Wednesday, May 15, 2013
Joint effort to remove garlic mustard set this weekend.
People with a bent for community service and nature are encouraged to be part of Volunteer Workday from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday at either Forest Park or McCormick Ravine, according to information from the City of Lake Forest. The program is a joint effort of the City and Lake Forest Open Lands Association. “This workday will be great opportunity for families to get their hands dirty and to learn about the ecological importance of both of these Lake Forest natural areas,” a City news release said. Volunteers are encouraged to wear pants, long sleeves and sturdy shoes which can get dirty, according to the release. Gloves and safety glasses will be provided. People can contact the City Department of Forestry or Open Lands for more information…
Wednesday, February 27, 2013
In letter to the city, Mayor Schoenheider describes public-private partnership to work on Forest Park.
- OPINION
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Wednesday, February 27
Dear Fellow Residents: The City of Lake Forest has joined with a group of citizens, the Forest Park Project Corporation, to undertake the restoration, enhancement and preservation of Forest Park. The City has had a number of public/private partnerships to renovate and enhance our public spaces, such as Market Square and Elawa Farm, and we are excited about this latest project. As you know, Forest Park is one of the signature elements of Lake Forest. It is the gateway to our wonderful beach and lake front facilities. Many people come to the Park to enjoy a quiet moment overlooking Lake Michigan. Over the years, some of the Park’s original character, dating back to the very early days of Lake Forest, has been lost…
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
City will come back with agreement that earmarks how the process will be carried out.
For the second time in recent history, the city of Lake Forest will partner with a special community board to create another gem worthy of civic pride after the City Council unanimously approved the Forest Park Master Plan Monday night. The City Council’s approval closed more than two years of public debate on the master plan since it formed the Forest Park Project Board comprised of residents in May 2010 after approving the conceptual master plan. The master plan came to the City Council after approvals from both the Parks and Recreation Board and Historic Preservation Commission. “It’s a different master plan and more importantly, it’s a better master plan,” said Ralph Gesualdo, president of the Forest Park Project Board. “I think it’s…
Thursday, May 17, 2012
Will go to Lake Forest City Council Monday night with conditions added.
When Lake Forest planner Almerin Hotchkiss set aside Forest Park in his 1873 Master Plan for the city, the significance of his decision reverberated nearly 140 years later at Wednesday night’s Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) meeting. “This is our Plymouth rock,” said HPC board member James Preschalk said. “It’s sacred land.” The HPC unanimously approved the Forest Park Project master plan to end nearly two years of discussions and meetings since the Lake Forest City Council formed the special board of residents in May 2010 when it approved the conceptual master plan. The HPC’s recommendation gives the Lake Forest City Council an opportunity to formally give it a stamp of approval at its Monday night (May 21) meeting. The HPC’s …
42.25386
-87.82228
Forest Park Beach
Lake Rd & E Deerpath, Lake Forest, IL
/articles/hpc-approves-forest-park-project-master-plan
1449465
/locations/7039206
Sunday, May 6, 2012
The council could discuss the proposed master plan as soon as May 21.
Parking and the installation of a walking and biking path proved to be the most contentious components of the Forest Park Project master plan at Thursday night’s joint meeting of the Historic Preservation Commission and the Parks and Recreation Board. Both bodies will discuss the Forest Park Project master plan at their next meetings — May 8 for Parks and Recreation and May 16 for the Historic Preservation Commission — and make a recommendation to the Lake Forest City Council before its May 21 meeting. The City Council set aside $100,000 in its 2012 budget for the renovations and plans to seek more funds from private donors. The Forest Park Project Board suggested moving parking out of the center of the park and creating a parking area …
Friday, May 4, 2012
Members of the Historic Preservation Committee voiced their opposition to much of the master plan.
Rather than pave the way to compromise, the Lake Forest Parks and Recreation Board and the Historic Preservation Commission made their different stances on what should be done with Forest Park seem nearly irreconcilable at Thursday night’s three and a half hour long special joint meeting. Members of the Forest Park Project Board presented a revised edition of their master plan, but were met with strong criticism from members of the Historic Preservation Commission, which questioned whether renovating Forest Park was necessary at all. Historic Preservation Commission Chairman Kurt Pairitz was particularly concerned with keeping Forest Park true to the vision of architect O.C. Simonds, who designed the park in 1901. “The (master plan) …
Thursday, March 22, 2012
Residents concerned over changing historic flavor of park.
Lake Forest residents are asking the Forest Park Project Board not to disturb or change the historic flavor of the park during Tuesday night's presentation of the draft master plan to the Lake Forest Parks and Recreation Board. "This is a concept, but this is not a master plan in any sense," said resident Rommy Lopat. "Bringing these plans was more than premature. There are a few problems. The parking is well-used and all day long. What's wrong with having 8-15 cars in the park? Now the plan proposes parallel parking; the park needs to encourage, not disenfranchise the public from using the park." In contrast, park board members mostly were pleased compared to the mixed reaction from residents. The plan was to be presented again Wednesday …
Thursday, February 16, 2012
More time provided to complete Master Plan documents for presentation.
- GOVERNMENT
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Thursday, February 16, 2012
At the request of the Forest Park Project Board, the city of Lake Forest will postpone the public hearings related to the Forest Park Master Plan until March. This will allow time to complete the master plan documents taking into consideration recent feedback received and on-going work conducted by the Forest Park Project Board. The Feb. 22 Historic Preservation Commission meeting will not include the Forest Park Master Plan as an agenda item, and the special meeting of the Park and Recreation Board on Feb. 23 has been canceled. The March meeting dates are tentatively scheduled as follows: Park and Recreation Board-Special Meeting: Tuesday, March 20; Historic Preservation Commission-Regular Scheduled Meeting: Wednesday, March 21. All …
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Letter notes board will present master plan to Historic Preservation Committee within the first quarter of this year.
- GOVERNMENT
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Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Read our previous stories on the Forest Park Project Board.
Monday, September 26, 2011
Residents encourage Forest Park Project Board to honor the century-plus old design of the park when developing its master plan.
A group of Lake Forest residents made it clear last week that they want to see as few changes as possible made to Forest Park as the city continues to work toward a master plan for the future of Lake Forest’s oldest park. In a joint informational meeting between the Historic Preservation Commission, and the Parks and Recreation Board, which took place Sept. 21 at City Hall, residents and board members received an update from three separate committees of the Forest Park Project Board, and were given the opportunity to provide feedback and suggestions for the master plan. “This is a presentation of findings to date,” explained Mary Van Arsdale, Lake Forest’s director of parks, forestry and recreation. “No actions will be taken by the board…
42.25386
-87.82228
Forest Park Beach
Lake Rd & E Deerpath, Lake Forest, IL
/articles/cultural-landscape-defines-forest-parks-future
1449465
/locations/5458590
42.2471
-87.849299
Lake Forest Parks & Recreation Department
400 Hastings Rd, Lake Forest, IL
/articles/cultural-landscape-defines-forest-parks-future
1759488
/locations/5458591
42.251046
-87.841648
City of Lake Forest
220 E Deerpath, Lake Forest, IL
/articles/cultural-landscape-defines-forest-parks-future
184311
/locations/5458592
Marianne Ornsby
5:58 pm on Friday, May 25, 2012
For those who are interested Forest Park and would like a bit more backround on this type of project, The American Society of Landscape Architects(www.asla.org) has a good article; ASLA "PRESERVATION OF HISTORIC SITES, DISTRICTS AND CULTURAL LANDSCAPES". Well worth the reading. more ›