A bit of background: I'm in Glenview and enjoy taking Lake Ave. to the North Branch Trail for a loop around the Skokie Lagoons. Yesterday, due to other obligations, I didn't head out for my usual ride until 7:45 or so.
When I left, there was plenty of light and calm winds. Shortly after getting to halfway mark of my ride, it got dark and the sky opened up - in short, I got drenched.
I didn't mind the rain; it was actually kind of fun pushing through the water and I ended up only a minute or two off my best time for the ride.
The only thing that took away from the ride were the number branches hanging over the trail (and the sidewalk of Lake Ave). On dry days, these are just something to keep an eye out for (I'm sure many of us know their locations by heart). But they do present a hazard for folks that don't expect them, especially near corners or when there is oncoming traffic on the other side of the trail. Last night, heavy from being soaked in rain, they were much lower, heavier, and harder to avoid.
So here's what I'm considering: My 11 year old and I occasionally go out for a casual rides along my usual route - I could grab a pair pruning shears from the garage, throw them in my bag, and do some "trimming" as we work our way along the trail.
I've never seen Forest Preserve District police (or any LE) on the trail, but do you think if we were to have a run in with officer (ranger?) friendly, they would throw me and my daughter in the paddy wagon? How about objections from other riders/skaters/walkers? I'm not talking about doing anything destructive here, just trimming enough for reasonably-sized person to fit under these overhangs.
The FPDCC website does mention a prohibition against "removing or damaging any plants or trees", but if left unchecked, this will escalate from an inconvenience to a safety issue. I couldn't find anywhere to report issues like this.
I'm inclined to go for it, but would appreciate any input/advice you all have.
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I'm guessing the legal answer is no. But I think you should do it anyway. It would be a laudable public service. I would be careful though not to create a potentially dangerous situation in which you leave pointy branch cuts just off the trail. Try to cut branches all the way off where they sprout off of a larger branch. The natural end of a tree or shrub branch is usually pretty pliable and soft. A branch cut off in the middle somewhere creates a potential hazard. Think "sharp stick in the eye" ...
For optimum tree health, my understanding is that trimming should only happen after or before the growing season when the sap is longer running in the tree. But I mostly ignore that advice and I have yet to kill a tree by trimming it (then again, my data is pretty limited).
Call 311.
But he is not in Chicago. And if he were, it probably would be park district responsibility.
Adam Herstein (5.5 mi) said:
Call 311.
Ah, my bad. I thought the OP was riding the North Shore Channel Trail. Does Glenview have a 311 service?
Lisa Curcio 6.5 mi said:
But he is not in Chicago. And if he were, it probably would be park district responsibility.
Adam Herstein (5.5 mi) said:Call 311.
Thanks for the comments and advice everyone - mission accomplished (from Lake to Tower at least)
Thanks for the comments and advice everyone - mission accomplished (from Lake to Tower at least)
Here's a link to the Forest Preserve District of Cook County.
Here's their contact information:
536 North Harlem Avenue
River Forest, IL 60305 | map
Main: (800) 870-3666
TDD: (708) 771-1190
FPD Police: (708) 771-1000
We wouldn't want anyone to get fined for "trimming"
I was on my usual route from Lake to Tower last night, but didn't see anything - what part of the trail were you on?
I was on my usual route from Lake to Tower last night, but didn't see anything - what part of the trail were you on?
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