Tuesday, May 10, 2005
Daily Southtown
Editorial

THE ISSUE: Cook County Forest Preserve District officials say they'll seek private companies to operate toboggan slides and other recreational enterprises.
WE SAY: Since the county has failed to maintain the slides using its own resources, privatization appears to be the way to go.

The weather has made a turn for the better, and it's unlikely we'll see any measurable snow in the Southland for another eight months or so. When the heavy snow does come, will we be able to use the Cook County Forest Preserve toboggan slides again? We might, although we'll keep our toboggans stashed away until we see some solid evidence.

The top guy within the forest preserve district, Supt. Steve Bylina, said recently that the district would seek proposals from private companies willing to take over the operation of the slides, including the popular Swallow Cliff chutes in Palos Township. After falling into disrepair, and with no funds allocated to fix them, the slides have been shut down. The idea of privatization for the slides is not a new one. What is new is that Bylina is seeking a private company that also would provide other services for forest preserve users, such as the rental of things like bikes, skates, model airplanes and even binoculars for bird-watching. Bylina insists the district would not over-commercialize the forest preserves, and he ruled out renting snowmobiles and all-terrain vehicles.

The forest preserve board in April approved $50 million in improvement projects. Officials said if any of that money is left over, they would consider using it to fix the slides. But the district's track record doesn't leave us holding our breath. Last year, the board rejected a $1.5 million slide improvement project. Officials are hesitant to pour money into the slides because they are only used on relatively few days each years. We've always found that argument to be ludicrous. The slides do more to draw people into the preserves and their other attractions than officials realize.

Nonetheless, it appears that privatization may be the best bet to get the slides running again. If that's the case, then we support it, especially if it is expanded to include other types of recreation. The county turned its golf courses over to a private company several years ago, and there are few golfers who would want the courses returned to the hands of county workers again.

Ideally, we would like to think that a well-trained forest preserve work force would be competent enough to handle the administration, maintenance and operation of these attractions. Recreation is indeed part of the forest preserve district's mission. But with the way the forest preserve is structured and financed, officials can fall back on any number of excuses for not delivering the goods. And for too long, the county has dished up many reasons why Swallow Cliff can't be open. We've always contended the county didn't try hard enough.

With its six chutes cascading down a steep hill, Swallow Cliff is a Southland landmark. It should be in operation each and every winter. If the county can't do so with its own resources, privatization is the only alternative.