Lake Co. forest preserve gets feedback on Ft. Sheridan plans

If David Schabes was the one choosing what type of golf course should be built at the Fort Sheridan Forest Preserve near Highland Park, he'd go for a full-sized, 18-hole layout.

But Schabes, who lives in the neighboring Town of Fort Sheridan, knows the multimillion-dollar decision isn't up to him. It's up to the 23 commissioners of the Lake County Forest Preserve District, which owns the lakefront preserve and controls its destiny.

And with the economy in the doldrums and golf play on the decline nationwide, he also knows 18 holes are a pipe dream. As such, he's backing one of the three 9-hole proposals that were up for public review Thursday night at the Gorton Community Center in Lake Forest.

Specifically, he liked a plan that places tees, greens and hiking trails throughout the roughly 250-acre forest preserve, which overlooks Lake Michigan.

"I think it does the best job of combining the uses," Schabes said.

Several hundred people attended the open house. They examined color maps of the three proposals, took notes, snapped photographs and asked forest district board members and employees about the proposals.

Highland Park resident Jean Meier liked two plans that would put the trails and fairways near the lake. A third option would put the golf course to the west near Sheridan Road and leave the lakefront property for hikers, and that didn't appeal to her.

"The fact that there will be a beautiful lake view will increase the revenue possibilities," Meier said.

At least one person attending the open house favored a fourth option - no golf at all.

Golf courses are failing (and) this is a precious piece of property," Highland Park resident Donnie Dann said.

But not building a course would violate the deal that led to the forest district acquiring the site from the U.S. Army in the 1990s. An 18-hole course was part of the property then, and their agreement required a course to be maintained in perpetuity.

That golf course was torn up in 2003 in preparation for the construction of a new one in 2003, but commissioners scrapped their plans because of skyrocketing costs.

Ralph Pfaff, president of a Town of Fort Sheridan homeowners group, would rather have a 9-hole golf course than none at all.

He believes the district, which saw voters approve a $185 million loan in 2008 for land acquisition and development, can afford to build and operate such a course.

The money is there if the will is there to do it," Pfaff said.

Forest district officials have said that those funds wouldn't be used on golf, however.

An advisory group that's been debating the Fort Sheridan issue will next meet Sept. 15 and could make a recommendation at that session.

Forest district officials would like the board to vote on the matter by early next year.