Award-Winning Department

The Lake Forest Parks and Recreation Department achieved the highest honor when it was awarded the 2005 National Gold Medal Award. The American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration in partnership with the National Recreation and Park Association presented the award.

The department was honored as the best in the category of communities under 25,000 in population. The Gold Medal is recognized as the most important and celebrated park and recreation award in the country, and Lake Forest is proud to be considered among the best in management, staff and dedication in serving the park and recreation needs of its residents.

An organizational chart  (14k - 1 page) for the Parks and Recreation Department can be viewed or downloaded.

   Former Parks and Recreation Director  
   Fred Jackson and Assistant Director Wendy
   McKiernan accepting the prestigious National
   Gold Medal Award

For the past year, the community has been engaged in the development of a Conceptual Master Plan for Forest Park. Located above the beach at the eastern end of Deerpath Road, it is the oldest park in the City, having been donated to the City in 1857. It was a golf course for a short period of time in the 1890’s, then received the attention of O.C. Simonds who in 1901 completed a site plan to restore the landscape and its trees. In the mid 1980’s the beach level only of the lakefront was greatly enhanced to provide the outstanding facility that the community enjoys today. As photos and recorded property history indicate, Forest Park has morphed over time to best serve the changing recreation, environmental and societal needs of the community.

Forest Park, however, lacks a comprehensive site management plan and is beginning to face infrastructure and landscape challenges. Since 1999, two areas of the bluffs in the park have failed, drainage and roadways are deteriorating and we have numerous trees and vegetation areas that need attention. It is the mission of your Parks, Forestry and Recreation Department and Parks and Recreation Board to be stewards of these public spaces on behalf of the community. A Master Plan will address existing concerns and will provide a pro-active planning blueprint for the future to help restore, preserve and enhance this property for future generations to enjoy. The plan is predicated upon a successful fund-raising campaign and would be implemented only as funds become available.

In May 2009, the Lake Forest Garden Club offered to collaborate on the project and to fund the Conceptual Master Plan as a gift to the City…no tax money was used to pay for this conceptual plan. The Lake Forest Garden Club contracted with Stephen Stimson Associates, a landscape architecture firm to create the Conceptual Master Plan. To clarify, a conceptual master plan is a guiding document. It is not intended to provide specific details or rigid requirements, but instead, sets forth a framework upon which future decisions about the site or facility are further developed and evaluated. There has been extensive community participation over the past year to help craft the Conceptual Master Plan and there is no question that there has been feedback both positive and negative about the concepts under consideration. To review the most accurate and up - to date information I encourage you to go to the City’s website, www.cityoflakeforest.com click on What’s New then go to the icon for Forest Park Master Plan, and read the background information on this project, including details on the key plan elements, vista and landscape enhancements and funding.

On May 17, 2010 City Council accepted the gift of a Conceptual Master Plan and directed the project to move into the next phase of planning called the Design Development phase. It is during this phase that all concepts are vetted, altered or eliminated and specificity is put to the plans. The following information will help outline the next steps of the park planning process:

What Happens Next—Design Development Phase:

Four key aspects of the project are pursued during this phase and include:

1. Creation of a 501c3 Project Board

2. Design refinement, validation and additional technical studies (including the ring road, handicap accessibility, and parking needs);

3. Fund-raising for the park improvements and a future maintenance endowment fund

4. Review and Approval Process through the Historic Preservation Commission, Park Board and City Council
   

Forest Park Project Board

To tackle this next phase of the project, an independent, 501c3 Forest Park Project Board (not a City Board) will be created. The Project Board will possibly consist of an Executive Committee and six Focus Committees consisting of knowledgeable professionals and residents to help refine all of the aspects of the park design and to begin the fund-raising. Complete details on the Project Board and the key elements for each of the focus committees is also available on the City’s website. This project board will meet on a regular basis and will exist throughout the duration of the project. It is anticipated that the Design Development Phase of the project could take 6-9 months.

This is an important park project for the benefit of the entire community. We welcome you to help support the opportunities to preserve, enhance and rehabilitate this wonderful community asset. I encourage you to learn about this project and to share your thoughts with the Project Board as they work diligently on finalizing a blueprint plan that will result in a park that the community can enjoy for many generations to come.

Best regards,
Mary Van Arsdale
Director of Parks, Forestry and Recreation