Hoscheit’s Forest Preserve Legacy: Open Space, Accessibility, Teamwork
As president of the Kane County Forest Preserve District for the past 12 years, commissioner John Hoscheit presided over some of the most remarkable times in the Forest Preserve District’s history.
After only a few days to reflect on his past role as president, Hoscheit said increased open space and accessibility to the preserves are among his proudest accomplishments on behalf of the district.
“I’m extremely proud of the community support we’ve received over the years. We’ve been able to add thousands of additional acres to the district and improve accessibility for public use,” Hoscheit said. “We’ve actually tripled our open space here in Kane County over the past 12 years, and we’ve done that with strong support from the community.”
“It’s really a testament to teamwork,” he said. “I’d like to especially acknowledge our staff, my fellow Forest Preserve commissioners, and the hundreds of volunteers for all of their efforts. They truly make the preserves better places for everyone to enjoy.”
The accomplishments of the past 12 years really are too many to mention. According to the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning, they include Kane County voter approval of a $30 million open space bond referendum in 2011 that will fund the acquisition of 1,500 to 2,000 additional acres of conservation land and make improvements on other lands. The Kane County referendum also helps push toward a critical goal of GO TO 2040: preserving another 150,000 acres of public open space in the next 30 years.
GO TO 2040 recommends a so-called “green infrastructure” approach in which many different organizations collaborate to preserve portions of a large, connected network of open space.
Hoscheit said he felt it was appropriate to allow another commissioner to have the opportunity to lead the district. During the meeting, he thanked his fellow commissioners for 12 years of support, for being non-political in their decision-making, and for working by consensus. Hoscheit also thanked district staff for their hard work and professionalism.
Adaptive use of the Fox River, Kane County’s top open space opportunity, preservation of the environment, proliferation of Forest Preserve District nature programs, the many beautiful bike trails of Kane County and help in development of major transportation initiative and corridors are among the many accomplishments of the past 12 years.
Hoscheit has served on the Forest Preserve Commission since 1996. He remains a commissioner through 2016.
On Tuesday, Dec. 9, Mike Kenyon of South Elgin was elected president of the Forest Preserve Commission.
Kenyon has been a 10-year member of the Forest Preserve Commission. He has previously served as district secretary, and as a member of the Executive, Finance, and Planning & Utilization committees. Kenyon served as chairman of the Planning & Utilization Committee for the past two years.
Kenyon thanked his fellow commissioners for their support, and stated he loves where the Forest Preserve District is going, and wants to be a part of it.
The Forest Preserve Commission elects a president every two years.
