CHANNAHON – Several people from throughout the village have approached Village President Joe Cook to ask why the boat ramp on Moose Island is not open.
“It’s not village property, but I’ve tried to get an answer for them,” he said.
The land is owned by the Forest Preserve District of Will County.
The Moose Island property was formerly owned by Joliet developer John Bays.
Although called an island, it’s actually a peninsula where the Des Plaines and DuPage rivers meet.
The forest preserve district purchased the 78-acre public recreation area for $4.5 million. At the time, it had a $3.75 million renovation plan.
The district’s original plans, according to published documents, were to include an outdoor amphitheater, a boardwalk, a deck, and an environmental education center. Two lodges were also to be completed by 2009, but have not been started.
Cook said Kerry Sheridan, former Will County Board member, had always planned to get a Channahon Fire Department rescue boat stationed at the property, where it would be ready to be dropped into the water and respond immediately to anyone in need on the water.
Cook also said Sheridan had discussed the public use of the current boat ramp, which has been blocked by the planting of grass up to it.
“The site is underutilized,” Cook said, “and I’ve gotten nowhere on the community’s behalf.”
Cook said the forest district has stated the boat launch doesn’t match with its programming.
He said they have told the fire district there is a list of things that would have to be done to be able to house a rescue boat there, things that weren’t spoken of when Sheridan was alive.
A group of residents have heard there will be a commissioners meeting at the Four Rivers Environmental Education Center at McKinley Woods Kerry Sheridan Grove on Friday morning.
They intend to show up to protest the boat ramp not being open, as well as the rescue boat not being present.
“They just want to let them know the boat ramp should be open,” said Cook. “When Kerry Sheridan was alive, he shared with the residents these plans.”
Currently the only option residents have to place a boat in the water is to pay to drop it in at Big Basin or drive to Morris, where the lines are often long and the park is sometimes closed due to flooding or overcrowded boat ramps.
The fire department rescue boat currently has to be taken to Big Basin to be dropped in the water. When there is a line already there, Cook said, it takes time that could be used to save people’s lives.
Protestors plan to be at the park Friday morning starting at 7:30 or 8 a.m.