Pavilion, disc golf course unveiled at Rolling Knolls Forest Preserve

Forest Preserves of Cook County Tuesday evening celebrated the completion of a pavilion and professional-level disc golf course in the Rolling Knolls Forest Preserve in Hanover Township near Elgin.

The event included a ribbon-cutting, a Films in the Forest screening of "The Incredibles," family-friendly activities based on the film and the opportunity to play disc golf.

The 55 acres that once made up the Rolling Knolls Golf Course was purchased by the forest preserve district in January 2010 for $5.75 million. The district held town hall meetings in 2011 to show residents potential development plans and get feedback.

The amenities unveiled Tuesday were among ones that seemed appropriate based on the nature of the land, community feedback and the district's mission, spokeswoman Lambrini Lukidis said Tuesday.

The Rolling Knolls farm was purchased in 1949 by the family of Cook County Commissioner Tim Schneider. The family converted it to a nine-hole golf course in 1962, and then to 18 holes in 1989. In December 2008, the Elgin City Council approved a housing development on part of the land, but shortly thereafter the county expressed its intention to purchase the property.

After the purchase, the district determined retaining a golf course would require a big capital investment that was not feasible given increasing competition in the market.