Politics & Government

Park District Wants More Rosewood Feedback

The Rosewood Beach task force wants to hear from more residents about how to renovate Highland Park's only swimming beach.

The below letter comes from the Park District of Highland Park.

Effective communication begins with listening, and the Rosewood Beach Task Force and the Park District of Highland Park have been doing just that. The Task Force to listen to residents speak about the Task Force's proposed improvement plan for Rosewood Beach. Over 180 people attended the community meetings and 51 residents shared public comment. The volunteer Task Force listened.

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Overall, there appeared to be a consensus that the Rosewood beach improvements are needed, and that the minimalistic and naturalistic building design by David Woodhouse architects is in keeping with what the community wants on their beach. The boardwalk connecting a lifeguard house, concession, and restrooms was met with mostly praise and enthusiasm. The US Army Corp of Engineer's plan to replace the steel groynes with naturalistic wave breaks, expand the beach, daylight the ravine streams, and restore native plantings was also well received, with a few citizens expressing concerns about the potential impact on littoral drift.

Most of the attention focused on the siting of the proposed beach house which would house Park District educational programming and be a gathering and departure point for school groups and camps. This shelter, with three glass walls of windows opening to the beach, would be available for community use and rentals, and be open to the public when not programmed. It would be used to educate actively through programming, and passively through interpretive panels displaying information on the fragile ravine system and ongoing restoration efforts.

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The Rosewood Beach Task Force and Park District are responsively listening to all comments submitted through the meetings, and otherwise. Questions asked will be answered on the Park District's website, and all feedback will be shared with the Rosewood Beach Task Force who hope to make a recommendation to the Park Board in June.

There is still time to share your thoughts!


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