Potential Cuba Marsh addition on forest preserve radar since 1988

Cuba Marsh Forest Preserve in southwestern Lake County could expand with the acquisition of the 9.4-acre Bowers property in Deer Park.

The forest board’s planning committee on Monday recommended the property on Cuba Road, east of Ela Road adjacent to the existing preserve, be purchased for $725,000.

“This is property we’ve been trying to get, basically, since 1988,” said Ken Jones, land preservation manager.

The district at that time bought 110 acres that wraps around this property and has been watching and waiting since, he added.

The owner demolished buildings and began establishing a native area but decided not to build a house and the property became available, according to Jones.

The portion of Cuba Marsh adjacent to the property is subject to a land and water reserve conservation easement granted by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and the Illinois Nature Preserves Commission, according to information provided to the committee.

That means this acquisition will further hydrologic restoration and make prescribed burns at Cuba Marsh significantly easier.

“It’s a good addition we’ve been looking at for quite some time,” Jones said.

The contract will allow the district to apply for the parcel to become a nature preserve, buffer or land and water preserve.

Commissioner Marah Altenberg, who represents that area, said Deer Park officials are hoping it can be turned into an area for residents to enjoy nature.

Though it will be open to the public a deed restriction prohibits the construction of trails, parking lots, ball fields, golf facilities or dog exercise areas, for example.

“Part of the agreement, at the seller’s request, is nothing be placed on the property,” Jones said.

Funds to buy the land will come from proceeds of a $17.5 million bond issue in April to acquire high-priority properties when they became available.

The full forest board has to approve the purchase before a closing can occur.