On The Campaign Trail - Is Anyone Watching?

One of my favorite places in Kendall County is the old Millbrook Bridge.  It used to carry vehicle traffic over the Fox River until the newer bridge was built.  In fact, I drove across it shortly after I was granted a driver's license.  After the new bridge was constructed, the old bridge was sold to Lord Peter Palumbo. 

Palumbo, an English nobleman, was so infatuated with Kendall County that he restored the bridge and gave it to the Kendall County Forest Preserve Board to be used as a park.  He repaired the bridge decking and painted the entire bridge bright silver.   He also made minor repairs as needed to the supporting structures.

This old bridge allows families’ access to the river in a unique fashion.  Fishermen are the most numerous visitors but walkers/hikers are also prominent users.  Views from the bridge deck are impressive and not seen anywhere else in the county.  Nature is in full view in a seasonally changing landscape. It is truly a unique recreation opportunity.

Look closely now at the pictures of the old bridge.  Since receiving the bridge, little or no maintenance has been performed on it.  You can see a little of the shiny silver paint yet on the east end of the bridge.  Mostly it is becoming a rusty brown hue.  More importantly, look at the piers.  About two years ago, I stood before the Kendall County Forest Preserve Board and alerted them to the deteriorating condition of the bridge supports.  The members all agreed it should be looked at and a study was conducted.  Yet two years later, it is in worse shape and continuing to decay. 

I agree that old bridge parks are not essential to the operation of county government.  It certainly isn’t as important as the Sheriff’s police or the Health Department.  However, the bridge belongs to the taxpayers of Kendall County and as such, should be cared for and maintained. 

The current board has been unable, in two years, to find a solution to this problem.  Hopefully, county residents see this inability to work together and will bring new faces and voices to the board in time to save this treasure.  

Jeff Spang is a lifelong resident of Kendall County, married to his wife Sandy for over 38 years,  and has raised two daughters through the Yorkville School System.  He currently resides in Millbrook, IL.  Jeff retired after a 25 year career as an Air Traffic Controller and is currently employed as a Paramedic and volunteer firefighter for Little Rock-Fox Fire Protection District in Plano, Illinois. Jeff can be reached by e-mail at jeff@spang.us or by mail at P.O. Box 52, Millbrook, Il. 60536.