Click the image to view the proposed Forest Park Master Plan
Arthur H. Miller: “Thus, the plan meets very well the criteria of the 1970s Dept. of Interior standards, the newer Cultural Landscape standards of the same body, and through them the “old way of seeing,” the classic rules of architecture handed down from the Ancients and the Renaissance.” To view Arthur’s entire letter, click here.Prue Beidler: “It is now time to move forward. The work has honored the visions and plans of those associated with Forest Park in earlier times as well as the current needs of the community and likely needs of our residents in the future.” To view Prue’s entire letter, click here.Peter B. Cherry: “The Master Plan reflects our community’s diverse opinions, and it establishes a framework to rehabilitate Forest Park and revitalize it with improved vistas and appropriate plantings, safe, improved and added access for pedestrians and autos, and an improved infrastructure, all while being mindful of the preservation and enhancement of the elements of the Park’s original design. To view Peter’s entire letter, click here.
Parks & Recreation Board Unanimously Approves Forest Park Master Plan On Tuesday, May 8, the Lake Forest Parks and Recreation Board (“PRB”) voted unanimously in favor of the Forest Park Master Plan and to recommend that the City Council also approve the plan. Following is a letter that the Forest Park Project Board shared with the PRB prior to the vote: Dear Members of the Parks and Recreation Board:Tonight after much hard work and diligence by a committed group of residents, the Forest Park Project Board is seeking your approval of the Forest Park Master Plan. The plan, which has been reviewed and discussed at public meetings over the past four years and, most recently, in public meetings during March and May 2012, reflects the feedback and considerations suggested by the public, city leaders and our Board members. We began our efforts by request of City Council in May 2010 using the framework identified within the accepted Conceptual Master Plan as gifted by the Lake Forest Garden Club. We have spent the past two years refining the many elements of the conceptual plan to arrive at the final Master Plan document shared on May 3, 2012. Forest Park is a special place that the Lake Forest community feels is very much a part of our tradition and heritage. We knew that we needed to create a comprehensive rehabilitation strategy that provides the necessary stewardship for the future. We are confident that our proposed Master Plan respects O.C. Simonds as well as Almerin Hotchkiss. We feel the plan will allow residents to continue to enjoy the park’s scenic vistas, quiet pathways, and open spaces in a safe, passive park environment that meets the needs of today’s families and future generations.We have not arrived at these recommendations casually. Our board has worked diligently to research the history of Forest Park and explore ways to protect and strengthen this unique and significant landscape. Our committees spent countless hours investigating key concerns and preparing detailed interim reports to help guide our process. In doing so, the Board remained committed to following established standards of excellence in the areas of conservation, horticulture design, engineering, historic preservation, and cultural legacy. In addition, we solicited extensive input from local residents, city officials and subject-matter experts. Taken together, this collective research and public feedback helped determine the specific directions we gave our landscape architect, Stephen Stimson, for the design and drawing of this master plan for Forest Park. Throughout this process we have listened and pursued alternatives to reach the Master Plan document for which we are seeking your approval tonight. We recognize that we received additional feedback at the joint meeting of the Parks and Recreation Board and Historic Preservation Commission on May 3, 2012. As a result, we will continue our process of evaluating this feedback and will determine our course of action before the Historic Preservation Commission meeting and/or City Council meetings, which are scheduled to occur soon. The Forest Park Project Board is considering making some minor revisions to the plan that may, or may not, include such items as removing the bollard light at the intersection of Deerpath and Lake Road, showing a location on the plan where 2-4 west facing parking spots could be added should it be deemed necessary in the future, showing the path to the north point as a future option for consideration, and phasing in the proposed number of picnic tables and benches, starting with a similar quantity to that is currently found at the park. This reflects our process that we have used to date by ensuring that we consider all feedback in a timely fashion and move forward cautiously and conservatively. We do not feel these changes or others, if any, will be significant, substantive changes to the plan that we are asking you to approve tonight. We are proud of this plan and of the many committed volunteers who have dedicated so much of their time and energy to this effort. The rehabilitation of Forest Park is truly a public-private partnership that represents the interests of the residents and civic leaders alike, because together we all share a passion for ensuring that this special park survives for the next one hundred years and beyond.On behalf of the Forest Park Project Board, we request the Parks and Recreation Board approval of the Forest Park Master Plan and its supporting documentation.Sincerely,Forest Park Project Board
The Forest Park Project Board will present its Master Plan at the following meetings: Historic Preservation Commission May 16, 6:30 pm Lake Forest City Hall Lake Forest City Council May 21, 7:30 pm Lake Forest City Hall
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Poor drainage and groundwater flow from the tableland pose risks to the local environment.
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Forest Park is the only developed public park in Lake Forest that provides views and recreational access to Lake Michigan.
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Invasive species have compromised the landscape.
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Forest Park is one of the last green spaces along Lake Michigan.
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Enter your name and email address to learn more about our efforts to Rehabilitate, Enhance and Preserve Forest Park.
May 10 2012
A Lake Forest resident comments on the Forest Park Plan to renovate and revitalize Forest Park.
May 10 2012
In response to a recent post in Gazebo News, a resident writes in support of the Master Plan to revitalize Forest Park.
May 10 2012
A letter published in the Lake Forester by a local resident supports the proposed plan to rehabilitate Forest Park.
May 02 2012
The Forest Park Project Board will present its updated Master Plan to the City of Lake Forest’s Historical Preservation Commission and Parks & Rec Board at a special joint meeting planned for 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 3 at Gorton Community Center.
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