Des Plaines finalizes deal to buy former Methodist campground

In its latest effort to prevent homes and businesses from flooding, the Des Plaines City Council on Monday agreed to spend $4 million to purchase most of a historic campground.

The deal ends a five-year legal battle between the city and the Chicago District Camp Ground Association, which owns the eponymous property at 1250 Campground Road. The association already has approved the agreement.

Founded in 1860 on the Des Plaines River’s east bank, the property long had been called the Methodist Camp Ground but no longer is affiliated with that religious tradition, the association has said. The group now is nondenominational Christian.

The campground features dozens of cottages, several tabernacles and other structures. People live there throughout the year.

The site and its buildings repeatedly have been damaged by floods triggered by heavy rains that made the lengthy river overflow its banks throughout the suburbs.

Des Plaines sued the association in 2021, alleging some structures violated building codes and flood-control regulations. City officials sought the demolition of some buildings and financial penalties. Counterclaims filed by the Camp Ground Association were dismissed, city attorney Peter Friedman said before Monday’s vote.

Under the proposed settlement, Des Plaines will purchase 22 of the campground’s nearly 27 acres. The remaining five acres are not in the flood plain.

The city will move one historic tabernacle building to that five-acre portion. The association will be able to relocate other structures as well.

The city intends to demolish any structures remaining on its portion of the property after the sale closes. That’s scheduled for Oct. 31, Friedman said.

The resulting open space will serve as a connection between the Northwestern Woods and Camp Ground Road Woods forest preserves.

The council unanimously approved the settlement Monday night following comments from several audience members who opposed the destruction of the site, which was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2005. Some identified themselves as campground residents.

One audience member accused the city of trampling on “a sacred space.” Another cried as she talked about losing her home at the campground.

Des Plaines has spent more than $50 million through the years on stormwater relief projects. Officials intend to apply for state and federal grants to help cover the campground purchase and demolition costs.