Geneva City Council opted last week not to take action on a potential sale of Loomis Woods, a 15-acre wooded parcel on the city’s north side that has been considered for housing development.
The council’s decision came after months of public input and debate over the future of the city-owned parkland, which includes trails and informal access near North Street School. The land was donated to the city more than a century ago and has long been used as open space.
Earlier this year, the city held a public hearing to gather community feedback on whether to consider changing the use of Loomis Woods and possibly selling it to a local resident who offered up to $1 million for the property with the intent of developing housing. Many speakers at the hearing urged the council to leave the woodland intact and preserve it as parkland, pointing to its historical significance and recreational use.
Mayor Jim Cecere described the legal and logistical hurdles involved and said the council would be more likely to consider any specific development proposal if it included clear details and acknowledged financial, legal and timing realities.
Opponents of a potential sale have also pointed to community use of the woods and concerns about setting a precedent for selling public parkland that was intended to remain open space when it was donated.
For now, Council members left Loomis Woods’ status unchanged. Cecere said Friday that the discussion is closed for the moment, signaling that the city will continue to prioritize preserving the property while balancing broader housing and budget considerations.
