Security Concerns Prompt HP to Close Boat Access South of Water Treatment Plant

The following is from the City of Highland Park:

As part of the ongoing Water Treatment Plant Upgrade project, City staff undertook a review of all aspects of water production. One area identified for additional improvement was to plant security. After conversations with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the Park District, and review by our public safety officers, all parties agreed to the DHS recommendation to prohibit unrestricted public access to the Water Treatment Plant and the Park District agreed it made sense to relocate boating operations and recreational use to Park District property north of the water plant.

On Thursday, September 11, the Park District of Highland Park notified all boat patrons of its decision to terminate boat access south of the Plant as of May 31, 2015. While the City of Highland Park has no involvement with Park District operations, City staff offered the Park District continued access north of the Water Treatment Plant so that the Park District can continue to provide on-going boat operations and recreational use. No action has yet been taken by the Council.

“The North Shore Yacht Club is a great institution that can continue operations north of the Water Treatment Plant,” City Manager David Knapp stated, “but enhancing the security of our new facility outweighs the convenience of continued operations in the current location.”

For questions about the North Shore Yacht Club and Park Avenue Boating Facility, please contact the Park District at (847) 831-3810. For questions pertaining to the upgrade to the Water Treatment Plant, please contact the City Manager’s Office at (847) 926-1000.