Official Website of the Village of Lake Barrington, Illinois
Freier Farm Concept Plan
Click on the picture at the right to view the plan and provide input.
Click above for more information
Lake Barrington's Open Space Initiative Wins BACOG Donald P. Klein Award Webpage Update November 4, 2010
The Village of Lake Barrington's Open Space Initiative was selected for the first-ever Barrington Area Council of Governments (BACOG) Donald P. Klein award. The award recognizes excellence in a project or program that encourages public participation, follows an open process and provides long-term benefits to the community. The Open Space Initiative met criteria in four of five award categories: planning, environmental protection and enhancement, communications and citizen participation.
Following a referendum in 2007, the Village of Lake Barrington purchased over 50 acres of open space.The Open Space Initiative was created to reduce development pressures, evident at the time, and to preserve critical woodlands, historic farmlands, and groundwater recharge areas.The benefits of the Open Space Initiative included preservation of community character, the creation of a community space at the Freier Farm, and securing of bucolic views along Route 14 entering and leaving the Barrington area.
The Barrington Area Council of Governments created the Donald P. Klein award in 2010 to posthumously honor the first and long-time Executive Director of BACOG. The award recognizes excellence in BACOG members’ projects which further the goals advanced by Mr. Klein for over 30 years and the current priorities of the BACOG organization, all of which enhance the quality of life and the environment in the region.
The Barrington Area Council of Governments is a regional planning organization that fosters intergovernmental cooperation.Covering a 90-square-mile geographical area, BACOG represents Barrington, Barrington Hills, Barrington Township, Cuba Township, Deer Park, Lake Barrington, North Barrington, South Barrington and Tower Lakes.
Residents Vote in Support of Open Space
In 2007, LakeBarrington residents voted in support of a $5.5 million bond referendum to preserve open space in the Village of Lake Barrington for conservation and recreational purposes.
In the hope of moving swiftly before developers could purchase sought after parcels of land, Village officials asked residents in the April 2007 municipal election to vote on an advisoryreferendum that would make securing key parcels of land a “top priority”.The 62% to 38% outcome was a resounding “yes” in favor of open space preservation and, as a result, the Village issued $5.5 million in general obligation bonds to launch its new effort.
“The residents of Lake Barrington deserve a lot of credit for their strong will and vision to keep our community among the most charming and beautiful places to live in Illinois,” said Kevin Richardson, Lake Barrington Village President.“We are excited because this initiative, when completed, will enable us to preserve up to 60 acres of open space for a variety of recreational and conservation purposes in our community.”
Village & Residents Receive CFC 2008 William H. Miller Conservation Award
The Open Space Initiative won the Village and its citizens the 2008 William H. Miller Conservation Award presented by Citizens for Conservation (CFC). The award is presented to an individual or group in recognition of outstanding contribution toward conservation in the Barrington area.Citizens for Conservation has given this award to villages and to individuals in the past but this was the first time both are being recognized at the same time.
Open Space Acquisitions
Freier Farm
Freier Farm
The first purchase of open space occurred in Fall 2008 when the Village bought Meadow Run Farm, a 26-acre farm on Kelsey Road, from long-time LakeBarrington residents Art and Norma Freier.Residents enjoyed a crisp fall afternoon and evening at the farm during its public debut at the Village of Lake Barrington’s 50th anniversary celebration, Freier FarmBarn Stomp, in October 2009.
Gibbs Property
Gibbs Property
In August 2009, the Village acquired the 29-acre "Gibbs property" located at the northwest corner of Route 14 and Cuba Road. The Village teamed with Citizens for Conservation (CFC) to identify the parcel as a priority property for preservation and subsequent to the purchase, the Village and CFC completed a long term arrangement for future restoration and maintenance. The purchase will preserve the property which contains an important groundwater recharge area and mature oak savannah, and will provide the opportunity for an aesthetic gateway into the community.
For the web article regarding the purchase of the Gibbs Property, CLICK HERE.
June 2011 Update
Citizens for Conservation Expands Flint Creek Savanna South
CFC purchased an additional two acres of the Gibbs Property expanding the Flint Creek Savanna South to over 8.5 acres.
Subsequent to the Vilage's purchase of the Gibbs Property, a long term arrangement was made with CFC for future restoration and maintenance. The agreement included the sale of 6.5 acres to CFC with a 20-year option for future acquisition of portions of the property. CFC renamed the area Flint Creek Savanna South, which is part of the CFC's largest preserve area, Flint Creek Savanna.
Lake Barrington Village President Kevin Richardson said, “We are happy to see CFC exercise their option to increase ownership at the Gibbs property, less than a year from their original purchase. This underscores not only CFC’s role as our region’s leading conservation organization but LakeBarrington’s vision of partnering with non-profit organizations and other units of government in preserving key parcels of open space critical to maintaining our community’s character. We value our collaboration with CFC and are very fortunate to have such a dedicated partner in our community as they not only acquire and preserve open space, they engage volunteers to restore it to its natural condition.”
December 2010 Update
Restoration Work Begins
Citizen's for Conservation (CFC) reported volunteers began restoration of the 6.5-acre oak woods in Flint Creek Savanna South that is CFC's part of a joint 29-acre purchase with the Villlage of Lake Barrington along the Flint Creek corridor, completed in 2010.
