The Forest Preserve District of Will County has completed its first major land acquisition under the 2025–2030 Capital Improvement Program, securing a 241-acre parcel in Custer Township.

The purchase, finalized on June 13, brings the total land owned, leased and managed by the Forest Preserve District to 23,449 acres.

The Custer Township parcel adds a significant piece to the ecological puzzle in southern Will County because it is nestled among a network of protected areas known for sandy soils and rare plant and animal species. The land is located at Coal City Road and Route 53 near two state-owned preserves, Hitts Siding Prairie Nature Preserve and Wilmington Shrub Prairie, and three Forest Preserve-owned sites.

“This addition helps protect the rare sand communities of the Braidwood Dunes, Sand Ridge Savanna and Kankakee Sands Preserve complex and creates future possibilities for public fishing and recreation in Wilmington,” said Cori Crawford, the Forest Preserve’s real estate and data supervisor. “It’s a true win for both conservation and the community.”

Crawford noted the purchase is especially significant because it involved a single seller, a rarity in Will County where development pressures often fragment large tracts of land.

Funding for the $2.8 million acquisition came from a $50 million general obligation bond issue approved by the Forest Preserve Board of Commissioners in June 2024. Of that total, $25 million is dedicated to land preservation, $12 million to regional and local trail connections and new access areas, and $13 million to habitat restoration.

Critical gap

The new parcel helps close a critical gap between local, state and federal open spaces, said Colleen Novander, director of planning and land preservation for the Forest Preserve. 

In addition to adjacent state and Forest Preserve properties, the region includes private hunting and fishing clubs, the Des Plaines River Conservation Area, Goose Lake Prairie Nature Preserve in nearby Grundy County, and Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie. Together, these lands total more than 8,200 acres of ecologically significant habitat.

This landscape forms part of the Prairie Parklands Ecosystem macrosite, one of the most concentrated areas of Illinois Natural Areas Inventory sites and nature preserves in the state. The macrosite holds high ecological value and conservation importance at the state level.

The newly acquired land also offers strong potential for public recreation, including fishing, hiking, kayaking and picnicking. Its access to water and electricity opens future opportunities for equestrian and group camping. Internal trails and regional trail connections are also under consideration, positioning the site as a key recreational link in southern Will County.

Planning for the parcel’s future use will begin soon. Staff will first develop a land use plan to guide ecological restoration and public access. A conceptual master plan is expected to follow, with both plans targeted for completion by 2030.

“With these foundational plans in place, the Forest Preserve will be well-positioned to pursue external funding opportunities – such as the Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development program or other grant sources – to support the phased development of the preserve,” Novander said. 

In addition to the Custer Township parcel, the Forest Preserve District also recently closed on:

• A 1.18-acre addition to Hickory Creek Preserve for $23,353. The parcel is located at Wolf Road and Route 30 in Mokena. The property protects and buffers wooded floodplain and wetland associated with a large tributary of Hickory Creek. 

The Forest Preserve's open space assists in flood control, stores carbon, provides habitat for wildlife, helps threatened and endangered species survive and provides recreational opportunities for residents. Because previous bond issues had been paid off before the new Capital Improvement Program was approved, the Forest Preserve property tax rate will drop around 27% this year leading to a decrease in the amount of taxes Will County residents pay for Forest Preserve services.