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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPacket - 9/12/2007 - Parks and Recreation Committee V. . _ . _ . .___r_. ..._. . _.__ ... -r_ __- _ ._..__ .. .- -... . . . . .. ...... . .. ..... .. .... . ... . ... . .... .__._ _-._ ` � / � 1 AGE�TDA Parks & Recreatian Committee Meeting Wednesday, Sep#ember �2, 200� McHenry 11�unicipal Center 7:0o pm 1�lderman's Conference Raom i. Discussion on Lc�ng�tange/Short Range Planning Goals 2. Review Preliminary Plans far Irish Prairie Park 3. Natural Resources Mar�agement Plan Update 4. Staff Reports A) Turf Restoration at Petersen Park Waterfront(F'load Damage� B) Report on Removal of Contaminated Soil at Petersen Fark C) Recreation Center Tours 5. New Business Next Meeting: Wednesday, Qctober i7, 200�—�:oo pm . . ; • . ��.�� " �� �� "", �'�., � �r�� .� .� ���.. c i:` , ,. ,,. .•� - 1— _ �: ,s-: �_.:�:; �..s�.- „ _ ysc�'...aec. _ �e..:� _. � Agenda Item #1 Discussion on Long Range/Short Range Planning Goals Attached is a tabulation of the responses received on the Long Range/Short Range Planning goals. The report shows the responses by staff and by Aldermen. A combined consensus is tabulated in the right hand column. Some recommendations from the Park and Open Space Master Plan received strong support for placement into either long range or short range goal categories. Many received a mixed ranking and could be considered in either category. In reviewing the results there are some interesting differences in how the staff and Aldermen assigned the planning goal to each recommendation. There were several recommendations that also received a mixed ranking by staff. We will discuss the results of this report. Staff would like to develop a list of recommended long range and short range planning goals to bring forward to the City Council at a future date. LONG RANGE/SHORT RANGE GOAL RANKINGS StafF Alderman Concensus Long Short Long Short Long Short GENERAL RECOMMENDATIONS Range Range Range Range Range Range 1. Revise Subdivision Control 8�Develoqment Ordinance to reflect the type of land to be dedicated as part of the land donation -- 6 -- 4 0 10 component of the ordinance. - Park land counted should be dry developable property capable of supporting active recreational activities. - Park land should be consistent with natural resource management objectives and useable for passive recreation andtrail or bicycle path connections. 2. Establish the Followinu Goal for Active Recreational Land 2 3 2 2 4 5 - Mini park and playgrounds -5%of total park lands - Neighborhood Parks-25% of total park lands - Community Parks-55% of total park lands - Open Space-20% of total park lands 3. Boone Creek Corridor Preservation 5 1 4 1 9 2 Acquire, preserve and connect stream corrridors, floodplains and wetlands along Boone Creek as an integral component of the City's Greenway/Linear Path system. 4. Bikewav Plan 3 2 2 3 5 5 - Continue development of City Bike Plan and expand or extend connections to or between existing park sites and City points of interest. - Expand connections between school sites and park sites. - The city Parks and Recreation Department should be the lead agency in developing additional bicycle and pedestrian connections. - Develop connections along Boone Creek between existing park and school sites and the existing Prairie Trail Regional Trail. 5. Green/Low Impact Development 4 2 4 0 8 2 The City has an opportunity to be a leader in "Green DevelopmenY'and Low Impact Development(LID). - Integrate numerous strategies with different stormwater Management functions. * Saves money * Makes sense * Protects water quality * Stabilizes degrading streams and lakes Staff Alderman Concensus Long Short Long Short Long Short - GENERAL RECOMMENDATIONS Range Range Range Range Range Range Park developments should include to the greatest extent possible the integration of green technology into park developments. 6. Develop an Athletic Field Compiex 5 1 -- 4 5 5 The existing athletic programs provided by the City and various affiliated athletic organizations utilize fields throughout the City. Many of the fields and facilities are in neighborhood parks. This kind of athletic activity is not always compatible with neighborhood park sites. These incompatibilities are due to: - Traffic ingress/egress - Access - Noise - Hours of Operation - Need for lighted facilities to extend playing time and increase available fields for games and practices. There is a need for additional baseball fields. The conslidation of these fields into a single location has many significant benefits. These benefits are programmatic, developmental and operational. 7. Addinq Liqhts to Existinq Fields -- 6 1 4 1 10 An alternative to adding fields and increasing the available resource in total numbers is to increase"time available"for a select number of existing fields. Park Improvements 1. Mini Parks 6 -- 5 -- 11 0 Acquire and develop mini parks of at least 1-acre in size in areas not served by an existing mini park. Expand facilities of parks located on perimeter of areas not serviced by mini parks to provide mini park type of recreational facilities. Staff Alderman Concensus Long Short Long Short Long Short ' GENERAL RECOMMENDATIONS Range Range Range Range Range Range 2. Pebble Creek Park * Develop shade sheiter near existing play area 4 3 1 3 5 5 * Develop barrier free access from streets to play area 1 5 1 3 2 8 * Add planting for visual interest and screening of park activities 4 2 3 1 7 3 3. East Beach Park * Develop play areas for toddlers and pre-teens 1 5 1 3 2 8 * Develop shade sheiter for play areas 5 1 1 3 6 4 * Provide regional trail-bikeway connection to Petersen Park picnic area and to Prairie Trail 2 2 1 3 3 7 * Improve lakefront area for viewing -- 6 1 3 1 9 4. Creekside Trail Park � * Replace playground eqiupment(completed) N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A * Develop barrier free access to playground (completed) N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A * Include additional court game opportunities, bocce and shuffleboard 6 -- 3 1 9 1 * Update and improve shelter 5 1 2 2 7 3 * Connect regional trail through park site 4 2 1 3 5 5 * Develop Creekside Trail Park as "trailhead"for regional trail access 5 1 1 2 5 3 * Improve ADA access from street to park(completed) N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A " Develop barrier free