Council signals support for Lake Cook Road multi‑use path while urging attention to lane‑narrowing and tree impacts
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Summary
Highland Park officials reviewed Lake County’s proposed Lake Cook Road north‑side multi‑use path and expressed general support while asking the county to reassess lane‑narrowing impacts, alternatives on the south side and tree preservation.
Lake County’s planned Lake Cook Road multi‑use path drew a generally favorable reception from the Highland Park City Council on Oct. 6, but council members asked the county to re‑examine options for siting and the traffic effects of narrowing lane widths.
Kita Newkirk, Highland Park city manager, introduced the county project during the meeting and summarized the county’s public outreach: an interactive map (560 responses), a survey (745 responses), a public meeting of 87 attendees and 46 written comments. Newkirk said Lake County proposed an approximately $10 million project to construct an eight‑foot shared path on the north side of Lake Cook Road between Turnbull Woods Court and Skokie Boulevard; Lake County would build it and the city would likely enter an intergovernmental agreement to maintain the completed path.
Council members and staff asked technical questions about lane widths and congestion near high‑traffic events for the Chicago Botanic Garden and Ravinia. The county’s conceptual design narrows vehicular lanes to a minimum of 11 feet in places to accommodate the path. Newkirk said narrowing can have a traffic‑calming effect but acknowledged community concerns about backups and recommended signal improvements and further review.
Several council members asked whether the path could instead be routed on the south side of Lake Cook Road, where there are fewer residential driveways. Newkirk and staff reported that Lake County had evaluated multiple alternatives (north side, south side and several crossing locations) and favored the north side because of fewer environmental impacts, lower driveway conflict counts, wetlands and tree preservation concerns on the south side and other right‑of‑way constraints. Nonetheless, council members requested that the county further evaluate the south‑side option and consider crossings farther west to reduce driveway conflicts.
Transportation Advisory Group chair Elliot Rosson and other public speakers supported the north‑side option and noted the long‑standing connectivity gap between the Skokie Valley Bikeway and the Botanic Garden. Rosson told council that Lake County had already addressed many safety issues in its design and that TAG recommended the north route so the county could proceed to detailed design and public hearings.
Public commenters raised a mix of concerns: tree and wetland impacts near the Botanic Garden, heavy automobile volumes on Lake Cook Road (several speakers highlighted daily traffic counts), and worries that path installation would shift neighborhood complaints to Highland Park rather than the county. Speakers also underscored ADA accessibility improvements and a desire for signalized, protected crossings.
Council members expressed general support for the concept, asked staff to seek further study of the south‑side option and requested confirmation of funding sources; the city manager said Lake County currently proposes to fund the project and the city would only be responsible for maintenance if it accepts the path. No formal council vote was required or taken at the meeting; staff will convey council feedback to Lake County and return any intergovernmental agreement for council approval if construction proceeds.
Ending: The council’s input focused on tree and wetland preservation, lane‑narrowing impacts, driveway conflicts and signal timing; Lake County will proceed with refinement and public outreach before returning to the city with final plans and any maintenance agreement.
