Fact vs. Fiction Regarding Our Beaches

Our Town Winnetka was founded with a simple thesis: Improve Winnetka through better governance, transparency, and participation. And through this platform -- a simple email list -- we seek to educate and provide context for the greater Winnetka community so each resident could make up their own mind on the key issues facing our village.

Given the importance of the future of our beaches and protecting our shoreline, Our Town Winnetka views it our civic duty to present a straightforward -- and non-fiction -- accounting of the facts. It is our goal, and our privilege, to be a source of truth regarding this important matter for our community -- especially as there is much misinformation and public discourse.

Let's dig into the facts, shall we, in a comprehensive fact check.

Claim #1: A "Crucial Change" Was Made to the Land Exchange Agreement with the Private Resident

Fact Check: No such crucial change was made. All negotiations with the private resident were conducted with legal counsel, staff, and WPD commissioners present. Real estate negotiations and litigation matters are appropriately conducted in closed sessions as permitted by Illinois law, and all final decisions were made by board vote. There were no secret dealings.

Claim #2: WPD Staff Worked in "Secret" for Two Years

Fact Check: ALL seven WPD commissioners were fully informed, and all decisions were made through official board votes. The claim of secrecy misrepresents standard procedures for real estate negotiations and contractual discussions, which are legally conducted in closed sessions.

Claim #3: $2.2 Million Was Spent to Accommodate a Private Party's Preferences

Fact Check: The funds spent since June 9, 2022 directly resulted from Commissioner Root advancing a motion to withdraw the permit applications to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) and Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE), without full board attendance. The subsequent expenditures were necessary to revise and resubmit applications. The design process was led by public input and guided by six separate board motions, with no direct influence from the private resident.

Claim #4: The Current Beach Plans Lack Proper Review and Oversight

Fact Check: Multiple professional engineers and subject matter experts developed, reviewed, and approved plans for Elder and Centennial beaches before submitting permit applications. Independent reviews are being conducted by the permitting agencies. Assertions that the plan lacks validation are unfounded.

Claim #5: Parking and Restroom Facilities Are Inadequate

Fact Check: WPD's expert traffic consultant confirmed that parking is adequate, and there is no need for expanded parking. Additionally, bathroom facilities are available at Elder Lane Beach, with no compelling need for new facilities at Centennial until final unification plans are settled.

Claim #6: The Proposed Pier Design Poses Safety Hazards

Fact Check: Concerns about the pier's safety are speculative and lack professional validation. The design was reviewed and approved by multiple engineering professionals, ensuring it meets safety and environmental standards.

Footnote for Claims #4, #5, and #6 -- Elder-Centennial Experts Retained by WPD

The following consultants were retained by the WPD for design, engineering, safety, access, stormwater, municipal approval, and project management:

1. Lakota Group - planning and design firm specializing in landscape architecture, urban planning, historic preservation, and community engagement
2. Shabica & Associates - sustainable shoreline solutions and coastal engineering
3. Spaceco Inc - engineering, land surveying, and consulting serving the Midwest, specializing in sustainable engineering practices
4. Christopher B Burke Ltd - provides planning, design, and construction management services for municipal and private infrastructure projects (structural engineer, stormwater)
5. Red Barn Design & Engineering - civil engineering, construction management, and environmental permitting

Claim #7: WPD Rejected a $3 Million Donation Over Excessive Conditions

Fact Check: The donation agreement did not cede control over Centennial Park or Dog Beach to the private resident. Instead, it obligates WPD to maintain the improvements for 50 years, ensuring long-term public benefit. The claim that WPD would lose control is incorrect.

Claim #8: WPD Has Abandoned Plans to Unify the Beaches

Fact Check: The WPD Board has not abandoned plans to unify Elder and Centennial beaches. Of critical note: Recent delays are due to new regulatory requirements imposed by the Village of Winnetka, including six amendments to the Village Code and an extended review process. The WPD remains committed to the unification effort for Elder-Centennial.

Our Town Winnetka Conclusion

Open debate has always been a hallmark of the Winnetka Park District, and please explore this link if you wish to decide for yourself at the Park District Community Digital Portal. Closed meetings are limited by law. It's as simple as that; nothing is ever hidden. The Park District precedent is to follow the intent and the exact standard of all municipal, state, and federal approval processes.

Let's look at recent WPD accomplishments, for the betterment of our Winnetka community.

• It's how Skokie Playfield, completed in 2013, was updated with a stormwater conveyance system to help relieve water from west Winnetka after the 2008 "500-year storm."
• It's how dysfunctional, unplayable grass hard as concrete was converted to turf, expanding youth sports programs and generating revenue streams to fund asset maintenance (relieving taxpayer burden).
• It's how the Hubbard Woods business district was transformed with a renovation of the park and shelter becoming a gazebo with ADA access and functioning, clean bathrooms with a water spray park for tykes. Thinking "big" ... holding public hearings, master planning, and executing a design concept that also serves as an arts and music destination.
• It's how Lloyd Beach was transformed from a jetty of metal and concrete into Lake Michigan into a multi-purpose boating ramp WITH a sand beach, which is naturally replenished after much study and experience with Lake Michigan.

These are the reasons "WHY" -- with a CAPITAL W -- is so important to Our Town Winnetka this April 1st. It's 110% about supporting leaders with a vision, strategy, and stewardship of "big" Commissioner-level decisions, and articulating those objectives to Park District constituents, including taxpayers.

We are all about supporting Winnetka's finest talent to listen, study, deliberate, collaborate, and make a transparent decision. We want to support persuasive leaders on our Boards -- leaders that constructively work well. They won't always agree, but they know what a successful argument looks like with their colleagues and staff. And whether the final vote is 7-0 or 4-3, they will align and support the decision and move forward.

Our Town Winnetka supports Board governance, adhering to the Illinois Association of Park District Code of Conduct, which is an important standard of conduct in the boardroom and in liaising with other taxing agencies. A Commissioner is an elected, entrusted representative of the people, and it's about open conduct -- persuading their peers during deliberation and supporting final Board decisions.

In short, we want action. We want to get stuff done. We want a new Winnetka standard that is as much a jewel in our governing bodies as our lakefront and parks are to our community. Think big. Think about vibrant talent. Think about this generational moment. Then vote.

• Vote Early at Centennial
• Vote by Mail: Home Page - Mail Ballot Application
• Vote live (New Trier Township): Polling Places, Cook County Clerk

Our Town Winnetka was co-founded by Ian Larkin and Ed Harney, long-time residents and community leaders. (NOTE: Ian Larkin, in his new role as WCC Chair, has resigned from Our Town Winnetka.) We love our community and have seen our neighboring communities thrive and pass us by over the last several years. Our intent is to preserve and protect what makes Winnetka special and create the future together. We have organized with a simple principle: We need to be more inclusive and transparent in our Winnetka Caucus Process.