Openlandscapes: Grand Opening of the Openlands Lakeshore Preserve on Sept. 10

Showcasing more than a mile of scenic Lake Michigan shoreline, meandering bluff-top trails, and site-specific art installations, the Openlands Lakeshore Preserve, located at Fort Sheridan, in Lake County, is a family-friendly destination for visitors of all ages. Help us celebrate the grand opening of this one-of-a-kind natural treasure with a day of fun, festivities, and refreshments on Saturday, September 10, from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM. This event is free and open to the public.

Who should go: Nature lovers of every age, art aficionados, birders (more than 100 species of migratory and nesting birds visit the Preserve throughout the year), beachcombers, botanists (today, more than 150 native plants can be found here, including six state-endangered or threatened species, such as Buffalo berry and Seaside spurge), kite flyers, and people enthusiastic about ecological restoration (restoration efforts at the Preserve represent the largest undertaking of their kind in the Midwest).

What you'll experience: 77 acres of varied terrain, including three lush ravines, towering bluffs (some rising 70 feet above the beach) with overlooks affording sweeping lake vistas, and an innovative interpretive plan that helps visitors understand and connect with this truly unique environment. Grand opening activities include:

• Children's art activities and scavenger hunt—11:00 AM–2:00 PM,
• Birds of prey demonstration (with intermittent breaks)—11:00 AM–2:00 PM,
• Stunt kite demonstration (with intermittent breaks, please bring your own kite(s) for flying)—11:00 AM–2:00 PM,
• Tour of Openlands Lakeshore Preserve (plants, art, and general)—departs 11:30 AM
• Tour of Openlands Lakeshore Preserve (in Spanish)—departs noon
• Tour of Openlands Lakeshore Preserve (plants, art, and general)—departs 1:00 PM
• Tour of Openlands Lakeshore Preserve (in Spanish)—departs 1:15 PM

All activities will take place on the uplands, just off Patten Road (see directions, below).

When to go: Saturday, September 10, from 11:00 AM–2:00 PM

How to get there: Located just 25 miles north of Chicago, the Openlands Lakeshore Preserve is only a short drive from the city and many surrounding suburbs.

Directions and parking, from the city and the south: Take the Edens Expressway until it turns into US 41. Continue north on US 41 to Old Elm Road (exits right) and proceed east. Enter the Town of Fort Sheridan through the main entrance, which is located at Old Elm Road and Sheridan Road. Old Elm Road becomes Simonds Way. Take Simonds Way to the stop sign and turn left on Leonard Woods. Follow Leonard Woods around the parade grounds and turn right on Patten Road. Follow Patten Road over the bridge, and the entrance to the Openlands Lakeshore Preserve is on your left. You can park along both sides of Patten Road during the grand opening celebration.

Directions and parking, from the western suburbs and the north: Take Interstate 294 and exit at the Lake Cook Road exit. Travel east on Lake Cook Road to US 41. Continue north on US 41. Please follow the directions above from US 41.

Arriving by public transportation: The Openlands Lakeshore Preserve is also accessible by Metra on the Union Pacific North Line. On September 10, a shuttle service will depart from the Fort Sheridan Metra Station every 15 minutes (between 11:00 AM and 2:00 PM) to the Openlands Lakeshore Preserve.

 

Click here to view directions from the Fort Sheridan Metra station in a larger Google map.

For more information, please contact Openlands Associate Director of Development Kaye Oberhausen via e-mail or by phone at 312-863-6263.

History: Built in 1888 by the U.S. Army, Fort Sheridan served as a mobilization, training, and administrative center through World War II. Later, it housed the Cold War base for servicing and supplying all NIKE anti-missile systems in the upper Midwest.

After Fort Sheridan was decommissioned in 1993, the northern part of the lakeshore and critical open spaces were transferred to the Lake County Forest Preserve District. In 2006 a federal conservation agreement transferred the southern part of the lakefront and the adjoining bluffs and ravines to Openlands for permanent protection.

In 2007 two major grants—$4 million from the Grand Victoria Foundation and $2 million from the Hamill Family Foundation— jump-started the first phase of site improvements at the Preserve, which focused on extensive ecosystem restoration efforts in Bartlett Ravine.

To date, Openlands has raised $10.3 million of the $12 million required to complete the project from corporations, foundations, and individuals.

If you would like to contribute to the Campaign for the Openlands Lakeshore Preserve, please contact Openlands Director of Development Jennifer Mullman via e-mail or by phone at 312-863-6261.