Neighbor News
Canal Shores Golf Course Board Adamantly Opposes Proposed Roadway
100-year-old public golf course in Evanston and Wilmette seeks community support to oppose easement that would pave over hole #10
A significant portion of Canal Shores Golf Course’s 10th hole is in danger of being paved over for the benefit of the Keefe Family Trust, associated with real estate developer Dick Keefe Development Corporation. Canal Shores is seeking the immediate support of neighbors, golfers, nature lovers and others to help defeat an easement request for a road across the 10th hole.
The Keefe Family Trust is being assisted by Springfield politician and attorney John Cullerton, who is president of the Illinois Senate and who lists an ownership interest in Dick Keefe Development Corporation on his 2018 “Statement Of Economic Interests” filed with the Secretary of State.
The easement request involves the use of public land for the benefit of a private landowner.
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In addition to destroying the 10th hole tee area and much of the fairway, the easement would permanently harm Canal Shores’ most ecologically sensitive area, which includes multiple century-old oak trees and three wetlands. One of the wetlands would be paved over. The other two wetlands would be negatively affected. This easement would also greatly harm one of the most aesthetic holes at Canal Shores and reduce valuable green space.
On behalf of the Trust, the Cook County Department of Transportation and Highways is requesting the easement from the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD). The requested easement would be approximately 60’ wide x 300’ long and used to access a parcel owned by the Keefe Family Trust. The parcel lies north of Isabella in Evanston and south of Maple Ave. in Wilmette just on the east side of the CTA tracks. The easement containing the roadway would run south from Maple Ave.
Find out what's happening in Evanstonfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
The Wilmette Park District is meeting October 10 in public session to address this request. The MWRD Board of Commissioners is expected to consider the request at its October 18 meeting.
Canal Shores is reaching out into the community to build support for preservation of the course.
Visit the Canal Shores website at www.canalshores.org/dontpave10 to learn more about this proposed roadway on public land, along with dates and meetings and information on how to reach elected officials to voice your opinion.
