Fort Sheridan Forest Preserve to Expand with Addition of 18 Acres

The Lake County Forest Preserves (LCFP) Board of Commissioners approved the purchase of 18.2 acres to expand Fort Sheridan Forest Preserve, in Lake Forest, at a meeting in July.

The U.S. Department of the Navy is selling the $6 million property located on the east side of Patten Road in unincorporated Highwood. It consists of a bluff surrounded on three sides by the ravines of the Openlands Lakeshore Preserve, a 71.5-acre parcel. The parcel was gifted to the Forest Preserves last summer by Openlands, a Chicago-based regional conservation organization and land trust, as an addition to Fort Sheridan.

“This is a tremendous enhancement for Fort Sheridan,” says Executive Director Alex Ty Kovach. “We’re elated with this result after 11 years of dedicated work, first by Openlands’ staff and then by the Forest Preserves.”

The new land meets Forest Preserves’ goals of protecting wildlife habitat; preserving wetlands, prairies and forests; providing scenic vistas; and adding to existing preserves.

“This is a special parcel that will enhance the preserve and is a unique habitat that our district is now able to protect,” says Board Member Paul Frank. Once the transaction closes, the property will be one contiguous parcel surrounded by forest preserves, making landscape management easier and more cost-effective.

“This acquisition is a rare chance to preserve a highly developable piece of land,” says Angelo Kyle, president of the LCFP. “We are delighted to have the opportunity to purchase and eventually restore this valuable land.”

Currently, there are no funds available to restore the property. However, if a November 5 referendum passes, funds will be allocated for developing a master plan for the portions of Fort Sheridan added in the past two years to integrate them into the northern portion of the preserve.

Voters will be asked to approve the sale of $155 million in bonds; $65 million will be used for land acquisition and $90 million for public access improvements and habitat restoration. The estimated annual increase on a Lake County home valued at $300,000 is just under $33.

For more information, visit lcfpd.org.

“The Lake County Board continues to march forward in our commitment towards innovative environmental policies and decisions as highlighted in our strategic plan,” says Sandy Hart, Lake County Board Chair. “We are taking a proactive approach to safeguard the numerous bird species that enrich our natural landscape and our lives.”

Nearly 1 billion birds annually collide with glass in the United States according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. To birds, glass is an invisible, deceiving threat. Since they cannot see glass the way people do, they do not treat it as a barrier to avoid.

“Bird-friendly infrastructure is not just a win for the environment, but also for the community at large,” says Paul Frank, Lake County Finance and Administrative Committee Chair. “These measures will help reduce bird collisions, conserve biodiversity and set a precedent for sustainable development that municipalities, other counties, businesses and residents can practice too.”

Those seeking to make major renovations or construct new buildings in unincorporated Lake County must obtain permits. Lake County Planning, Building and Development will work with builders to ensure compliance with the bird-friendly requirements. Projects can meet these standards through exterior screens, façade modifications, bird-friendly films, coatings or etched/fritted glass.

“Last month, we took a significant step by mandating bird-friendly glass for Lake County government buildings,” says Jessica Vealitzek, Chair of the Planning, Building, Zoning and Environment Committee. “Now, with this new ordinance for non-residential buildings in unincorporated Lake County, we are broadening our impact. By implementing these changes, we will save countless birds each year, reinforcing their vital role in our ecosystem.”  

For more information about the county’s sustainability efforts, visit LakeCountyil.gov/sustainability.