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THE FUTURE OF HILLMOOR

Hillmoor is now owned by Lake Geneva, so now what?
Karen, the Executive Director of the Geneva Lakes Conservancy, spoke in favor of a grant application from Knowles Nelson to be used to make improvements at the Hillmoor property. This grant was approved (informally) for application by the Hillmoor Ad Hoc committee but failed to receive official support at the Finance License and Regulations Committee. The conservancy has worked for the last few months with Midwest Prairie, a restoration conservancy, and the city public works department, to develop plans for over three and a half miles of hiking trails through the wetlands and the savannah located on the Hillmoor property. These plans would use the old golf cart trails and also create new trails with crushed limestone. The plan would include four scenic foot bridges over the White River and also board walks are recommended over flood risk areas and wetlands. The trail would be circular and begin at the city property near the dog and frisbee park near East View School, which has bathrooms and parking spaces.

The conservancy has worked on how to fund the project by looking at grants available and a Knowles Nelson Grant would fit perfectly. The conservancy would like permission to apply for the funds. The grant would cover half of the cost of the project, which is predicted to cost some $300,000. The deadline to apply for the grant is May 1st so time is of the essence and the conservancy believes that waiting to begin work would only make restoration more difficult and costly. The conservancy board believes it has the expertise to complete the project and has been involved in other plans at five different conservancies over the years. The conservancy also has worked with the DNR on similar plans and has contacts with private donors who have helped make other projects happen and would reach out to donors and other entities to help fund the part of the project that the grant would not. Not all city officials are on board with the plan, mostly due to the fact the city would have to commit to matching the grant before donations are confirmed. The ad hoc committee likes the grant application and is pleased with the work the conservancy has put into the potential project.

Peg Espisito, newly elected alderperson in Lake Geneva, is a current member of the Lake Geneva Park Board. Peg is excited about working with the GLC but believes they need a little more time.  She continues to fear this plan is not developed enough and the property needs to be looked at and researched as a whole before ‘breakaway’ plans are made. She also thinks the funding needs to be confirmed from donors before the city is on the hook for the money. A few other alderpersons share her concern and voted ‘no,’ as well.  Some council members agreed and would like to see work started on the property and want to get it cleaned up so the public can have access. The public urged the city to purchase the property and wants to enjoy it. The vote to approve the grant application to be summitted at city council was tied and the tie breaker came from the mayor who voted yes giving approval for the Geneva Lakes Conservancy to submit the Knowles Nelson Grant application.

While the city waits other work has been planned to include the approval of renting goats to help clear some of the property, working with the city insurance company for coverage of the property, familiarizing the different city departments and officials of the property, planning to remove downed trees form winter storms and from years of neglect, and removing the hazardous debris including the golf shack. The city also indicated that the razing of the building will be done by the public works department. 

The general public, in discussion after discussion, wants the Hillmoor property to be crisscrossed with paths and bike trails, of that there is no question, but the ‘rub’ remains the issue about funding and then the future revenue to continue taking care of the wonderful tract of land.