A rendering of the Horizon Park project, a combined project of the Huntley Park District and Huntley Village Board. Image provided.
The Huntley Village Board of Trustees and the Huntley Park District Board have both approved an Intergovernmental Agreement which would add 153 acres to the park district.
The village owns the land at the south side of Kruetzer Road, between Smith Drive East and the Union Pacific right of way. According to the agreement approved, Aug. 27 by the park board and the following night by the Huntley Village Board, the village will sell 7.64 acres of the property for $1 million and will donate the remaining 145 acres to the park district.
The Huntley Park District hosted a public input meeting for the project, tentatively known as Horizon Project, on Sept. 10. The park district is seeking a grant from Illinois Department of Natural Resources’ program, Open Space Land Acquisition Grant.
“By working together, we are ensuring that this land remains a community asset for generations to come,” Huntley Mayor Tim Hoeft said in a press release statement. “It is an investment in Huntley’s future. This reflects the village’s ongoing commitment to preserve open space while creating a vibrant and connected community. Working together with Huntley Park District, we are ensuring future generations will enjoy expanded recreation, public gathering spaces, and the natural beauty of our environment.
Huntley Park Board President Keith Wold commented on the village and park land project.
“This is an exciting step forward for our community,” Wold said in the press release statement. “We are proud to work alongside the village to bring more opportunities for residents of all ages. These opportunities may include new trails, special events and the potential for indoor recreational facilities. This is a win for Huntley.”
Hoeft noted at the village board meeting the importance of the developers’ land donations, which the village acquired in April. There were plans for more than 400 homes back in 2007 when the land was annexed to Huntley.
