Online Survey Gauges Residents' Outlook on Sunrise Beach, Park

In a 2009 survey gauging community interest, residents indicated was the village’s No. 1 asset.

The park and beach also were chosen as the No. 1 place for improvements.

“We didn’t ask what improvements at that time,” said Ron Salski, executive director of .

Now they are.

In a survey posted on the park district’s website, residents are asked a series of questions outlining possible additions to , ranging from a food/beverage concession area, a shelter to a central beach house facility with bathrooms and activity room.

Residents also are queried on:

• use of the beach, such as public access to sailboats, windsurfers, kayaks and canoes.

• whether there should be an increase in program offerings at the beach.

• the dog beach, and whether the space is being put to good use or not.

• the sewage pumping facility and whether the building needs improvement or not.

The survey will remain posted until Oct. 23, Salski said. Once the data is gathered, it will be used as part of the ’s master plan for over the next 20 years.

A citizen’s action committee recommended the use of an online survey to gauge public interest. The committee, composed of seven Lake Bluff residents plus a park and village board liaison, is chaired by Geoff Surkamer. The committee was established in the fall of 2010 by the Park District Board of Commissioners to advise the and work in collaboration with the on a long-term plan for .

The master plan will take two to three years to complete, and will come back to the community again for input. Salski said public meetings to discuss the survey results will be held during the first six months of 2012.

“We’re not hiring an architect or anyone at this point with regards to Sunrise,” he said. “This is just a gathering of data at this point.”