access from streets to play area 1 5 1 3 2 8 * Add planting for visual interest and screening of park activities 4 2 4 -- 8 2 5. Center Street Park * Improve ADA access from street to park -- 6 2 2 2 8 * Add shade shelter 5 1 3 1 8 2 * Add basketball/hard surface court 3 3 3 1 6 4 * Expand off-street parking along Center Street 5 1 2 2 7 3 * Acquire vacant lot to the West for addiitonal open play area 6 -- 3 1 9 1 * Develop neighborhood ball field with backstop for pick-up games 5 1 -- 4 5 5 * Develop perimeter trail/pathway system with exercise/fitness stations 6 -- 4 -- 10 -- * Develop landscape screenign and plantings around perimeter to screen and control access from south and west 6 -- 3 1 9 1 6. Freund Field * Add shade shelter to site 3 3 1 3 4 6 Staff Alderman Concensus Long Short Long Short Long Short - GENERAL RECOMMENDATIONS Range Range Range Range Range Range 7. North Oak Park '` Improve ADA accessibility -- 6 1 3 1 9 * Add backstop for bailgames 4 2 1 3 5 5 * Add walking/hiking path system 5 1 2 2 7 3 * Acquire vacant lot to the North for potential expansion to community park site 6 -- 2 -- 8 -- 8. Pheasant Vallev Park * Develop and protect bank fishing areas 5 1 4 4 9 1 * Develop interpretive trails for environmental education 5 1 3 1 8 2 * Develop off-street parking along Scully Drive 6 -- 3 1 9 1 '' Develop open passive play area for field sports or kite flying 3 2 3 1 6 3 9. Lakeland Park * Add additional off-street parking along Sunset Avenue 4 2 2 2 6 4 * Provide barrier free access to play area -- 6 2 2 2 8 * Provide trail/pathway access from existing preschool to existing play area 1 6 3 1 4 6 " Renovate basketball courts -- 6 2 2 2 8 * Improve baseball infield drainage 1 5 2 2 3 7 10.West Beach Park * Develop play area for toddlers and pre-teens 5 1 2 2 7 3 '' Develop shade shelter/restrooms for regional trailhead 6 -- 3 1 9 1 * Add landscape screening along property lines 5 1 3 1 8 2 * Develop shelter for picknicking 6 -- 1 2 7 2 * Use existing pathway for ice fishing access 5 1 -- 4 5 5 * Improve access for non-motorized boat launch access to McCullom Lake 3 3 2 2 5 5 " Improve shoreline with benches and pathways for passive viewing of lake 2 4 -- 4 2 8 Communitv Parks The existing community parks'service areas cover a majority of the City. 1. Cold Sprinqs Park * Parking lot improvements 6 -- 3 1 9 1 * Create second entrance for trail head from the north 4 2 3 2 7 4 * Add walking/hiking path system 2 3 2 3 4 6 * Develop interpretive trails throughout park 4 2 3 2 7 4 '' Initiate wetland restoration project on east side near Prairie Trail for environmental education 5 1 4 -- 9 1 * Develop regional trail connection from McHenry West High School West Campus to Prairie Trail 4 2 2 3 6 5 Staff Alderman Concensus Long Short Long Short Long Short - GENERAL RECOMMENDATIONS Range Range Range Range Range Range 2. Knox Park * Eliminate both ball fields 6 -- 3 1 9 1 Develop replacement fields at Fox Ridge at new Athletic Complex in SW Quad * Develop Aquatic Facilities Zero-depth pool Aquatic Center * Parking expansion for aquatic complex 6 -- 2 1 8 1 * Convert existing barn to environmental education center 6 -- 2 1 6 1 * Develop open picnicking areas adjacent ot aquatic center to expand program offerings 6 -- 2 1 8 1 '' Restore welands in northwest corner of site as part of environmental educations center exhibits 5 1 2 1 7 2 " Develop interpretive trails through woods 6 -- 1 2 7 2 * Develop winter sports opportunities siedding, toboggan run, tub runs on north face of hill 5 1 2 1 7 2 3. North Oak Park Addition * Expand North Oak Park+17 acres 5 1 2 2 7 3 * Develop as community park with mini park facilities 5 1 1 2 6 3 * Create access from Pine Drive 5 1 1 2 6 3 * Create access frrom the west on Blake Drive 6 -- 2 1 8 1 * Expand community pak service area to adequately serve entire NE Quad 6 -- 2 1 8 1 * Community park facilities: Potential ball field/sports field development Parking Concession stand/restroom Potential support facility location 4. Fox Ridqe Park-North * Football game&practice fields 5 1 2 1 7 2 * Create additional parking lots 4 2 1 2 5 4 * Add walking/hiking path system 4 2 1 2 5 4 * Designate dog park facility 5 -- 3 -- 8 -- * Expand park to the north and east towards Boone Creek 6 -- 2 -- 8 -- 5. Fox Ridqe Park-South * Create natural area 6 -- 2 1 8 1 * Add walking/hiking path system 4 2 1 2 5 4 " Create park extension to the south of Bull Valley Road 5 1 1 2 6 3 Staff Alderman Concensus Long Short Long Short Long Short ` GENERAL RECOMMENDATIONS Range Range Range Range Range Range 6. Whisperinq Oaks Park * Add walking/hiking path system 2 4 3 1 5 5 * Connection of regional trail through Whispering Oaks Park is critical connection in greenway trail from Boone Creek Golf Course to Prairie Trail 5 1 1 3 6 4 7. Althoff Park * Remove soccer fields -- 5 2 3 2 8 * Convert to passive activity 2 3 3 2 5 5 * Designate dog park facility 1 5 2 3 3 8 * Add walking path system 4 2 4 1 8 3 8. Petersen Park-Waterfront " Expand existing beach 4 1 4 1 8 2 * Develop dog beach along north shoreline 4 1 4 1 8 2 * Develop ice skating opportunity on small ilet pond, plow and groom ice during winter 1 4 1 4 2 8 '` Continue equestrian operation in existing buildings 3 2 3 2 6 4 * Develop overlow parking for special events east of Prairie Trail 3 2 4 1 7 3 9. Petersen Park-Athltic Fields -South * Develop additional soccer/sports fields to replace Althoff soccer fields 3 3 1 4 4 7 * Add additional parking 3 3 2 3 5 6 * Develop additional restrooms for new soccer/sports fields 3 3 2 3 5 6 * Create open unstructured play space for kites, Frisbee, star-gazing and cros-country skiing 4 5 3 2 7 4 * Add shade shelters to site 4 2 2 3 6 5 * Pond development and passive area at south boundary 3 3 3 2 6 5 10. Petersen Park- Historic Farm * Renovate farmhouse for living history interpretive center 3 3 2 3 5 6 '` Initiate wetlands resotration north of farmstead to improve water quality discharging to alek and for environmental education component of living history farm 4 2 3 2 7 4 '` Create an agricultural/history learning center 4 2 2 3 6 5 '' Develop historic farm agricultural fields eat side of park 6 -- 4 1 10 1 * Develop special events parking west of farmstead 6 -- 2 3 8 3 * Develop special events area sensitive to FAP 420 righ-of-way 6 -- 3 2 9 2 Staff Alderman Concensus Long Short Long Short Long Short - GENERAL RECOMMENDATIONS Range