Fort Sheridan Forest Preserve

September 1, 2015 12:55 PM

Lakeshore

At their Monday, August 31 meeting, members of the Forest Preserve Planning and Restoration Committee unanimously approved a Revised Concept Plan for Fort Sheridan Forest Preserve and authorized staff to prepare the Final Master Plan and cost estimates.

View Revised Concept Plan

Next Steps

1. The Revised Concept Plan will be presented for review and comment to three additional standing committees in October: Education, Cultural Resources and Public Affairs, Land Preservation and Acquisition, and Finance and Administrative. Following these committee reviews, our landscape architects and planners will proceed with finalizing the plan and preparing cost estimates. The Final Master Plan and project costs will be presented for review and comment to the Planning and Restoration Committee in November.

2. If approved by the Planning and Restoration Committee, the Final Master Plan will then go to the full Board of Commissioners for review at their regular monthly meeting in November.

Meeting Information

Check the Annual Meeting Calendar for dates and locations.
View meeting notices and agendas in advance of the meetings.
Call 847-367-6640, to verify meeting information, as times and locations occasionally change.

Project Background

In March 2015, the Planning and Restoration Committee reviewed two concept plans that explored a wide range of ideas for public access and natural resource restoration improvements at Fort Sheridan. After extensive review and discussion, the Committee authorized staff to schedule the second Public Open House and offer the public an opportunity to view and provide input on the Concept Plans. Approximately 240 people attended the Open House on April 8, 2015.

In addition to the comments received from the Open House, staff and Commissioners continued to receive written comments via multiple written communication methods including an online forum, emails and letters. More than 500 public comments were received in response to the Concept Plans that were presented in March. All comments were compiled into a Public Involvement Booklet, which was distributed to the Committee on July 6, 2015.

During the past few months, additional data on visitor and parking lot use patterns at Fort Sheridan Forest Preserve was collected to assist staff with the development of a revised concept plan. After a thorough review of the additional survey data and comments received from the public, Commissioners, staff and community partners, a revised concept plan was prepared that best represents the core mission of the Lake County Forest Preserves and is consistent with the agency's Vision and Strategic Plan.

Questions or comments? Send email to Fort@LCFPD.org.

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