Intergovernmental Cooperation
Lake County Forest Preserve District Opens
Fort Sheridan Golf Course to the Public

Unique lease agreement signed between
Forest Preserve District and Department of the Army

The Lake County Forest Preserve District recently signed an interim lease agreement with the Department of the Army for operation and management of the Fort Sheridan Golf Course.

The lease agreement became effective on May 2, and the 18-hole course opened for public use on May 26 with grand opening ceremonies held June 1. The course, which winds among historic buildings and over wooded ravines along the Lake Michigan shoreline, hosted 5,000 rounds of play in its first month of operation.

"We were successful in securing a one-year lease, which can be renewed annually for up to three years for a fee of $1 per year. The outstanding cooperation between the Department of the Army and the Forest Preserve District was key to achieving this lease agreement," stated Colin L. McRae, Lake County Forest Preserve President.

According to Steven Messerli, Forest Preserve Executive Director, the course had been closed since 1993. Formerly, Fort Sheridan's golf course was open only to military personnel and their guests. Through the Forest Preserves' interim lease agreement, the course and clubhouse are accessible to the general public for the first time.

Since the Lake County Forest Preserve District approved a long-range concept plan for Fort Sheridan in Fall 1991, the District's most significant goals have been to restore and preserve the area's natural ravines, bluffs and lakeshore, and to provide recreational opportunities and public access to the northern end of the Fort.

The Forest Preserve Board of Commissioners designated the northern 290 acres of Fort Sheridan, including the golf course, for acquisition after the base was slated for closure in 1991, action that has since been supported by all surrounding municipalities and many other organizations.

The District is working with the Fort Sheridan Joint Planning Committee (comprised of elected officials from communities surrounding the Fort), the Department of the Army and the National Park Service to gain approval for transfer of the northern 290 acres through the federal Land-to-Parks Program at a 100 percent public benefit discount.

"We still hope to achieve that goal," said Messerli. "By signing the lease agreement and establishing a presence at the site, we feel the District's acquisition efforts will be received more favorably."

The Fort Sheridan Golf Course is one of three golf facilities operated by the Lake County Forest Preserves. Forest Preserve golf courses are operated, maintained and developed entirely through revenues enues generated by the courses; no tax dollars are used. Fort Sheridan, like other Forest Preserve courses, is managed for wildlife habitat and nature preservation, in addition to recreation. To that end, Forest Preserve golf courses are being certified through a special program with the New York Audubon Society. Golfers are asked to respect these natural resources.

This article was submitted by the Lake County Forest Preserve District's Public Information Office.

8 • Illinois Parks & Recreation* September/October 1994