Range Range Range Range Range 11. Petersen Park- Picnic Area * Convert existing tennis courts to in-line hockey rink 4 1 1 3 5 4 * Develop trail connection from Prairie Trail to Shore Drive through Park 3 3 -- 4 3 7 * Connect to East Beach Park-west 3 3 -- 4 3 7 * Develop trailhead for Prairie Trail 3 3 1 3 4 6 Oqen Space 1. Boulder Creek Park * Heavily forested 6 -- 4 -- 10 -- * Add walking/hiking path system 6 -- 2 2 8 2 * Create on-site parking 5 1 3 1 8 2 2. Wheeler Park '' Develop interpretive trail system around perimeter of fen 3 3 2 3 3 6 * Develop off-street parking 4 2 2 3 6 5 * Develop trail connection from northeast to Green Street to Miller Road and connect to Moraine Hills State Park 4 2 5 -- 9 2 3. Brookside Trail Park * Add interpretive nodes to trail 4 2 3 1 7 3 " Add seating/rest areas along path 2 4 3 1 5 5 * Use parking in adjacent parking lot 4 2 3 1 7 3 4. New Subdivision Park Development The City, as part of the sudivision Control and Development ordinance has adopted an ordinance related to the number of accres per population as a standard. The city should modify or amend the ordinance to include specifications for park land donation related to the"quality"of the park sites. -- 6 1 4 1 10 5. Greenway Park Development Acquire and preserve Boone Creek Corridor between Illinois Route 120 and Fox Ridge Park. This acquisition could continue and extend trail connections and provide a greenway connection and provide a greenway connection from Boone Creek Golf Course to Illinois Route 120 to MCCD Prairie Trail. 5 1 1 3 6 4 Staff Alderman Concensus Long Short Long Short Long Short • GENERAL RECOMMENDATIONS Range Range Range Range Range Range 6. Gravel Pit and Mininq Area There is an existing aggregate mine in the northern half of the SW Quad. This mining is currently active, with operations on both sides of Illinois Route 120. This site or a pat of the site is a potential active recreation site. As the mine is reclaimed, an active recreation site could be developed as the adaptive re-use of the quarry. 6 -- 4 1 10 1 7. Golf Courses Golf courses are sometimes used as a teechnique to temporarily"bank" land until such time as either the golf operation isno longer a viable entity or until such time as development pressure makes the golf course land worth more than the golf operation. 6 -- 4 1 10 1 NOTE: Not all ranking numbers are equal. Some goals were not marked on all submittals. � Agenda Item #2 Review Preliminary Plans for Irish Prairie Park Attached are two preliminary concept plans for Irish Prairie Park. 3D Design Studio has met with staff and has prepared two site plans for this future park site facilities shown in these concept plans are typical to a neighborhood park and would serve the recreational needs of this new development. The playground apparatus in this plan is designed for older children (5-�2 years old). There are other tot lot (2-5 years old) play sites being installed in this subdivision by the developer. The homeowners association will own and maintain the small mini parks and open space areas within this development. Staff has reviewed these plans and would like to discuss some slight modifications with the Parks and Recreation Committee. Comments and any recommended changes will be shared with 3D Design for them to incorporate into a final draft of this proposed park site. � Bike Rack Irish Prairie Park DR � '""�� � ��� �, \ Full Court Basektball P��U-�� Conce tP1anA ` Drinking Fountain P � '� � 8.31.07 f� � ...._... ,...,.. , . ___._..---__ _ ,.._ ___—__ � � _. ._ , �...� -.._ _. ,� � � y ___._ .. . .� ____��_. _,_ �� i ° � '', � 4 � `�—Proposed y��, . � Sidewalk � � a d � �`=: � ; a ` ' O � �; Open Play Area `, '•,...._�� � � �__ _....._._ ---....... _.._ __...._ _ _.__._ _.._.. _.......___- _w ... �_... � _ � � Gas Line ` �� � Easement \`, �`�, . �, �� , < _ � � _......__..._ _........... , __ ... . � ; --.....___... _..._......_.�_. � � ,........_.._......... � �`,� ` r'� .`! ..a..!� 9 i- _ -/�, 'i '� ; ��"y � � � /"" ,� 'Park Sign and i,, � ' ��� � Landscape � ��,�j � � � Proposed �� 10' Bike Path '� Earthen Berm Evergreen Trees,Typ. �>� ; %�� Shade Trees, Typ. Omamental Trees,Typ. � � ,''� � , 20'x 30'Shelter _ /" i ,\,\ ,' % Trash Receptacle,Typ. �`.`.� / 9� �--\ � / Bike Rack � � � / � `� `,,, / �'�;� �' 5-12 Playground �'�, \ / �` ' ���/ Benches, Typ. i� �� `:,, Property Line �J \ ,�' ;� � ' i J`V��` s�a n.enrtrson e�w. O � � //' / � �- 6RATSLAKE.IL 60030 � ` Ml.]39.IB91 �' � ! � j� V��� O 25 50 ]S 100 H41313.1H4�(FA%/ j� �- Q 9ddesignaWdio�9Ede51gnywdio.com .\ \ Bike Rack � �'~ � € �--�--�,� � ��� .� �—Fuil Court Basektball PRK�o�° Irish Prairie Park � �,;� r.� Drinking Fountain Concept Plan B i � , � . � �,,, � � '�� - ,_ _ . �. 8.31.07 � ____... _ .... . . ______. _ �� � � � — — m `i (� � ; �""� � Proposed � * �°� '�_Sidewalk � t ? a d `�, O �, � � �'l O t 1 O en Pla Area �`,, �':,.__�Z_... �__........_ � �_ ... _.........._. p ...._._..._y ______... _......__.._. ____....._ _�.._. . __........... _..... ; , _...... ........._. _....._...._. __..._.._..._, : � � Gas Line ` �� � Easement \�'�, `:; . ` } ... . _.._. ___....._._ , __.... , . _..__....._. �_............. , . � ; ___ . : �y� � l �" � � � .. y . -;� �....:�.,...,....�.. ;.,.,..... Park Sign and \ ' j Landscape 0�, 1` �,� Proposed ;��- ;"�r��� 10' Bike Path ` \��"� �Earthen Berm '� ;� �> ,% • Evergreen Trees,Typ. �`�� ;^` ,, � ;'" ,�� Shade Trees,Typ. Ornamental Trees,Typ. ' �' ,'� �" Benches, Typ. \,` ��Trash Receptacle, Typ. ����; / 9� a 20' Hex Shelter �� � �� � ' Bike Rack �'cn � / �' 5-12 Playground <� Property Line \ ,' ;�� �� �Q,``,. � :��QS'�� \ 539 N.6ARROli gLVp. f � GRAYSLAKE.IL 60030 �; ' 'i i� � J� e.,,.