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City and Park District Hold Joint Public Meeting

The Highland Park City Council hosted a joint public meeting with representatives from the Park District of Highland Park (Park District) on Monday, October 9 during the City’s regular Committee of the Whole meeting. The public agenda included a presentation of the Park District’s proposed plans for the Highland Park Country Club (HPCC) golf course, the City’s exploration of relocating the City’s Senior Services to the HPCC facility, and flood mitigation opportunities along the Skokie River watershed. The City requested the meeting in response to a formal request from the Park District to cease golf operations at the HPCC effective December 31, 2017 in order to repurpose the land for use as a passive recreation area with walking trails.

The Park District currently leases the property from the City in accordance with an Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA). The IGA sets forth a 99-year lease of the HPCC which began in 2014 and also gives the Park District the option to purchase the property from the City for fair market value. The 99-year lease requires that the Park District may not change use of the property without the City’s prior approval and the City may not unreasonably deny approval.

The Park District proposed that they would continue the lease if the City will grant the change of use of the golf course to a passive recreation area. At the meeting, the Park District presented a three-year plan to fully transition the golf course to passive natural open space.  The District described the proposed open space area as a “mosaic of habitat areas, trails and amenities”.

The City and Park District discussed the cost-benefit for keeping two public golf courses open indefinitely. If the HPCC golf course is required to remain open in 2018, the Park District’s desire is to only maintain the course through 2018 due to the re-opening of the District’s Sunset Valley Golf Club so long the anticipated losses are capped at an amount acceptable to the Park District.  Sunset Valley is currently under renovation and is expected to re-open in July 2018.  The City and Park District agreed to pursue options for the HPCC that would minimize the negative financial impact to both organizations. KemperSports currently has an agreement with the Park District to operate and maintain the Highland Park Country Club that includes golf and banquet services. The banquet room and conference rooms within the Country Club will remain open and are available to be booked for 2018.

In addition, the City and Park District agreed that the driving range and mini-golf along Rt. 41 would remain open to the public.  Those operations could continue to be managed by the Park District with revenue, after expenses, to be shared equally with the City.

Mayor Rotering reported that the City would pursue the possible relocation of Senior Services to the Highland Park Country Club facility.  The City has engaged Williams Architects to conduct a needs assessment and prepare concept plans; a report is anticipated by the end of November.  Williams Architects is also engaged by the City and Library to perform a needs assessment and prepare conceptual drawings for the possible expansion of the Highland Park Public Library that includes an expanded Youth Department and public parking.   

Additionally, following the July 11 storm, the City has been working with the Army Corps of Engineers and regional partners to explore options to mitigate future significant flooding in the community. The HPCC is located within a floodplain along the Skokie River. As part of a review of flood mitigation opportunities, the City has been exploring the possibility of creating additional stormwater detention basins on the golf course in order to provide relief during heavy rain events.

The City and Park District will post a question and answer document based on public feedback from the meeting on each respective website at www.cityhpil.com and www.pdhp.org.  Further information regarding these matters will be posted to the City and Park District website and an update provided via electronic newsletter by the end of November 2017.   For more information, please contact the City Manager’s Office at 847.926.1000.

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  1. Has the Park District explored a 9-hole golf course at the Highland Park Country Club? The Park District has discussed a nine-hole course at the HPCC.   However, no decision has been made regarding the long-term use of the entire facility.  The District’s preference would be to convert the land to natural open space that could be utilized by the entire community for passive recreation.
  2. What will happen to the golf holes adjacent to the Legacy Club if the golf course is closed? The City will follow-up with representatives of the Legacy Club to discuss the disposition of these properties. It is understood that residents desire green space that will be maintained and would not negatively impact the adjoining residents.
  3. What is the appraised value of the Highland Park Country Club? The City and Park District obtained appraisers who agreed upon the fair market value for the Highland Park Country Club located at 1201 Park Avenue West at an appraised value of $2.644M.  The golf course was appraised as open space at a value of $17,500/acre or $1.9M, and the land along Park Avenue and the Clubhouse were appraised for $726,000.  The appraisers were not in agreement on the fair market value for the land along Rt. 41 that currently includes the driving range, golf dome and mini-golf.
  4. Will banquets be honored for year 2018? Yes.  All banquets will be honored in year 2018.   In addition, the City is exploring a renovation of the banquet facility as part of the possible relocation of the City’s Senior Center to the Country Club property.