MACK ROAD BIKE TRAIL           

WHERE DOES A BIKE TRAIL BELONG?

ACROSS PRIVATE PROPERTY OR ON PUBLIC LAND?

LATEST UPDATE!  In Jun 2025, the city of Warrenville filed condemnation complaints against my neighbors and myself.  In Apr 2025, the Warrenville city council had passed an ordinance authorizing the acquisition through condemnation of easements on our private properties.  We now have to fight in court to protect our properties.

**********************

UPDATE! Mar 2025 - It has recently been discovered that there was a signed intergovernmental agreement (Warrenville Ordinance 2976 and FPDDC Resolution 15-253) between city of Warrenville and the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County to build the path on the south side of Mack Road with funding secured for the project.  Despite this fact, a decision was made to switch to the north side instead which results in significant negative impacts to the private properties.

Furthermore, this choice wastes taxpayer money on land acquisitions, lawyer/appraiser fees, and court costs when public land is so conspicuously available and especially in light of the city's intent to raise taxes.

The Wheaton League of Women Voters held a Warrenville mayoral candidate forum at the Fire Station on Wed. Feb 26.  When asked the question ‘What is your opinion on the Mack Road bike path’ by the moderator, both Andy Johnson and Michael Hoffman (neither one is the incumbent) stated that they were against condemnation of the private properties and support a south side Forest Preserve location for the path.

The current Warrenville city council members all previously voted in favor of the condemnation ordinances for the north side (resident) properties. With new officials taking office in both Warrenville and the Forest Preserve District, it is hoped that this issue will be reconsidered, can be resolved soon, and result in homeowner properties being preserved. 

**********************

URGENT UPDATE! May 2024 - The City of Warrenville is preparing to file  condemnation proceedings against the Mack Road residents. Please support a safe and enjoyable trail across the street within Blackwell Forest Preserve NOT across private properties.

***********************

The City of Warrenville is currently planning to construct a ten feet wide bike path between Route 59 and McKee Marsh on the north side of Mack Road crossing 5 private driveways along the hilly, 40mph, no shoulder road. The SOUTH side of Mack Road is Blackwell Forest Preserve which runs the entire distance from Route 59 to Winfield Rd. We are asking for your support to ensure that the location of this multiuse trail is changed to the SOUTH side of Mack Road where the path would be totally built on public land. This is a SAFER choice in a natural setting for all trail users.

 Of paramount importance is the alarming fact that trail users (including families with young children) would have to navigate past dangerous driveway crossings where vehicles commonly pull in just to turn around. This mixed-use combination creates critical safety concerns:

· iamtraffic.org:

   “The most common types of (bicycle) crashes are referred to as crossing crashes, where the paths of a turning motorist at a driveway or intersection and a straight through cyclist can potentially cross, creating conflicts and crashes. Of all cycling crashes, 29% are car-bike related and of these, 82.8% of these are in intersections and driveways. – Data Source: Federal Highway Administration”

The city chose (without verifying and without our knowledge) an option based on the inaccurate premise that the land required for the trail was entirely located in the Right-of-Way.  Subsequent surveys have confirmed a much smaller ROW.  Warrenville does not have the 40-85 feet of permanent/temporary easements that are needed to build a north side trail.   Numerous native plants and over 45 trees including mature towering oaks and walnuts would be cut down and impacted.  Extensive grading and unsightly swales would cause major property damage.  Also, the north side has all the above-ground utilities which would require relocation. We are opposed to the condemnation of our properties through eminent domain.

As for the funding, here is a quote from the current Warrenville website: Project Overview: In December 2015, the City was awarded federal Surface Transportation Program (STP) funding that will cover 75% of construction costs and construction engineering to add a multi-use path along the south or north sides of Mack Road, just east of Route 59.

The Forest Preserve District of DuPage County has developed a new Blackwell Master Plan so this would be an opportune time for Warrenville to partner with them on this recreational amenity.

The SOUTH side of Mack Road is the ideal, less-intrusive, and only common- sense place for this bike path and will safeguard the well-being of bicyclists, hikers, and motorists alike.

If you agree that the SOUTH side (public land not private property) is the best location for this future path, we would very much appreciate you signing this petition.  To contact Warrenville or the Forest Preserve District directly, their info is:     

 Warrenville mayor/council:  council@warrenville.il.us 

 FPDDC president Daniel Hebreard:  dhebreard@dupageforest.org     

 general mailbox:  https://www.dupageforest.org/contact-us/email-us

Thank you for your time and consideration.  

 We are only asking for signatures not donations.

For any questions, please contact Pam Spevak (landline 630-231-3967 or email pamspevak@outlook.com)