�,e9i �� �� O 25 50 '!S 100 941.3]3.109](F.V() � J/ 3deeelgnswebe3eees�grotueio.com AGENDA ITEM #3 Natural Resources Management Plan Update Discussion to focus on future projects to budget for in the 2008-2009 budget process. Hey&Associates,lnc. in 2004 and 2005 prepared a report for the city of McHenry on the Natural Resources and Management Plans for five selected parks in the city .Using this guide staff would like to recommend three projects for consideration of funding in the 2008/2009 budget. • Foxridge Park-Boone Creek Corridor • Wheeler Fen � Petersen Park Hey arld Associates, Inc. 04185 RESOURCE SUMMARIES AND MANAGEMENT PLANS FOR CITY OF MCHENRY NATUR.AL AREAS (PETERSEN HISTORIC PARK, MILLERS RNER FRONT PARK, WHEELER PARK, COLD SPRINGS PARK& FOX RIDGE PARK� PREPARED FOR: CITY OF MCHENRY Parks & Recreation Department 333 South Green Street McHenry,Illinois 60050-5495 February 2005 26575 W. COMMERCE DRIVE,Sz�zTE'G01, Yozo,Iz,r.nvozs 60073 OFFrcE(84�740-0888FAx(847)740 2888 Hey and Associates, Inc. INTRODUCTION The City of McHenry has experienced population growth and community development similar to that in other municipalities in this region. To its credit, McHenry has worked to save the last vestiges of its natural heritage by protecting and managing parcels of land which contain many of the natural resources seen by the first settlexs to arrive in the 1830's. Many of these parcels are wetlands. Pxotecting them not only preserves plants and animals unique to wetland communities but also provides the human population with flood control,water purification,and water storage. By comparison, many of the uplands of the tegion have faired quite poorly, as groves of majestic oaks lost their native understory grasses and flowers to the constant trampling and foraging by cattle by the later 1800's, and the verdant and beautiful praities were completely elim.inated by conversion to cropland even earlier. Nevertheless,Yemnant fields and hardwood gYoves still provide habitat for several native animals, and together with the Yemnants of wetland vegetation, preserve pieces of the past for themselves and for our education and enjoyment. Restoration offers the possibility to repair much of the past damage and bring back many missing pieces of our heritage. On the parcels protected, we can look forward to larger and higher quality ecosystems reassembled with the tools of restoration. Among these tools are prescribed burning (which mimics natural fires), removal of adventive trees and brush, weed control with proper herbicides, water table restoration by tile and ditch modification, and seeding or planting of native species grown or collected from the wild. This report describes when and where these techniques can be applied on five McHenry park properties and defines the pxesent state and long term ecological goals for each site. The distribution of the parcels owned and managed by the McHenry Parks and Recreation Department is shown in Exhibit 1. A list of their total acreages is given in Table 1 below. 1 Hey and Associates, Inc. Table 1: Natural Habitats, City of McHenry Parks Name Total Acreage Site A Petersen PaYk 127 acres Site B Millers River Front Park 56 acres Site C Wheeler Park 32 acres Site D Cold Springs Park 46 acres Site E Fox Ridge Park 63 acres The total acYeage for all 5 sites is 324 acres. Neaxly half of that acreage is fallow faxmland on the Petersen Historic Farm, so the management needed to restore these sites is not ovenuhelming by restoration standards. A number of resources are available in this report to interpret each site's natural character and determine its restoration needs. The National Wetland Inventory Maps in Exhibit 2 show where palustrine wetlands occur. They axe those outlined areas whose symbol sequence begins with a "P". Palustrine wedands are marshes and native wet meadows (sedge meadows and wet prairies). The other letter designations give information on the type of vegetation or substrate. For individual park sites, the NWI defines the approximate boundaxies and locations of wetTands. In Exhibit 3, the McHenry County Advanced Identification of Wedands (ADID) maps and documents provide additional information on the location and shape of local wetlands. These data, both mapped and written, were collected in 1996. The written information accompanying the maps includes descriptions of natural communities present, their quality, management pYoblems and needs, and a plant species list from 1996 field work. This list includes the entire ADID wetland. All of this information can be useful in preparing a restoration plan for each paYk. Exhibit 4 contains plant lists from each of the plant community aYeas defined by Hey and Associates, Inc. in the field in 2004. Each list gives both common and scientific names for each native plant species discovered, along with a number or rating called the "coefficient of conservatism". This number is a measure of a species' fidelity to natural low-disturbance ecological conditions. Two numbers are important to focus upon when using this system to estimate community quality. These are the "native mean C "and the "native FQI." These values are 2 Hey and Assocrates, Inc. calculated for the entire plant list, excluding the exotic species. Both C and FQI are the mean rated quality and floristic quality index, respectively. The higher the value of these numbers the higher is the natural community quality and the lower is the amount of historic human disturbance for the site being evaluated. Exhibit 5 maps and describes the hydric soils fox each of the parks. These soils determine the type of wetland natural communities that should be the target of restoration and management. Loamy wet soils, for example, would support a wet prairie,while muck soils tend to support a fen or sedge meadow, especially if fed by groundwater. Exhibit 6 divides each of the five sites into restoYation units,based partly on soils and hydYology,but prunarily on existing vegetation as descYibed in the field and in Exhibit 4. These vegetation maps were drawn by interpreting the landscape, vegetation composition, and quality of the plant communities, and applying knowledge of how different land uses affect each natural community. These maps are potential templates for site management plans. They may also be modified to reflect post-management changes which combine,increase, or decrease restoration units. A comprehensive set of photographs was taken and is displayed in Exhibit 7. An attempt was made to photograph each unit of each site as a record for future reference and to show the present condition of each area. Future photographs can then document any changes brought about by site management progYams. SITE RESOURCES AND MANAGEMENT PLANS Site A Petersen Park Petersen Patk is a 127-acre parcel located along the east side of McCollum Lake Road where it crosses the McHenry County bicycle path. For this study, it has been divided into 7 management units (see Exhibit 6-A) which xeflect starkly diffexent land use histories. Most of the land is faYmed in row crops. The oak woodlands are heavily pastuYed and contain ground cover species tolexant of disturbance. Narrow uncultivated strips of land (areas 3 and 5 in Exhibit 6-A) are dominated by a few alien species, indicating past farming. One exception is Unit 2, which contains a number of remnant wet prairie forbs. The best parcel of remnant native vegetation is Unit 7. Its native mean C 3 , Hey and Associates, Itic. is 3.7 and native floristic quality index FQI is 22, placing this paxcel in the moderate native vegetative quality range. The area is a sinall (apptox. 