Park District of Highland Park Plans Renovations of Lakefront
Release Date: Jun. 26, 2008
HIGHLAND PARK, Ill., June 26, 2008— For over 100 years, Highland Park’s lakefront among the bluffs and ravines of the beautiful North Shore of Lake Michigan has provided local residents with a place to cool off with a swim during the summer, a place to launch a boat for an afternoon of sailing, or a place just to sit, relax, and shuffle their toes in the sand. But in recent years, the facilities along the lakefront have become old and tired.
This week, the Park District of Highland Park announced plans to renovate two of its beachfront properties, Rosewood Beach and Central Park. After a two-year planning process that involved many members of the community and its leadership, the Park District will ask Highland Park voters to approve a referendum on November 4 for $32 million to renovate the two lakefront parks. An additional $13 million will be raised privately to cover the costs of a proposed harbor. The tax implications will be approximately $67 per $100,000 of fair market value on a resident’s home.
Waterfront planners JJR, LLC, were enlisted to develop the vibrant, green-inspired plan, with much community input along the way. At Rosewood Beach, the plans envision new and improved facilities that are expected to draw families, seniors, water sports enthusiasts, and people of all ages.
The proposed new 1,550-foot lakefront environment will include naturally inspired breakwaters along the shoreline, which are constructed of rockpile with vegetation to provide wildlife habitat and blend in with the environment. A Ravine Loop Trail and bluff walk will highlight an original Jens Jensen landscape design that is being restored to its original intent. A year-round Education Center with classrooms and a beautiful plaza and boardwalk will draw visitors from around the region. A seasonal bathhouse for summertime beach-goers is being added, with changing rooms and showers, a concession stand, outdoor grills, and a beach office.
Also included at Rosewood Beach is a 950-foot Promenade along the length of the lakefront that
winds softly through the natural areas and features picnic tables and shelters that will be available for party rentals. Other exciting features are a “spray play” playground area for families with young children (in the shape of Lake Michigan!) and a completely renovated fishing pier at the south end of the beach.
Central Park will become a boater’s paradise. The enhanced lakefront environment will include an expanded and renovated boat launch just to the south of the current water plant facility; a boating educational center and a small-craft sailing facility; a completely new, naturally inspired lakefill breakwater and promenade; and a swimming area at the north end of the beach.
A harbor will be added, which will feature approximately 125 boat slips that could be reserved through a licensing agreement with the Park District. It’s important to note that the Park District intends to pay for these elements of the plan through user fees and private funding, not through the referendum. A Harbor House will also be added, which includes a beautiful lake view, a seasonal public cafe, a marine store, and amenities including showers, restrooms, and laundry for boaters and beachgoers.
The goals of the project were to provide a unique and attractive resource on Lake Michigan for all residents of Highland Park, as well as to provide additional recreation opportunities for people of all ages throughout Highland Park and beyond. The naturally-inspired, green-sensitive design, and both parks include numerous environmental features, sustainable landscapes, and habitat for local wildlife.
If the referendum is successful in November, construction is anticipated to begin in 2010 with plans calling for the parks to open sometime in summer 2011.
For more information about the proposed lakefront plans, go to www.hplakefront.org or call 847.579.3104.
About the Park District of Highland Park
The Park District of Highland Park, founded in 1909, operates and manages over 600 acres of land in 44 park areas, and offers approximately 2,800 recreation and seasonal programs. Facilities include an indoor ice arena, indoor tennis and racquetball complex, two recreation centers, a nature center, an 18-hole golf course, driving range, adventure golf, aquapark, beaches, boat launch ramp and yacht club on Lake Michigan.
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Important Documents
Central Park PerspectiveRosewood Beach Plan
Rosewood Beach PerspectiveCentral Park Plan
