The Glencoe Dunes Natural Area is a vital public ravine environment that has faced neglect, impacting accessibility and ecological health. The document urges the community to advocate for maintenance and restoration efforts, emphasizing the importance of preserving this unique landscape for recreation, teaching, and conservation. A village board meeting is scheduled for September 15, 2011, where residents are encouraged to support safe access and partnerships for the area's preservation.

2. Welcome to
Glencoe Dunes
Natural Area
A Treasure in Our Community

4. This is the only publicly-
owned ravine
environment in our

5. This is the only publicly-
owned ravine
environment in our
The ravine terminates at
the lakefront, where it
transitions to a classic
dune landscape.
This landscape includes
sea grass, shifting dunes
and a natural storm
water seep or swale.

6. This has been public
land since the early

7. This has been public
land since the early
These road-end natural
areas have remained in
public hands for the use
and quiet enjoyment of
Glencoe residents.
Like all Village-owned
property, our taxes
support the
maintenance and
supervision of this land.

8. Spruce Street Access, Neighboring house, Spruce
Winnetka St. ROW, Winnetka.

9. Municipally-owned public access areas are not unique
to our community. They are common along the North
Shore.
In other villages some road-end parks and access are
maintained by village governments to the satisfaction of
immediate neighbors and open to all residents.
Spruce Street Access, Neighboring house, Spruce
Winnetka St. ROW, Winnetka.

10. Highland Park is completing an important ravine
and lake access restoration at Ravine Way this
year...

11. Highland Park sought natural partners to fund this
project, which restores a link between lake and
ravines, while maintaining public access.

12. For reasons that are not entirely clear, village
stewardship of our public access points has drifted
toward neglect.
Text

14. Neighboring properties treat the public land like a sewer.
Invasive species limit sunlight and also contribute to erosion.
This public land and all the private ravines on our lakefront drain
into our drinking water source.
Private home rigs drains across public
property (left).
Storm sewer incapacitated by erosion (above)

16. The neglected appearance
and shrubbery
surrounding the top of the
ravine sends a message
that this is an isolated area
where lawlessness is
tolerated.
Signage and posted rules
have been lacking, as has
village enforcement.
Erosion and rubble at the
bottom of the ravine
discourages land access to
the dunes area, and limits
supervision by Public
Safety and other Village
employees.

17. Surrounding municipalities endorse the idea that safe
access
to these public lands is preferable to obstructed access.

18. “The teenagers will get through anything, even a fence.
It is better to have a safe situation that allows resident
and
police access. That is the best enforcement
situation,”said
a professional from a neighboring community.

19. Spruce Street access, Winnetka.
Flag pole denotes line between public access
and private lawn.

20. Winnetka partners with residents to maintain public
access, parking, and storm water improvements.
Spruce Street Spruce Street
access,Winnetka access,Winnetka

21. Even in our own
community we have
public stairs that
provide safe access
down the bluff.

22. Even in our own
community we have
public stairs that
provide safe access
down the bluff.
These stairs were
built at minimal
cost, and hide a new
storm water runoff
system underneath.

23. Glencoe is blessed with a unique landscape where ravine
streams flow across our Great Lakes shoreline.

24. Glencoe is blessed with a unique landscape where ravine
streams flow across our Great Lakes shoreline.
To be good stewards of this lakefront ecosystem we need to
understand how these ravine/lake relationships preserve the
quality of our water and the quality of our community.
Glencoe Dunes provides us with that natural outdoor
classroom.

25. Neighbors forget that this is a natural area, not a manicured park.
Debris washes up naturally on beaches and isn’t always the result
of visitors.
Glencoe Park District’s beautiful lakefront beach is raked by
machinery three mornings a week. It is a place for recreation,
rather than study.

26. Please a attend the September 15, 2011 Village
Board meeting and ask the Trustees to support safe
and open access to Dell Place ravine and dunes.
Urge the Board to partner with the special task
force we’re creating to study preservation and
restoration of this property, including private
partnerships and funding.

27. If the vote were today, the majority of Board Members
would choose to close this access.
Please come to the September 15th meeting and
support safe and open access to the Dell Place
ravine and dunes.

28. Do we really want to see this repeated on September
15th?
Public access closed, Harbor Street,
Glencoe

29. Or this?

30. Or This…
Public park, view and bluff fenced in by private
homeowner with the consent of the village administration.
South Avenue, Glencoe.

31. The blue lines show the 130 feet of public tableland fenced as side yard for
the home at 381 Lakeside Terrace, with Village permission, and without rent
payment.

32. The blue lines show the 130 feet of public tableland fenced as side yard for
the home at 381 Lakeside Terrace, with Village permission, and without rent
payment.

33. We have too many fences!
Let’s restore this natural area and make it a
jewel in our vi!age.

35. This is a project that needs careful attention and partnerships
between governing bodies and private organizations.
Required storm water management upgrades, grants from
Lake Michigan interests, conservation easements, and an
active volunteer corps would make this property unique on the
North Shore.

37. Glencoe Dunes Natural Area is a unique
resource for Glencoe.
Let’s maintain it for teaching, research, and
quiet enjoyment.

38. Thank you.