5 acres) sedge nneadow dominated by tussock sedge with a few Yemnant plants of big bluestem and prairie cord gxass and at least 10 indicator species of this wedand community. Management Yecommendations for Unit 7 (and adjacent Unit 6) include brush cutting, especially the buckthoxns, red-osier dogwood and sandbax willow; frequent prescribed burning; heYbicide treatment of reed canary grass patches; and seeding of native sedge meadow forbs and gYasses thYoughout,but especially in areas where bluegrass has supplanted tussock sedge. The harder decisions relate to how the other, mosdy agricultural, lands are to be used in the future. A couple of pYe-arranged land uses preclude the use of land by the City. IDOT's FAP 420 traverses the easte�n part of Petersen Park. Also, a mitigation wetland was constructed on hydric soils at site as compensation for wedand filling by McHenry Savings & Loan. Finally, the unmanaged right-of- ways on the west border of the park will continue to be a source of invasive plant forest edge species impinging on any restoYed communities. Given these potential constraints, there are at least two possibilities for park use. Since the area is known as Petersen "Historic" Farm, it may be appropriate to operate the site as a farm from the turn of the century pe�iod in McHenry's history. Current open faYm land could be converted to a historical mix of pasture, hay, and a variety of other crops. Oak groves could hold the living quarters and associated farm buildings, as well as serve as additional pasture. A second option would be to restore the entire block of farmed and grazed areas to the mosaic of prairies, wetlands, and savannas which were present at the time of EuYopean setdement. The oak groves would need to be thinned (canopy), any invasive brush cut and treated with Garlon 4 (wintex) or 3A (summer), and seeded with a mix of characteristic savanna plants (see Appenclix 8.3), with some native savanna shrubs such as hazelnut, New Jersey tea, lead plant, and prairie willow. The vast open area currently fallow or in corn or soybeans should be conveYted to native grassland, a mixtuxe of upland prairie and wet pYairie/sedge meadow according to soil type (see Exhibit 5-A). Appendices 8.1 and 8.2 give standard m�es of upland and lowland prairie, respectively. The large area occupied by this grassland restoration should provide sufficient habitat to support several declining pYairie bird species such as bobolink. An interpretive trail winding through all three communities could act as an excellent educational and recreational amenity, paxticularly since it would not traverse native wedands. 4 , Hey ar�d Associates, Ir�c. Site B Millets River Front Park Millers R.iver Front Park is a 56-acre wedand located on the north side of Millex Road and the Fox Rivex, on the river's west side. The river forms this park's entixe eastern boundary. It has been divided into 9 management units, yet most of the site is classified as wedand. The basis for this determination is the ADID wetland map 3-B and the text which follows it, listing sedge meadow and wet prairie as the predominant communities. Add to this Units 4 and 7,which are largely cattail maxsh, and the area is a complex of wet pxairie, sedge meadow, and emergent maxsh. This is further corroborated by the site's soil types,with the four covering most of the site classified as hydric (see Exhibit 5-B). The ADID study in 1996 compiled a list of 62 plant species, covering the entire site and giving it a mean C of 5.74 and an FQI of 45.21. These are very high values and make NLiller RiveY Front Park worthy of xestoration efforts which add to and preserve this condition. "I'he individual community units (see Exhibit 6-B) indicate this need,as their plant lists,compiled in 2004, all have lower mean C values and FQI's. In fact,within the nucleus of the best wedand Units —3, 5, 6, 7 (see Exhibit 6-B) — the mean C values are approximately 4.0 and the typical FQIs aYe around 20.0 (see Exhibit B lists 3 and 5-7). This does not lower the site's value as a wedand natuYal aYea, but indicates that without restoration/management work the wedand will disintegrate into small natural areas of lesser quality. The primary management need at Miller River Front Park is brush removal. Both exotic and invasive native brush and trees have established a "canopy" oveY much of Units 3, 5, and 6 and have reduced the gYass/sedge dominant wetland community to openings or ground cover in thickets of willow, dogwood, and buckthorn. Brush removal should begin immediately and can be carried out in winter or summer. Winter and frozen ground offer the opportunity to use cutting machinery. In all cleared aYeas, cut stumps should be treated with the herbicides Garlon 3A (sumnler) and Garlon 4 (wintex). After a few years of brush removal and build up of a grass/sedge matrix in manageable openings,prescribed burns can be conducted to keep the restored communities open. Units 4 and 7 are solid cattail maxshes which can be buxned carefully now. This probably will not control narrow- leaved cattail, especially in Unit 4 where the silt load from the Fox River accumulates and promotes cattail growth. Glyphosate (Rodeo) herbicide at a 1.5% concentration can be used to Yeduce cattail density in both Units 4 and 7. The same strategy will be needed to control common reed and reed canary grass in Unit 6. Purple loosestrife has also invaded and spread in Miller Park. 5 � Hey arld Assoclates, Inc. The purple loosestrife infestation was so bad that McHenry introduced beetles (Gallerucella.rpp.) For control purposes, this has been a successful venture, and the beedes have established a permanent population and have spread in Units 6 and 8. Depending on the beetles' degree of control of the loosestrife infestation, consideYation should be given to introducing additional beetle populations. In any case, Rodeo hexbicide should not be used in a loosestrife colony