Where did the idea for a Trailhead come from?

In 2004 the Barrington Hills Park District was declared to be encroaching on Forest Preserve District of Cook County (FPDCC) property at the Spring Lake Preserve.  This story appeared in area newspaper headlines.  The District was notified that encroachments included the Fox River Valley Pony Club cross country jumps in the Forest Preserve, some extraneous structures left by the Fox River Valley Hunt, Riding Club of Barrington Hills trail markers, the road running behind the Polo Barn used for entering and exiting the Forest Preserve, and parking on Forest Preserve property.

The Forest Preserve District suggested that the Barrington Hills Park District propose an Intergovernmental Agreement with the Forest Preserve District of Cook County which would address the encroachments.  Although the Forest Preserve District would not enter an agreement with a private club, they were willing to consider an agreement with another government agency, The Barrington Hills Park District. 

An Advisory Committee of stakeholders was formed headed by Park District Commissioners Richard Lamkey and Fred McMorris.  Members of the committee were: Kathy Callard, Fox River Valley Pony Club, Julie McKevitt, Trustee, Village of Barrington Hills, Jan Nestrud, Fox River Valley Pony Club Horse Trials, Nancy Schmid, Park District Commissioner, Ginger Underwood, conservation, Dara Valin, Riding Club of Barrington Hills, and Patricia Wheaton, Illinois Dressage and Combined Training Association.  All stakeholders had input and provided comment while the Agreement was drafted.

A goal of the Intergovernmental Agreement was to preserve  the Pony Club cross country jumps and the Riding Club Trails under the auspices of an agreement between the Park District and Forest Preserve District.  Another important goal was to provide a designated parking area which meets Forest Preserve District approval so that Riding Center users, Forest Preserve users, and events held at the Riding Center could continue to park on Forest Preserve property behind the Polo Barn.  The Forest Preserve District allows parking only in areas designated by the Forest Preserve District and does not allow parking on grass.

The final draft was approved by the Cook County Board of Commissioners greatly assisted by Gregg Goslin, Cook County Board Commissioner.  The proposed Trailhead parking is a requirement of the Intergovernmental Agreement and is a requirement to be permitted to park on Forest Preserve property.

Read the Intergovernmental Agreement.

How would I have heard about the Trailhead Project?

The successful Intergovernmental Agreement was publicized in our newsletter.  Detailed discussion regarding the Trailhead took place over many years both at the Barrington Hills Park District meetings and the Riding Center Advisory Committee meetings.  Both of these entities hold open meetings and post agendas.  Discussion of the Trailhead has been on the Park District agenda as a very important item regularly since the formation of the Advisory Committee drafting the Intergovernmental Agreement.

Fall 2005 Newsletter

Winter 2006 Newsletter

How was the configuration of the parking area decided?

The parking area was designed based on needs of everyday users who use the Riding Center and the Forest Preserve, the needs of those staging events when renting the Riding Center, and requirements set by the Forest Preserve District of Cook County.  These needs were assessed by the Advisory Committee working on the Intergovernmental Agreement, The Advisory Committee for the Riding Center, and the Barrington Hills Park District Board of Commissioners.

Tell me about the Grant awarded to the Park District.

Barrington Hills Park District has been awarded a $108,000 Recreational Trails Program (RTP) Grant funded by the Federal Government and awarded and administered by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) to construct an Equestrian Trail Head behind the Barrington Hills Park District Riding Center on Forest Preserve District of Cook County's Spring Lake Preserve property.  The grant will pay up to 80% of the cost of the project (currently estimated to be $135,000) or $108,000.  The Equestrian Trailhead project is made possible through an Intergovernmental Agreement between the Forest Preserve District of Cook County and the Barrington Hills Park District. 

We believe one reason we were awarded the Grant is because the project is to open and protect equestrian trails which has been given the highest priority by the IDNR and the Illinois Greenways & Trails Council for use of the nonmotorized trail portion of annual RTP spending.

How long is the Grant money available?

The Grant expires on December 31, 2011.

Will the amount provided in the Grant cover the entire project?

No, the Park District anticipates needing to spend additional District funds to complete the project.  The Park District has been saving funds for this purpose.  The goal is to construct a highly functional and attractive Trailhead that will benefit and enhance the entire community.  This is a reimbursement grant.  The Park District will not receive any grant money from IDNR until the project is completed.

I am concerned about bicycles.  Have bicycles been addressed in the Intergovernmental Agreement and the Trailhead Project?

This is an on-going discussion.  In the Intergovernmental Agreement, The Forest Preserve District designated the Spring Lake Preserve as an equestrian facility for public recreational use subject to the rules and guidelines of the Forest Preserve District relating to trail usage, and agreed to maintain this designation throughout the term of the agreement.  The Park District very much wants the Trailhead to be restricted to equestrians, hikers, and conservationists in keeping with the nature and history of the Spring Lake Preserves and the designation in the agreement.  The Park District is supportive and thrilled with the nationally recognized restoration in progress at the Spring Lake Preserves. We unite with the conservation stake holders in working with the Forest Preserve District of Cook County to designate the Spring Lake Preserves for equestrians, hikers, and conservationists to preserve the unique character and history of these preserves.  The Barrington Hills Park District continues to work for this goal.

It has been a long time since the ideas for the Trailhead were conceived--can anything now be changed?

The Park District understands that it has been 6 years since the original encroachment crisis and today.  Many of you were not even participants at that time and may not relate to the extreme crisis we navigated.  So we understand that what was accepted as necessary at the time may not seem necessary now.  To that end, we are asking for Public Input via the web and also at the Public Hearing. 

But, can anything be changed?

Maybe.  After the Park District has considered the Public Input we will approach the Forest Preserve District of Cook County with any change requests.  However any changes will have to be approved by the Forest Preserve District of Cook County.

How would any changes affect the Grant?

Any changes would also have to be approved by the Grant Committee in Springfield.

Why did this take so long?

The Park District was declared to be encroaching in the Fall of 2004.  It took until October 2006 to conclude the successful Intergovernmental Agreement with the Forest Preserve.  It took until Winter 2008 to define the project and find the appropriate Grant and make application.  The Grant was awarded in June 2009. 

How can I provide my input to the Park District?

You may email the Park District at bcpdoffice@comcast.net, you may contact the Commissioners, and you may attend any of the public Park District meetings held at the Riding Center.

What happens if we don't build the Trailhead?

According to the Park District attorney, there is a strong argument that we are obligated to build the Trailhead.  Therefore, if we do not, the Forest Preserve District may assert its right to terminate the Agreement.  The Grant money would be lost, the ability to park on Forest Preserve District property might be lost, and the structures placed by the Riding Clubs (the Fox River Valley Pony Club and the Riding Club of Barrington Hills) on the Forest Preserve District property may have to be removed.  Therefore, we are taking Public Input regarding the configuration of the Trailhead and after the Park District reviews and analyzes the input we will approach the Forest Preserve District of Cook County to discuss possible options.

What is the cancellation term in the Intergovernmental Agreement?

Either party may cancel the Intergovernmental Agreement by giving at least 12 months advance written notice.