Navy Starts Explosives Assessment Of Openlands Lakeshore Preserve

HIGHLAND PARK, IL — Nearly five months after the discovery of suspected unexploded ordnance at the Openlands Lakeshore Preserve in Highland Park led to its closure to the public, U.S. Navy representatives last week launched an assessment effort at the former military base.

Environmental experts from the Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command, or NAVFAC, visited the site during meetings Aug. 25 and Aug. 26 to discuss efforts to allow the public to return to portions of the Fort Sheridan site, according to a statement from Openlands.

Representatives of Openlands, the Chicago-based nonprofit that has owned the 77-acre property since 1993, said that the meetings included a "synchronization update on resources and capabilities now available to assist the Navy with the site’s assessment."

Patch requested information about the nature of those available "resources and capabilities" from a spokesperson for the nonprofit, who referred questions to a Navy spokesperson.

It could not be determined what efforts have so far been undertaken since Openlands closed the site to the public in response to the discovery of a suspected grenade and aircraft flares on the lakefront and bluffs during the first week of April.

The possibly explosive items were detonated by the Waukegan police bomb squad, but it was unknown whether they were "live," police told Patch at the time.

According to the initial conclusion from the Navy and the Army's base closure office, the discoveries "were anomalies and do not require further investigation by either department at this time." But Openlands representatives said the military's investigation was insufficient to allow it to reopen to the public.

In May, bomb-sniffing dogs hired by Openlands identified a "new area of concern" but were unable to pinpoint its exact location, an Openlands vice president told city and military officials. Later that month, Highland Park's mayor and city manager both urged the military to conduct an on-site investigation.

In July, the nonprofit announced that military-owned dogs trained to sniff out explosives were going to visit the site to assist with the investigation. It was not clear if or when that visit took place and what, if anything, resulted from it.

Earlier:
Suspected Grenade Found, Detonated At Highland Park Lakefront
City Urges Army To Find, Remove Explosives At Lakeshore Preserve
Bomb-Sniffing Dogs Headed To Openlands Lakeshore Preserve

While the latest Openlands announcement contained few details, it was well-stocked with effusive praise from elected officials, including statements from both of the state's U.S. senators and the city's mayor.

According to the nonprofit, the Navy began working on the assessment with city and county at the request of the two senators as well as U.S. Rep. Brad Schneider (D-Deerfield.)

“The Openlands Lakeshore Preserve is a natural treasure along our lakefront,” Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) was quoted as saying. “That’s why I’ve worked alongside my colleagues Senator Duckworth and Congressman Schneider to ensure that the Navy is doing everything it can to help Openlands safely reopen as soon as possible. I thank Naval Station Great Lakes for their hard work and expertise and Openlands for their continued commitment to preserving and restoring our open spaces.”

No details were immediately available from a Navy spokesperson regarding the nature of the on-site assessment work that has already been completed, what is planned for the future, or a timeline for completion of the assessment. Any information received will be added here.

According to Openlands, reopening plans will not be available until the assessment is completed, "at the earliest."

Jerry Adelmann, president and CEO of Openlands, said his organization's top priority is the safety of people who visit the preserve.

“We want everyone to be able to fully enjoy the beauty and natural setting of the Preserve’s bluffs, prairie, and lakefront,” Adelmann said. “The expertise the Navy provides is essential and we thank them for their co-operation and guidance. In addition, we are grateful for the leadership and coordination of Representative Schneider, Senators Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth, and the ongoing support of Mayor Nancy Rotering and the City of Highland Park to assist in securing this assessment and possible remediation.”