containing viable beetle populations. It is not known whether past attempts have been made to lower the park's water table. A ditch in Unit 6 is probably draining the wetland and should be filled. An examination for tile lines both in the field and at the McHenry Counry Soil&Water Conservation District office may confirm or deny the presence of tiles. If present,they can be dismanded with a small backhoe. A number of uses have been proposed for MilleY Park,including a trail network in the north part of Unit 5, an observation platform and wood duck boxes in Unit 7, canoe launch, fishing access, and duck boxes in Unit 3. As already stated, the hydric soils and quality areas of vegetation at this site place certain constraints on development. It is probably wisest to separate the heavy use axea from the natural area. Area 8 is on the fringe of the site and is pYobably a good location for a boat launch. An interpretive trail will have to be a boardwalk, staxting at the southwest corner of the parking lot and continuing westward to an observation platfoYm on the pond margin in Unit 7. Wood duck nest baxes can be placed in this pond. The return boardwalk would then pass through the marsh and wet meadow furthex north and end at the center of the parking lot. Interpretive signs and bxochures would be desitable at the beginning of the trail and at places along the boardwalk, such as at the juncture between two natural communities. Site C Wheelex Park Wheeler Park is a 32-acre open gxassland at the northeast corner of Green and Miller Streets. Prior to acquisition by the City of McHenry, this rolling area served primaxily as a cattle pasture. Row crop agYiculture was restricted to one low flat area in Units 8 and 10 which were only recently taken out of agricultural production. The National Wetlands Inventory map (Exhibit 2-C) and ADID map (Exhibit 3-C) indicate that a broad oblong wetland extends from the southwest corner of the property to its northeast corner. The soil map (Exhibit 5-C) shows two wedand soil types flanking each other for the extent of the wedand. Wedand "footprints" mark points where groundwatet emanates from below ground to the surface. This rare community is known as a "fen", a wetland created and maintained by the continuous near subsuxface flow of cold mineralized groundwater. 6 Hey atid Assocrates, Inc. Wheeler Fen lacks many of the normal plant indicators of fens, such as grass-of-parnassius (Parna.r�ia glauca) and small fringed gentian (Gentiana procera). The reason for this is dehydxation, as evidenced by numerous tiles found scattered about in the fen, in some cases carrying a rivulet of water which becomes a surface stream. Some of these small streams are, and may be here, a r�atural component of fens. Wheeler Paxk is divided into 10 evaluation units (see Exhibit 6-C). Fens occur in both Units 1 and 4. Unit 1 is fairly degraded, but contains some wet prairie and sedge meadow plants. Unit 4 has a much longer list of plants from wet prairies and sedge meadows. It has a mean C value of 3.6 and an FQI of 20.8, indicating moderate to good natural quality. The dominant plant in this unit is tussock sedge (Carex.rlricta), a plant more tolerant of grazing and a lowered water table than typical fen sedges and grasses. Tiles and seepage were obsezved in the Unit 4 fens in at least 4 locations. The uniqueness of fens and their known ability to recover from artificial drainage makes Unit 4 the highest pxioYity for management. A search for all tile lines and their break-up with a small backhoe, or shovel if the area of disturbance will be too great, is most important. This should be followed by triennial prescribed burning in conjunction with adjacent units, such as Units 5 and 7. Unit 1 should be second in priority and Yeceive the same prescription as Unit 4,with the exception that the upper parts of the Unit 1 fen are filled with adventive brush. This should be cut and the stumps treated in winter when damage would be least. CaYe should be taken to avoid damaging the fen community during cutting. Both Units 4 and 1 require herbicide tYeatrnent of reed canary grasses colonies. With the exception of Unit 7, which contains some native wedand plants, all of the other units are dominated by EuYasian meadow grasses and forbs and disturbance tolerant natives, i.e. they are old fields. One exception is Unit 9 which is an adventive foxest dominated by large box elders (Acer negundo) and Siberian elms (Ulmu.r pumila). The only management recommendation for this unit is the treatment of garlic mustard with 2%glyphosate (Roundup) herbicide. The other units should be restored to mesic or wet prairie. See Appendices 1 and 2 for appropriate seed lists for mesic and wet prairie, respectively. Units 5, 6, 2, 3, and the southwest part of 7 are on topographic and edaphic uplands. They should be cleared of invasive brush and seeded to mesic pxairie. Units 5 and 7 should be completed first in ordex to restore a complete fen — prairie complex with Unit 4 and to buffer Unit 4 from invasive species. Finally, the remainder of Unit 7 should be cleared of invasive brush and seeded with wet prairie. Parts of the middle of Unit 7 have two spring Yuns or tile 7 Hey and Associates, Inc. blowouts. These should be checked for tiles and the original hydrology xestored by tile xemoval if they are pYesent. Unit 8 should be planted to mesic prairie, and Unit 10 should be planted to wet mesic prairie. Because much of Wheeler Paxk is not wedand, the oppoxtunity exists for a long trail system which functions as both a hiking trail and an interpretive trail for the fen and prairie restoxations. Assuming that the parking lot is on the west edge of the property, a trail could run northeast through Unit 5 and then cut across the northernmost patt of Unit 4 where there is actually much upland (not shown). The trail could then loop through Units 3 and 8,a small part of 7 which is wet, and across the long axis of Unit 6 back to the beginning. In this small paxt of 7 and all of 6,the trail should have boardwalks crossing (Unit 7) or leading to ([Jnit 6) spring fed areas. This is especially true for Unit 6 where shoYt partial boardwalks can lead to sloping fens in Unit 4. Tile removal must be done to restore these areas' original hydrology. All of the interpretive stops should have signage explaining the ecology and hydrology unique to fens. Another possibility would be a