Lakefront Renovations

Release Date: Sep. 19, 2008

HIGHLAND PARK, Ill., September 19, 2008— On November 4 the residents of Highland Park, Fort Sheridan and Kings Cove in Deerfield will be asked a yes or no question on the ballot to improve lakefront properties, Rosewood Beach and Central Park. The referendum question will ask for $32 million to finance the construction costs and future operational expenses for both of these lakefront beaches. However, it will not cover the harbor. An additional $13 million will be raised privately to cover the costs of the proposed harbor. The tax implications will be $67 per $100,000 of fair market value on a resident’s home.

The public beaches in Highland Park have aged and our sand has been depleted. The Board of Park Commissioners’ goal is to bring the community back down to the lakefront and experience nature. The lakefront improvement plan ties together active and passive recreational opportunities with environmental approaches to help preserve and protect Highland Park’s beaches, bluffs and ravines.

The plan for Rosewood Beach envisions naturally inspired breakwaters. These breakwaters are constructed of rockpile with vegetation to provide wildlife habitat and blend in with the environment. The construction and placement of these breakwaters are expected to protect the beaches and sand. A ravine loop trail and bluff walk will highlight an original Jens Jensen landscape design that will be restored to its original intent at the upper park. In addition there will be a year-round lakefront educational center, and a seasonal bathhouse and concession area for summertime beachgoers. Visitors can walk the length of the beach on a promenade that winds through the natural areas and features picnic tables and shelters. A spray play playground area is also in the plans for children to enjoy on days when the lake is too cold or rough. At the south end of the beach there will be a renovated fishing pier.

The enhanced lakefront environment at Central Park will include an expanded and renovated boat launch, a boating educational center and a small-craft sailing facility. A completely new, naturally inspired lakefill breakwater and promenade will be added. The plans include a harbor house complete with a café, marine store and amenities for boaters and beachgoers. Also, new to Central, there will be a swimming area at the north end of the beach. Adjacent to the swimming beach will be a coastal marsh. This area will cleanse the stormwater that runs from the ravines before it reaches Lake Michigan. A harbor, which will feature approximately 125 boat slips, is in the plan but will be paid for by user fees and private funding. This element of the plan is not part of the referendum.
 
The lakefront improvement plan incorporates naturally-inspired, green-sensitive designs and recreational opportunities for all ages. 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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