Greg Gerber posted on November 21, 2008 10:00
RUTLAND TOWNSHIP, Ill. -- It could be as early as next summer when area camping enthusiasts aren't falling over one another to stake a claim at the Paul Wolff Forest Preserve northwest of Elgin.
Officials have decided to double the capacity of the campground -- on Big Timber Road -- to about 100 sites, and the Kane County Board on Wednesday dedicated almost $102,000 in land-cash funds for the improvements.
With a total cost of about $400,000, according to district officials, the project not only will add campsites but also will provide new infrastructure such as parking, restrooms, and water and electric hookups, according to the application for land-cash dollars. Fifteen campsites will be relocated to secluded, wooded areas.
The district also has received a $128,000 grant from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources to "incorporate equestrian camping to the campground," the application states. The remaining $128,000 in estimated cost of the equestrian expansion will be paid from the district's coffers.
Altogether, the improvements are estimated to cost about $656,000, with the county funds and state grant to account for about 35 percent of the total.
The improvements should begin when the weather warms and could be completed by summer or fall of 2009. Meyers said some infrastructure work currently is being done, namely expansion of the sewer system. The camping season lasts from May through October.
Because Paul Wolff boasts the district's only public campground for adults and children alike, demand for the campsites will remain high, even with a doubled capacity, Meyers said.
"We don't do any reservations," she said. "What's going to happen is ... it's still going to be booked every holiday and warm-weather weekend."
SOURCE: Suburban Chicago News