HIGHLAND PARK, IL — Eighteen months after the discovery unexploded ordnance at the Openlands Lakeshore Preserve, the Chicago-based nonprofit that manages the former military base is creating a site reopening plan, Openlands representatives announced.
This summer, the U.S. Navy provided valuable information about the preserve, which is currently under review. During the process, Navy officials are responding in a timely and collaborative way with representatives of the nonprofit, according to the announcement.
"Recommendations include signage and public awareness training," it said.
The site has remained closed to the public since the April 2021 discovery of a grenade and two flares, which were disposed of by the Waukegan police bomb squad.
The entire property was investigated, with metal detectors used to find partially hidden items.
In August 2021, Navy experts visited the site, and the following month, the Navy awarded a contract to the firm Tetra Tech to study the site. The Pasadena, California-based consulting and engineering firm was due to complete its study this summer.
Once the Navy-financed investigation is complete, Openlands representatives pledged related documents will be released to the public.
"Openlands and the Navy both desire to implement a timely and safe reopening of the Preserve," representatives of the nonprofit said in an update Friday. "With steep bluffs and ravines, the site has been complicated to investigate and has a long history of various military training uses."
Friday's announcement came nearly two months after Highland Park Patch's request for updates on the status of the investigation went unanswered by Openlands representatives.
Following the announcement, Patch requested any timeline for the completion of the site reopening plan. Any further information received will be added here.
The preserve is part of the former Fort Sheridan Army base, which was transferred to Openlands and opened to the public in 2011.
Originally known as Camp Highwood, Fort Sheridan was established in 1887 by wealthy Chicago businessmen — many of whom had nearby summer homes.
They purchased the land through the Commercial Club of Chicago before giving it to the federal government in an effort to permit soldiers to more easily be deployed against their workers in case of industrial action.
Fort Sheridan later served as a major training and administrative post during World War II and was the headquarters of the Nike missile system during the Cold War.
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