1. Highland Park Country Club
Transitioning from Golf to Passive
Natural Open Space

2. Purpose of the Project
To transition the HPCC golf course to passive recreation open space in keeping with GreenPrint 2024

3. Why Do This?
Residents want outdoor and passive recreation opportunities
A rare chance to expand public open space and provide for connectivity
Stewardship of natural areas is part of our mission
2009 and 2013 Community Attitude and Interest Surveys
City of Highland Park Bike/Walk Plan 2030

4. How Do We Get Started: The Plan for the Plan
Begin organization of a stakeholder group.
Engage professionals to help plan, design and engineer a conservation-based master plan.
Seek opportunity to join efforts to mitigate flooding by reaching out to partners (City, County, Federal) to evaluate feasibility of stormwater storage.
How Do We Get Started: The Plan for the Plan

5. The Site Adjacent to Skokie River Woods
Route 22
Skokie River Woods
Adjacent to Skokie River Woods
Connectivity to Recreation Center of Highland Park
Existing trails connect to Route 22
Conservation easements
In the Chicago River floodplain
Hwy 41
Skokie River
HP Woods
RCHP
Park Ave.

6. What Will the Plan Look Like?
Mosaic of habitat areas, trails and amenities.
Based on analysis of site conditions and stakeholder participation.
Example: Buffalo Creek, LCFPD

7. What Will the Plan Do? Address community interests and concerns
safety, privacy, maintenance
Locate planting areas based on analysis of the site
soils, wetlands, topography
Identify passive recreation amenities to complement the landscape and meet community interests
picnic areas, observation areas, lawns, benches, etc.
Find best trail routes
cost effective, accessible, environmentally sensitive

8. Phase One: Planning Process/Site Analysis
Engage Stakeholders
Reach out to Partners to explore feasibility for stormwater storage
Gather public input, conduct site analysis, create conceptual plans and construction documents
Site Analysis:
Wetland Delineation and Topological Surveys
Geotechnical Investigation
Drainage Investigation
Maintenance

9. Phase Two: Development
Accessible trails providing regional connectivity
Creation of naturalized habitat
seeding with native seeds
installing live plants
naturalizing pond shoreline
Allowance for other amenities TBD thru planning process
Maintenance
Gallery Park, Glenview (the Glen)

10. Phase 3: Long-Term Maintenance
Provide for establishment and aesthetics of habitat aspects by budgeting for maintenance and contingencies
First year sleeps
Second year creeps
Third year leaps
Chicago Botanic Garden shoreline

11. Community Engagement
Engage Partners and Stakeholders (local and regional agencies, community groups, residents)
Collaborative Planning Advisory Committee
Series of Public Meetings and Demonstration Events
Public comment periods
Opportunities for plan review throughout the design process

12. Wrap Up/Next Steps Golf decision
Begin with planning and stakeholder engagement
Open to public
Photo credits: Bob Kirschner, Chicago Botanic Garden; Lake Country Forest Preserve District; Liz Ettelson, PDHP