Lakefront park planned for old army post
Fort Sheridan: Kirk to announce decision at Monday press conference

By Frank Abderholden
STAFF WRITER

FORT SHERIDAN - U.S. Rep. Mark Kirk, R-Highland Park, announced Thursday he has won approval for legislation to block any high-rise developers from building on the bluffs at Fort Sheridan by creating a new park.

Kirk will explain the new legislation, which has the Navy transferring ownership of key Lake Michigan bluffs to an environmental trust, at a 10 a.m. press conference Monday at the Midwest Young Artists Building at the old Fort Sheridan, 878 Lyster St.

The congressman said he has been working with the Open Lands Association to preserve and restore the bluffs to their natural habitat. Kirk will outline the proposed boundaries of the new Lake Michigan park and highlight the endangered species that will be protected along the shoreline.

He said the new park to protect the bluffs will be one of the only original Lake Michigan shoreline habitats open to the public.

The former Army post, with sweeping lake views, was closed in 1993. The Army began carving up the land, setting aside about 100 acres for the Army Reserves. The Navy received about 200 acres for housing and offices.

Highwood and Highland Park were given property in the fort's historic district, while most of the remaining property, essentially the post golf course, went to the Lake County Forest Preserve District.

In the past few years, former officers' quarters were renovated into expensive private homes and condominiums. The area is now known as the Town of Fort Sheridan. Kirk is a resident of that area.

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