Future of the Fox River: Burtons Bridge to Johnsburg

McHenry County Planning and Development and the City of McHenry Department of Economic Development, in partnership with CMAP, have developed the Fox River Corridor Plan for the river and neighboring communities from Johnsburg to Burtons Bridge.

We seek your feedback on the draft plan! CMAP will use your input to revise the plan before taking the final version to the McHenry County and City of McHenry boards for their consideration.

The Plan Review Forum presents an opportunity for those who were unable to attend a virtual ‘plan review’ open house via Zoom on November 2, 2021, or simply would like to provide feedback at their own pace.

CLOSED: This virtual plan review forum accepted public comments from November 2, 2021 to December 1, 2021. 

How to Participate

The forum has seven modules which correspond to each chapter of the plan. Each module provides a brief overview of the chapter, a downloadable chapter summary, links to relevant maps, and a discussion forum.

1. Introduction – Overview of the planning area and process
2. A Vision for the Fox River Corridor – Goals and framework plan to guide future decision-making
3. Economic Development – Recommendations for leveraging the river as an economic driver
4. Natural Resources – Recommendations for protecting the corridor’s natural resources
5. Collaboration, Education, and Engagement – Recommendations for improving multi-jurisdictional coordination
6. Recreation – Recommendations for enhancing open space and recreation
7. Transportation and Connectivity – Recommendations for improving bicycle and pedestrian networks and safety.

You can also explore the full plan here (link).

We invite you to step through these modules, read about the plan, and provide feedback in the discussion forums. Your responses are a valuable part of the planning process. Public comments will be accepted from November 2, 2021 to December 1, 2021. Please contact Kelsey Pudlock (kpudlock@cmap.illinois.gov) with any questions.

Click here (link) to download the chapter summary shown above.

Click here (link) to download the full plan. The Introduction chapter starts on page 4.

The Need for a River Corridor Plan

The health of the Fox River is intrinsically connected to the quality of life and economic prosperity of the Corridor communities. Decisions and actions of one riverfront community can have significant impacts on others that are adjacent or downstream. Issues such as climate change, flooding, water pollution, sedimentation, invasive species, and poor pedestrian and bikeway connectivity extend beyond municipal and county lines and involve many different stakeholders. 

The Fox River Corridor plan:

• Provides a consistent framework for making informed decisions that will influence the river and neighboring land
• Builds on existing plans and initiatives
• Help set priorities, coordinate decision-making, obtain grants and funding

By planning together, the County and municipalities can develop complementary strategies to continue to protect, enhance, and enjoy the unique resource that connects them all — the Fox River.

Project Background

This project is a continuation of broader multi-jurisdictional planning efforts that have taken place along the Fox River. Between 2016-2018, McHenry County Planning and Development created a corridor plan through the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning’s (CMAP) Local Technical Assistance program for a portion of the Fox River that extends from Burtons Bridge to Fox Bluff. In 2019, McHenry County alongside the City of McHenry started a process to extend planning efforts upstream before reaching the Chain O’Lakes.

Planning Process

The planning process included multiple steps that were taken over 22 months. It was crafted in close consultation with McHenry County and the City of McHenry, and designed to include input from various county and municipal officials, residents, business owners, open space and waterway managers, civic groups, and community leaders throughout the Corridor.

Plan Study Area

Click here (link) to download the plan study area map.

Corridor Communities

• Burtons Bridge
• City of McHenry
• Ferndale
• Village of Holiday Hills
• Village of Johnsburg
• Village of Prairie Grove

Key Features

• McHenry Riverwalk
• Moraine Hills State Park
• McHenry-Stratton Lock and Dam

Next Steps

The success of the Fox River Corridor Plan is the combined responsibility of McHenry County, City of McHenry, the Villages, open space managers, agencies, residents, business owners, and civic groups. The plan provides a prioritized list of actions that should be undertaken within the next two years to begin implementation of the plan.

Click here (link) to download the chapter summary image above.

Click here (link) to download the full plan. The ‘A Vision for the Fox River Corridor’ chapter starts on page 14.

Visioning Development

Public visioning workshops were held over Zoom in January 2021. Residents, business owners, county and municipal officials, and other local stakeholders shared their visions and helped craft goals for economic development, flood mitigation and river management, water quality and environmental protection, land- and water-based recreation, and transportation and connectivity within the Corridor. Following the workshops, CMAP staff combined the results of the visioning workshop with the results of a visioning survey and the existing conditions analysis to develop plan recommendations.

Overarching Goals

1. Reduce flood risk and make communities more resilient to the impacts of climate change.
2. Create a clean, healthy river that supports aquatic life and diverse ecosystems.
3. Balance the recreational use and preservation of the Fox River and surrounding ecological assets.
4. Elevate safe and equitable use of the river.
5. Establish a more connected Corridor with access to the river for all.
6. Promote education and environmental stewardship.
7. Strengthen the vibrancy and economic prospects of riverfront communities.
8. Foster collaboration to uphold the Corridor for future generations.

Framework Plan

The framework plan compiles many of the land use and site-specific recommendations made in the Fox River Corridor Plan that, when implemented, would help Corridor communities take steps toward achieving their vision and goals.

Click here (link) to download the Framework Plan map.

Click here (link) to download the chapter summary shown above.

Click here (link) to download the Economic Development Plan map.

Vision

The Fox River Corridor will achieve a vibrant local economy anchored by recreation, ecologically sensitive development, and a clean healthy river for everyone to enjoy.

