In late November and early December Commonwealth Edison (ComEd) in conjunction with the DeKalb Park District (DPD) descended on the DeKalb Nature Trail (Illinois Prairie Path) and effectively clear cut the entire north side of the trail running below ComEd’s power lines. This work was done quickly and without the public’s knowledge or approval. The trail which once provided this community with a clear connection to nature has been destroyed. Within a week and a half ComEd’s contractors (Asplundh) clear-cut approximately 8 acres of land, removing thousands of trees, shrubs and various other plantings. What was a thriving ecosystem is now simply a bare patch of land and stumps.

In the end, ComEd, in conjunction with the DPD, not only destroyed a beloved park but also an important piece of our local natural history. This petition seeks action from the DeKalb Park District to address the following items:

1. We request the DeKalb Park District hold Commonwealth Edison responsible for restoration of the area. Commonwealth Edison should pay for what has been was taken away from this community. New plantings should be provided; Trees a minimum of 3” in caliper, growing to a height of 15 to 30 feet. Shrubs and other native plantings should also be provided along the trail. These plantings must restore the protected corridor the Nature Trail once provided. The area must be restored in such a way as to maintain the previous characteristics of the Nature Trail.

2. We request that the DeKalb Park District (and the City of DeKalb) put in place regulations to prevent such a thing from happening again in our community.

For more information please join our Facebook Group:

http://www.facebook.com/groups/dekalbnaturetrail/