Mr. Pfefferman,

What is to be done with the woods that represent 2 village blocks worth of land between Newton Avenue and Brandon Avenue, North of Illinois Street and South of Greenfield Avenue?

Last fall, the village put of signs at the major paths through this woods stating that it was Village Property and No Trespassing. This is a bad answer to whatever the problem was deemed to necessitate its action. These woods are dropped right in the center of a residential area, a community that routinely donated their time and effort to keeping the woods clean and spreading woodchips along its paths. Now it goes unkempt, unmanaged and unmonitored.

1. What are the villages short and long term goals for this property?
2. What are the timeframes for those plans?
3. What, as residents that boarder this property can we do to help?

I have used these woods for adventures with my children, and outings with Cub Scouts. On many occasions, we have walked to woods picking up debris and discussing citizenship and community responsibilities. Now, for almost a year, I walk out my front door to be greeted by a no trespassing sign.

Also, I have heard a rumor that a group of residents circulated a petition, volunteering their time to assist in the woods cleanup again, but it was rebuffed by the village. Is that true?

I would like to help and am raising me hand. I don’t like this situation – what can I do?

Agree, this parcel of land is currently an eyesore and very dangerous. With a little care and planning, it could be a jewel for the community.

Hello and thank you for raising the topic of Manor Woods, Side of FRYs and Sosa. Our village management team will respond to your questions at the email provided in Side's public profile.

I truly appreciate your concern. Once the information is received, options can begin to be considered.


Thanks again,

Mark

Mark,

Thank you for your very timely note regarding the Manor Woods.

I will await the response from your team. If you would like a resident our two to participate in any discussions or planning, I will again offer to volunteer.

Thank you also for reading this board and participating.

Kevin

WTH is Manor Woods?

Clam, read the description in my opening post to this thread – if you travel West of the GE pool on Fairview, it ends at Manor Woods.

I avoided using the Manor Woods name as I knew most would not know this parcel by that description. But this land is one block from a grade school (Lincoln), less then that from a park and bordered on all sides by residential land.

I’ve heard and read great things about MP, and will look forward to his response.

quote:

Originally posted by Clamato:
WTH is Manor Woods?

It's south of the tracks, none of your concern.

Just to throw my two cents in here... but on stuff like this, wouldn't it be more appropriate to contact the village directly, either by phone or e-mail, than to post a question for Mark P. on this board? It's great that he reads the board and responds, but there is a village staff to handle this stuff.

BTW, Mark, there's a big crack in the sidewalk in front of my house, when do you think you guys will get around to fixing it?

People love Mark. He is approachable, helpful, and concerned for your happiness and well-being.

Mark & SoEllynGuy,

I meant no disrespect, and have heard great things about MP. However, I was under the impression that this board was a good place to not only raise a question but to gauge the support of other residents as well. I also believe…

“I know many residents, former residents and prospective residents that have used the home page of this board for quick and easy links to comprehensive information about all that Glen Ellyn has to offer. Glen-ellyn.com provides a valuable service to our community free of charge. It is among our community traditions and treasures!”

As such, I am not bothered by Mark’s response that he would contact me directly. If at all possible, I will endeavor to visit him at his office and we will both be more informed about the issue at that time. Posting questions and volunteer my assistance seems much more productive than posting jabs.

But Mark, as long as you’re looking into that crack in front of his house, you may want to make sure what your road salt budget is for this December.

quote:

Originally posted by SoEllynGuy:Posted December 17, 2008 12:34 PM
The lack of salting intersections since Monday night has been very obvious, and different than in past years. I live right around the corner from Park & Sheehan, and saw two westbound cars jump the curb on Sheehan as they slid trying to stop at Park.

There are threads here that are meant to be fun (A Guys Walks Into A Bar…), but lets leave the sarcasm and non-productive posts out of this one.

All righty then

Since many of the neighbors have asked questions directly to the Village (without a good answer), it's a good time to put it on the GEBB

Now that they have no trespassing signs the only people using the park are teens to party and the homeless to sleep.

quote:

it's a good time to put it on the GEBB

Quite right, Old Boy. Just look how fast the situation on Elm was addressed after that pesky Nika sent a shout out via the GEBB.

I live directly across from the Manor Woods. Last year several neighbors launched a campaign to clean them up. We found over 50 volunteers. I was called by someone from the park district to say that the canopy of trees was very unstable, and for reasons of liability, our labor force would not be allowed to clean it up. Two days later the "no trespass" signs appeared. I phoned again, and was told there were no funds to have it cleaned out by professionals, and that the job would be in excess of 500,000 dollars. I decided to shut up in fear that the next move by the village would be to place a chain link fence around it. There's a number of coyotes in there now, they sing me to sleep each night. I think there doing a good job of keeping the party crowds and dopers out for now. It's a great little woods, with a lot of potential. Thank you Kevin, for taking this on. Please let me know if I can help.

I believe Manor Woods is owned by the village.

Yes. Owned by the village, maintained by the park district.

What is the definition of an unstable canopy?

The trees are unstable. Creating the possibility of a tree falling on someone.

Sort of the ol' Zen question - if a tree falls on someone in the woods, and there is no personal injury attorney involved, is the village liable?

Why not just put up a "Unstable Canopy - Beware falling limbs - enter at your own risk" sign instead?

We're all big boys and girls, aren't we?