Key Findings

• The Fox River and surrounding open space attract visitors and generate business.
• McHenry and Johnsburg are reinvesting in their downtowns.
• Riverfront development prospects exist in McHenry’s and Johnsburg’s downtown.
• Reinvestment efforts may be interrupted by COVID-19.

Plan Recommendations

1. Continue to invest in public open space and downtown redevelopment.

• Promote infill and mixed-use development
• Increase public open space and riverfront access
• Improve local business communication and collaboration

2. Support resilient and ecologically sensitive development.

• Pursue river-oriented development
• Integrate natural resources mapping and riverfront design guidelines into the development review process
• Promote low-impact, conservation-oriented development

3. Market the Fox River as a destination for tourism and recreation.

• Participate in existing marketing efforts to promote local tourism
• Streamline recreation and tourism information
• Draw people to the river and downtowns via programs and events

For more details on the strategies and actions under each of these recommendations, click here (link) to download the full plan. The ‘Economic Development’ chapter starts on page 18.

Click here (link) to download the chapter summary shown above.

Click here (link) to download the Natural Resources Plan map.

Vision

The Fox River Corridor will boast a protected and connected network of thriving natural resources that helps communities withstand the impacts of climate change while also supporting recreation, diverse habitat, and economic activity.

Key Findings 

• Corridor communities are vulnerable to flooding.
• Water pollution affects aquatic life and limits recreation.
• Groundwater contamination is a threat to water supply and aquatic habitat.
• Open space provides ecosystem benefits and supports unique flora and fauna.

Plan Recommendations

1. Increase resilience of flood-prone communities.

• Invest in green and grey infrastructure
• Strengthen local ordinances
• Restore natural drainage areas and floodplains

2. Improve and protect water quality.

• Improve stormwater management and erosion control
• Enhance groundwater protection measures
• Modernize wastewater infrastructure and operations

3. Enhance diverse ecosystems.

• Target green infrastructure management and expansion
• Maximize resources for management and restoration

For more details on the strategies and actions under each of these recommendations, click here (link) to download the full plan. The ‘Natural Resources’ chapter starts on page 32.

Click here (link) to download the chapter summary shown above.

Vision

The Fox River Corridor will foster multi-jurisdictional collaboration that improves the health and management of the river, advances education and stewardship of community assets, and addresses watershed-wide stormwater challenges.

Key Findings

• Management of the river and supporting infrastructure is becoming progressively challenging.
• Sedimentation limits recreational boating and safe navigation.
• Citizen groups are working to improve water quality.
• Strong network of stewardship and management organizations.

Plan Recommendations

1. Support regional and bi-state efforts to address riverine flooding and sedimentation

• Convene the Fox River Flood Coalition
• Partner with USACE to study system-wide watershed issues

2. Maintain river capacity through increased coordination and collaboration

• Prioritize areas in most critical need with IDNR's modeling efforts
• Continue to monitor and communicate water level impacts
• Promote local partnerships to improve dredging operations

3. Educate and engage the public as stewards of the Corridor

• Build stewardship capacity through education and outreach
• Promote stewardship and volunteer opportunities

4. Collaborate across jurisdictions and with stakeholder groups

• Support existing cross-jurisdictional groups.
• Enhance watershed planning.
• Improve data collecting and sharing efforts.

For more details on the strategies and actions under each of these recommendations, click here (link) to download the full plan. The ‘Collaboration, Education, and Engagement’ chapter starts on page 52.

Click here (link) to download the chapter summary shown above.

Click here (link) to download the Recreation Plan map.

Vision

The Fox River Corridor will offer ample recreation opportunities through new and improved amenities while also balancing the protection of natural resources and increasing safe and convenient access to, from, and on the river for everyone.

Key Findings

• Public river access is limited throughout the Corridor
• There are opportunities to improve and expand recreational amenities and programming within the Corridor.
• There is a need for increased safety among all river users.

Plan Recommendations

1. Enhance river access and amenities

• Improve existing parks and open space
• Install wayfinding and interpretive signage
• Upgrade and repair boat docks and slips
• Improve canoe and kayak launches and portages

2. Improve safety for all river users

• Strengthen education on river safety
• Improve coordination across enforcement agencies and river-oriented businesses
• Communicate ideal routes and locations for non-motorized watercraft activities

For more details on the strategies and actions under each of these recommendations, click here (link) to download the full plan. The ‘Recreation’ chapter starts on page 66.

Click here (link) to download the chapter summary shown above.

Click here (link) to download the Bicycle and Pedestrian Improvements map.

Vision

The Fox River Corridor will create a safe, diverse, and equitable transportation network that boasts improved road infrastructure, bicycle amenities and walkable streets, as well as local and regional connections to and from popular destinations.

Key Findings

• Local trail systems could benefit from stronger connections to regional trail network.
• Safety and circulation within the Corridor are improving
• Limited public transit options to boost local and regional tourism

Plan Recommendations

1. Expand bicycle and pedestrian network

• Prioritize connections between commercial and recreational areas
• Develop signage and wayfinding
• Support the upcoming McHenry County Connection Master Plan

2. Improve transportation infrastructure and safety

• Leverage transportation and capital improvement programming
• Integrate complete streets policies into future transportation projects

3. Invest in walkability

• Add new and maintain existing pedestrian facilities
• Remove sidewalk gaps and improve circulation
• Improve crossings at major intersections

4. Diversify transportation options   

• Support active transportation
• Encourage public transportation ridership
• Evaluate parking and electric vehicle infrastructure

For more details on the strategies and actions under each of these recommendations, click here (link) to download the full plan. The ‘Transportation and Connectivity’ chapter starts on page 78.