Remember
Area IV Maui Jim Horse Trials and AEC's at Lamplight?? Let's get it all
back!!
The DuPage County Forest Preserve has a new Leadership Team
(President and Executive Director), and the new leaders are in the strategic
planning process. As part of their Land Use Strategy they are asking the public
how they want to use the Forest Preserves.
They are thinking that
Equestrian use of places like Pratt Wayne Woods (Old Maui Jim Cross Country and
Hunt Club use) Danada and St James Farm, is on the decline and they are
considering re purposing some of the forest preserve land based on public demand
(survey and town halls) to be used as Nature Preserves, Soccer Fields or Golf
Courses (if the public demand is higher for those uses than horseback riding).
The Equestrians NEED to respond to this survey if we want any chance of
maintaining our use of the Forest Preserve properties that have been designated
for Equestrian use.
Survey link:
http://www.dupageforest.org/survey/
The survey can be filled out by anyone. Also, it can be filled out
multiple times by the same person. It would be cheating to say that publicly,
but you can verbally spread the word to the your clubs, clients, hunt members,
family members and other Equestrians in your circle.
Can you join me in
sending this out to your network and ask them to share as well? Encourage
everyone to respond in favor of equestrian use, and to have friends and family
do the same- even if they do not live in IL (many people travel here for Horse
Trials, Hunts, Schooling and Pony Club Events).
Thanks for your
help!!! Every vote counts.
Our IL DuPage equestrian future depends on
the results of the Surveys and town hall meetings (please attend and speak up
for Equestrian use):
·
May 7, 7 – 9 p.m., Addison Village Hall, 1 Friendship Plaza, Addison
·
May 8, 7 – 9 p.m., Oak Brook Village Hall, 1200 Oak Brook Road, Oak Brook
·
May 14, 7 – 9 p.m., West Chicago City Hall • 475 Main St., West Chicago
We need to be a presence and let the DuPage County Forest
preserve know that some very important and influential constituents are
Equestrians and we want to be able to enjoy the land that was designated for our
use.
Yvonne
C. Ocrant