scattering of bluebird nest boxes, especially in Units 5, 8, and 10. The numbers of bluebirds and the swallows using boxes and gYassland birds using the restoYed praiYies should be monitored (perhaps by local volunteer birdeYs) to track the success of prairie restoration at Wheeler Paxk. Sirrvlarly, transect sampling of the recovering fen vegetarion in Unit 4 will determine whether any drain tile disruprion ox other hydYological restoration has improved the fen. It is likely that a seed bank e�sts in the cuYrent soil and rehydrating the soils should cause several native species to germinate from remnant seed bank and become part of the fen again. Site D Cold Springs Park Cold Springs Park is a 46-acre area split into 2 operationally separate parcels bordering the west side of the Union Pacific Railroad in the south part of the City of McHenry. Access is from Walkup Road to the west (see Exhibit 6-D). The site is divided into 7 units, six in the north parcel and one in the disjunct south parcel. T'he NWI wetland map (Exhibit 2-D), ADID map (Exhibit 3-D), and especially the soil map indicate that disjunct parcel 7 and at least the southeastern half(more on the soils map) of Units 1-6 are wetlands, primarily sedge meadows and wet prairies. This once large, open wet grassland has been artificially drained to varying degrees and heavily pastured well into the past. After agricultural operations ceased,invasive trees and shrubs colonized the site and broke the once continuous wedand into a series of smaller sedge meadows/wet prairies separated by thickets 8 Hey and Associates, Inc. and small trees. The sources of these woody plants were the uplands in the north and west part of the site and small scattered copses of dogwoods and other shrubs in the wetlands themselves. The species lists (Exhibit 4D) and mean C and FQI values for Units 2, 3, and 5 indicate that these axe moderate to good quality sedge meadows. Those values axe 3.9, 3, 7, and 3.4 foY mean C, and 23.5, 22.4, 21.5 for FQI, respectively. The primary goal of management here should be to reconnect and reopen these three units to resurrect the extensive wetland that once existed here. The southern part of Unit 4 will have to be cleaYed of its adventive forest and seeded with wet pYairie seed (see Appendix 2). Meanwhile, dense brush and trees will have to be cleaYed from much of Unit 5,which should ultimately be burned on a biennial basis. Units 2 and 3 need some brush control, but are ready for burning now. Treatment of reed canary grass with glyphosate (Round-up) is needed in Unit 2 to prevent its spread. Not only is the restoration of the Unit 2-3-5 wedand of very high priority, but so also is the management of Unit 7. Although it is disjunct, it has enough inherent quality,with a mean C of 3.3 and an FQI of 20.3, to merit a high priority for management, primarily brush control. It is a bit more difficult to assign restoration goals for Units 1, 4 (mosdy north and west), and 6 since they play no role in the resurrection of a wedand. Parts if not all of each are on upland soils (see Exhibit 5-D). Unit 6 is an old field dominated by weedy natives and Eurasian grasses and forbs, and has only 9 native species. One option is to seed it to mesic prairie, an upland prairie complementary to the remnant wedands. The third and lowest priority is the adventive woodlands in Units 1 and 4. Since they will always be a threat to the wedand, transpiring water from the area and acting as marginal shade and a source of invasive woody plants, it would be best in the long term to remove the trees and restore the area to prairie. This can wait until the higher quality axeas are restored. From the perspective of wildlife populations this may be more important, since the edge species living in the tree-shYub areas will compete, and already do compete, with the wedand species being promoted by open wedand restoration. Recreational use of the Cold Spxings PaYk natural area will be difficult since so much of it is wedand. However, a loop trail beginning at the parking lot in the southwest corner, where a parking lot is already located, could have a northerly leg passing through Units 1, 2, and 4, encircling 3, and retuxning to the parking lot via the northerly leg. Boardwalks or planks will be needed in those areas of the sedge meadow which flood to a depth over a few inches. 9 Hey and Associates, Inc. Site 5 Fox Ridge Park Fox Ridge PaYk is a 63-acre wedand straddling both sides of Boone Creek above and below the Dartmoor Drive bridge. It has been divided into 3 units (see Exhibit 6-E), one on either side of the bridge, and an extra axea (here Unit 2) on the southeast cornex of Unit 1 along Darttnoor Drive. For the purpose of this analysis,Unit 2 will be considered part of Unit 1. Most of Fox Ridge Park is in close proximity to subdivisions or will be when the remaining farmland is developed. The implications of this land use change for site management will be discussed later. Portions of Fox Ridge Paxk are a true natural area consisting of a highly valued aquatic resource (grade B stream) bordeYed by moderate qualiry sedge meadows for much of its length. There appear to be few areas where the stream banks are eroded. There are old meander scars, or abandoned creek channels, dominated by marsh and sedge meadow vegetation. Areas of native sedge meadow form the pYevalent gtound coveY. However, there are places dominated by shrub thickets composed of willows, xed-osier dogwood, or buckthorn, and others where the graminoid cover is Yeed canary grass. There axe also narrow strips of upland on the east side dominated by old field plants. These disturbed areas will be discussed later. The highest priority for pxotection and management at Fox Ridge is Boone Creek. Few streams of this size (2nd OY 3`d oxder) in Illinois have such a high qualiry rating and diversity of fish species. A fish survey by the McHenry County Conservation Distsict in 1995 just south of Fox R.idge and north of Bull Valley Road, captuxed 18 species, of which sevexal axe pollution intoleYant. Most noteworthy was the mottled sculpin, a cold-water bottom dweller, of which 48 were captured. The IBI for this sample was 48, a high B rating. A second fish survey on Boone Creek was conducted by MCCD in summer 1995 in Whispering Oaks Park off Route 120. This survey, in an urban setting, captured 24 species, again with several pollution intolexant species. Most