History of Green Trails - Part 2

In the October Pathfinder, we presented excerpts from Ralph Kristensen’s 1980 history of Green Trails about the evolution of its planning and development.  Below are some more of Ralph Kristensen’s observations on related topics.  Subtitles and updates [] added.

The trail system
To gain further perspective of Green Trails evolution, another planning factor conceived initially and perpetuated since, must be understood: the “rear yard orientation” of lots to the trail system.   Typical front yard building setbacks and sidewalks were eliminated in order to gain more usable land and visual openness at the rear of homes.  The theory was that this is where most families spend their time outdoors.  Keeping children away from the streets and the increasing popularity of jogging, walking, cross-country skiing and cycling for the whole family were also factors in planning.

The trail system has grown in scope from 14 miles in 118 acres initially to approximately 21 miles in 130 acres.  The developer’s intentions were not to saddle a homeowner association with [previously] popular amenities of large and expensive buildings, pools, etc.  It was reasoned at the time, a more permanent amenity of land was more appropriate.  The intention was to provide the land necessary to accomplish this “unique” concept with the basic ingredients of grading, path and lighting installed.  In the case of the larger areas that would become Park District parks, tennis courts and play equipment were added.  The total open space system (Park District and GTIA) represents an estimated cost of GT, Ltd., in land and improvements of $4,000,000 [1980 or prior dollars].

While finite and “manicured” landscaping of the trail and open [land] system would, of course, have been desirable, it was not a practical one for GT, Ltd. to undertake.  Again, it was reasoned that if GT, Ltd. could provide the basic system, the homeowner association, Park District, and individual homeowners could, and would, “manicure” it in time and at their own pace.

Lakes and storm water
The only original lake in Green Trails was dug by the monks of the Abbey and is the one at College Road and Abbeywood Drive.  All the rest were built with the project.  The lakes [are] all owned and maintained, above the water line, by the Park District (below the water line by the Village).  The lakes perform two functions: one is the critically important role of storm water management; the other is the visual and recreational function.  The storm water management system for a 745 [acre] tract of land was, understandably, complex.  The engineering theory on which it was based is keeping rainwater as close to the point it falls for as long as possible.  To minimize the erosion impact on downstream areas, drainage law states that water cannot be allowed to leave “your” property any faster or in any increased quantity than it did when the land was undeveloped.  The trail system itself is the other, equally important, ingredient in the storm water system.  Grades in the open areas are very sensitive and cannot be altered without affecting the system.

Commercial areas 
[Early maps of Green Trails, show the currently developed commercial areas as #II and #III.  What about #I?  In a recent conversation, Ralph Kristensen brought up the fact that Commercial Area #1 was a site of a large barn in what is now Heritage Farms. The barn burned prior to construction getting underway.  After the fire, there was some thought about trying to reconstruct the barn for commercial purposes, but it was rejected as economically unfeasible.  This commercial site, along with the multifamily areas around it, later developed as single family homes.]

[Commercial area II was originally a 15 acre site, bounded by College Road, Green Trails Drive, and stretching west to Lexington Road and north to Village property where the water tower sits.  In 1986, the property was subdivided into the current College Road Shopping Center and the 40-lot single family homes of Lakewood South.]

Fast early growth
Green Trails matured much quicker than anticipated.  Its rapid acceptance and growth took everyone by surprise including GT, Ltd., the Village, the Park District, and the Green Trails Improvement Association.

In its planning years of 1973 and 1974, the economic studies and demographics of Green Trails dictated a “modest” number (717) of single family homes on 70 foot wide lots and with retail sales prices averaging $54,000.  In actuality, the buyers of homes, strengthened economically by the ability to include spouses’ income for borrowing power, demanded larger and larger houses.  The builders who bought these already platted 70 foot wide lots accommodated the market’s demands.

[It would be difficult to pinpoint an average original cost for the homes sold during the late 1970’s.  With demand high, it was a time of rapidly rising prices.  A home model, which sold initially for prices in the mid $80,000 range, might sell two years later in the upper $90,000’s.  The average price paid for homes as they were built in the late 1970’s was likely pushing closer to $100,000 than that $54,000 figure from the developer’s economic studies.]

Growth continued at varied pace
[High interest rates in the early 1980’s slowed building nearly to a halt.  Development then continued at a varied pace throughout the 1980’s.  The last area of the 1975 Green Trails Planned Unit Development to be subdivided in final form was Tyrnbury in 1988.  In its finished state, Green Trails is platted for 1675 single family homes.  (Each of several duplexes are counted as two single family.)  Additionally, there are 836 condos and apartments, totaling 2511 dwelling units in Green Trails.  One home on Coach House Road was just built in year 2000.  All but two lots, both in Surrey Ridge 1, have been built upon.]

[In addition to the land included in the 1975 Green Trails PUD, two adjacent areas have developed during the 1990’s.  Collegewood Court (4 single family homes) became associate members of Green Trails Improvement Association in 1996 and 1997, respectively.]

Return to History Part 1