Background
Fort Sheridan was decommissioned as a military base in 1993. The LCFPD acquired what is now the Forest Preserve property from the military beginning in 1998. Under the terms mutually agreed when the transfer of property took place, the original golf course was to be restored.
That project was delayed by piles of dirt left behind by the property developer when the Town of Fort Sheridan subdivision was built in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Now it is on the front burner again because, in August, 2008, the original developers agreed to pay $1.75 million to the Lake County Forest Preserve District (LCFPD) to settle a lawsuit to pay for the dirt removal and re-grading of the site.
Moving forward, LCFPD found itself hemmed in on one side by a deed restriction requiring a golf course to be operated on this land “in perpetuity.” Yet the financial estimates for building and operating the golf course and downward trends in golf rounds suggested that the golf course might not be financially self-sustaining.
In early 2009, LCFPD reconvened a Fort Sheridan Master Plan Advisory Committee made up of neighboring local municipal districts and Lake County Board members to research the issue and return a recommendation. The Advisory Committee has been meeting on a regular basis.
In November, 2010, the Advisory Committee held its final meeting. Members were polled and issued a splintered decision. Three members opposed the golf course development “at all” or “at this time.” Six members supported going forward with a golf course but with strong sentiment that it should require private investment and operation. Of those who supported the golf course development some felt that a 9-hole course would permit the land to be shared with passive public access use. Others held to the original concept of an 18-hole championship course.
In June, 2011, the Lake County Forest Preserve District Board voted to privatize their commitment to the Fort Sheridan golf course. The Board authorized up to $70,000 to prepare bid specifications and issue an Request for Proposal (RFP) to design, build and operate a nine-hole golf course.
January 6, 2012 was the due date for bidders to respond to the RFP. No company elected to respond, leaving the Forest Board without a private entity willing to take the risk of developing a golf course. With the Forest Preserve District unwilling to take the risk of developing the golf course and no private developer stepping forward, the Forest Board is left with few options. It is anticipated their next step will be to re-negotiate with the US Army to have the golf course requirement removed from the deed restriction. A formal proposal to take this step will come before the Forest Preserve Board for a vote on Tuesday, March 13, 2012.
Issues
Economics
From a purely economic point of view, a golf course could be problematic. Golf courses operated by the county cannot be financed by taxpayer dollars; construction and operating costs must be self-sustaining. A new golf course would have to compete with the many other public courses on the North Shore in a declining golf market. In recent years, Lake County has been losing money on two of its three existing golf courses.
Communities adjacent to the Fort Sheridan site are not doing very well either with their golf operations. The City of Highland Park and the Park District of Highland Park each operate their own municipal golf course which have year over year operating losses. To the north, the village of Lake Bluff and City of Lake Forest have municipal golf courses that also have annual operating losses. Golf consultants hired by the Forest Board indicate a Fort Sheridan golf course will reduce the revenue of all neighboring municipal courses.
Public Access
From a habitat conservation and public access point of view, there are other concerns. According to the LCFPD website (www.lcfpd.org), for example, the master plan calls for a small visitor center and clubhouse on top of the bluff. You can download the master plan here. Recommendations of the Advisory Committee now call for sharing the open space with greatly reduced public access and a reduced 9-hole course instead of the originally conceived 18-hole golf course.
Habitat
The golf course may also threaten some of the 140 species known to migrate through the property.The grassland just north of the parking lot has regularly attracted Savannah Sparrows, Eastern Meadowlarks, Bobolinks and Dickcissels.
During the spring, the small pond atop the bluff hosts an unusual variety of migrating waterfowl, including Blue and Green-winged Teals, Redheads and Ring-necked Ducks. The last several winters, Snow Buntings were reported foraging in the upland and beach habitat, and at least one report of a Northern Shrike was been confirmed.
In December 2011, during the annual Christmas Bird Count, two rare species, one Federally endangered, were identified at the Fort Sheridan Forest Preserve. These were the Henslow’s and LeConte’s Sparrows.
Statewide Significance
By the county’s own account, the Fort Sheridan Forest Preserve is of statewide significance because its bluff areas contain the largest and best remaining examples of natural prairie-like vegetation that once occurred along the lake bluffs of Illinois.” Whether this status can be sustained with a golf course remains to be seen.
I don’t think any of those species were threatened when this parcel by what was an operating golf course in this spot for most of the last 80 years. Do you?
It was first opened and operated as a golf course by the Army in 1937. It may not have been in continuous operation up until 2004, but your website makes it seem as if this was untouched nature preserve, which it clearly was not.
By: Hon. Cranial Lamb on June 16, 2009
at 2:18 AM
You’re probably right. Most of those identified species may not have been endangered 80 years ago. And it is regrettable that they are today as a result of massive losses of habitat in which they might thrive. But now that they’ve been identified, it seems like some consideration should be given to their existence. I also believe that these specific endangered species can be accommodated whether this land were a golf course or an open access public space. So I believe it is a non-issue in the decision process.
This land has not been an untouched nature preserve. It has been an airstrip and a Nike missle site. Its been used for artillery. That it has now fallen into the local government’s hands and is committed to public access is a miracle. Yet the land has international significance that we locals, as most locals always do, take for granted.
The bluffs over Lake Michigan are a unique phenomena. They are celebrated at the Indiana Dunes State Park, along much of the western shore of Michigan and particulary at Sleeping Bear Dunes State Park. Having this beautiful bluff on which the public can gather is a treasure and we must care for it responsibly.
By: Sonny on June 18, 2009
at 9:24 PM
One, do we want to pour more and more chemicals into our watershed which is what a golfcourse does. According to, Environment Illinois, “Lake Michigan is also in danger from rampant shoreline development, toxic pollution, invasive species, sewage overflows and unrestricted water withdrawals. Scientists warn that the lakes are on the verge of ecological collapse”.
It is particularly concerning when the proposed watershed dumps directly into Lake Michigan
Two, why use this gift of open land for yet another golf couse. One of my favorite courses is 2 minutes away from Fort Sheridan, Highland Park Country Club, only $15 for 9 holes, $25.00 for 18, in Highland Park, just around the corner. Please read the description below from their web site.
Operated for most of its 40 years as an exclusive private country club, Highland Park’s immaculately maintained 18- hole public golf course offers an unforgettable challenge for players of all skill levels. In 1997, world-renowned architect Dick Nugent re-designed the course adding subtle challenges to this pristine old-style, country club layout. With over 1,700 trees lining the fairways and large undulating greens, Highland Park’s scenic beauty and world-class amenities make it the perfect locale for golf outings, weddings, banquets and fundraising events.
Do we need another golf course? How lucky we are that open land was given back to us on this more crowded/congested edge of Lake Michigan.
Let’s use it wisely with all species in mind.
By: Maria Baumgartel on April 14, 2010
at 7:00 AM