noteworthy here was the diversity of species,pYesence of 6 darter species, and the IBI of 54. This numbeY gives Boone Creek a very high quality grade A stream rating. Collectively, the data from both points indicate that this stream reach, from Bull Valley Road to Rte. 120,is an exceptional natural resouxce making it worthy of protection from bank erosion and urban runoff. The wetland vegetation bordering the stream in Fox Ridge PaYk is primarily tussock sedge dominated meadow with a moderate diversity of indicator species. Examples include gxeat angelica 10 Hey arid Associates, Inc. (Angelica atropur�urea), swamp aster (A.rter puniceus), spotted Joe Pye weed (Eupatorium maculatum), mountain mint (Pycnanthemum virginianum), and cup plant (Silphium perfoliatum), among several other wetland plants. Divexsity and quality appear highest in Unit 1, as it is less broken by Yeed canary grass and invasive shrubs. While these sedge meadows are only rated C (or moderate) quality, they are still intact wedands which can unprove with management. They buffer Boone Creek, helping maintain its quality, and form what is becoming a rare entity in northeastern Illinois — a native complex of stream and streamside communities. A number of management tasks are necessary to preserve the natural resources at Fox Ridge Park. The first is to examine Boone Creek for its entixe length in the City to inspect for exoded banks. Those small areas that do exist should be stabilized using native vegetation. This should not be an overwhelrning task, as the 2004 field visits to the site found mostly creek segments that were at the same level as the banks. Reed canary grass e�sts as scattered colonies throughout Fox R.idge. Its extent should be limited by application of 2% Rodeo to all colonies. While invasive native and alien brush are not yet foYming a mantle over the entire area, enough shrub and tree copses and individuals exist to merit complete removal of these plants, in conjunction with stump treattnent with Garlon 3A or Garlon 4, depending on the season. Prescribed burning may ensue at any time, using the creek as one fisebreak and Dartmoor Drive as the othex. This essential technique will require special notification of all neighbors,noting whether any suffer from respiratory diseases such as asthma. Areas of upland and lowland Eurasian meadow grasses need to be convexted to prairie. Hey & Associates has alseady planted, monitored, and managed a wetland mitigation area west of the creek and south of Dartmoor Drive to wet prairie and has established well. Upland Eurasian meadows occurxing above the wetland on the west side bordexing the subdivision should be restored to mesic prairie. The seed mixes given in Appendices 1 and 2 and the soil map in Exhibit 5-E will help guide the prairie restorations. Finally, The McHenry Parks DepaYtrnent should consider protecting the remaindex of Boone Creek south of Fox Ridge to Bull Valley Road and north of Fox Ridge to WhispeYing Oaks Park. This action and the education of neighbors about the quality and uniqueness of Boone Cxeek and its wetlands will do much to preserve these resources for the future. 11 Hey and Associates, Inc. CONCLUSION A review of the five sites discussed in this report indicates that every one of them has remnants of our natural heritage. It is the acreage, community type, site quality, and restorability which differentiate these sites from one another and enable the McHenry Parks and Recreation Department to best manage the land entrusted to them. By looking closely at the natural resources on these properties, one can establish management priorities among them. • Fox Ridge Paxk is first on the list because it has a combination of a high quality, unique stream and a naturalized ripatian community composed of native, intact wetlands. Additional stream and native wetland vegetation, mostly sedge meadow, which harboxs a number of habitat-restricted invertebrates, occur for miles both downstream and upstream. In fact, Boone Creek leads a11 the way to Bull Valley where it wends its way through larger moYe diverse wetland complexes. The possibility exists that an entire corridor along Boone Creek could be protected and restoYed from Bull Valley to Whispering Oaks Park. Fox R.idge itself will be a model in this network, as brush control, reed canary grass control, and contxolling urban storm run-off illusttate how a high quality stream can be protected in an urban setting. • Second on the priority list is Wheelex Park because it has a tare fen complex requiring hydrological restoration and protection. Tile seaxching and xemoval should be capable of bringing back the original vegetation that is dependent on the constant subsuxface flow of mineYalized cold water. There are only small areas of bxush to contxol here. The restoration of upland meadows to prairie will complete a good-sized pxai�ie — fen complex with excellent educational potential because of the ease of laying out a trail that cxosses or abuts the fragile spring-fed wetlands. • Third in prioxity is Millers River Front Park. It will require an intensive effort to clear the sedge meadows of adventive brush, but when completed it will recreate a large riverine wetland of sedge meadows,ponded marsh, and marsh. The latter will be the most difficult to restore because of cuYrent dominance by narrow-leaved cattail stands. The existing xiver 12 Hey and Associates, Ir�c. EXHIBIT 6-A MCHENRY NATL'R.AL AREA PLANS PETERSEN HISTORIC FARM ���_ � � �p A ��� � � � � MANAGEMENT � �'� LINITS ON � L`��� A�,x1At: � PHOTOGRAPH � �.� ��: J � � � 0. � � � a ���`'�}'^,� � ��� x �>��� �: � � � �� a, a 4 � DATE OF PF30T0: � 2001 � -� � � `, , k a 5 L ` � � � SCALE: � � 1" = 500' � `� N s � i �' - �� , + r 8 Hey and Associates, Inc. EXHIBIT 6-C :��; ;> ��' MCHENRY NA�rt;x��,Ax�, PLANS ;� WHEEL:ER PARK ��,. MANAGEMENT UNITS ON A�,x1�. PHOTOGRAPH �; ° �; � ,' � � a Y � "` )p�'� ��� 1 (p, � P �' P. � � e .�x, f�� �, � � � ��; DATE OF PHOTO: ` 2001 < m 3 �' 1 � N a � w � \ y� - ��` ,� t � oa � + t, � � � � SCALE: .;� Y 1" =300' G` 0. � N < � i L' I i � � Hey and Associates, Inc. EXHIBIT 6-E MCHENRY NA'rt;x�,AxF,A P�Ns t.� �� �, �'� FOX RIDGE � ;.�: PARK ��` � ,�-> f� MANAGEVfENT UNITS ON AF,RIAL ��� PHOTOGRAPH .A, ��.; �� � �;,, a ax.' 't �"����d � w;�p � . „ �� , N ��;, , , . ` . ,, . . �,. � � €� DATE OF PHOTO: a � � 2001 � � � X a � �s3 � o'G � � SCALE: � 1" = 500' a N i 8 • �