Plans have been scrapped to build a 3.8-mile equestrian trail through Lakewood Forest Preserve as part of Chicago’s bid for the 2016 Summer Olympic Games. Preservationists had objected to the plan saying it would lead to the destruction of dozens of 200-year-old oak trees.
Lake County Forest Preserve District officials said Thursday they will look for another site within Lakewood, but those opposed to the plan continued their criticism of the district for using the forest preserves for sporting events.
Sheilah Watson, a member of Preserve Lakewood, a citizens group fighting against the plan said, “the taxpayers supported open-space referendums because we thought the district would preserve the land for future generations of wildlife and for us – not for athletic events. This plan is setting a bad precedent”.
Tom Hahn, the district’s executive director, e-mailed the district’s commissioners saying the decision to find a new trail site was made after Olympic planners advised that cross-country events normally are held in open fields to make spectator viewing easier and to help avoid injury to horses and riders.
He said, “based upon our discussions from last week we have now removed the cross-country course from its location on the plan and will evaluate other layouts with a more open landscape”.
