We kicked off the 2015 season with our first Greens Committee meeting this week. Improvement projects are beginning to line up and preparations are being planned. I’ll share the details of that progress once spring arrives and we get underway.
For now, let’s take a step back in perspective to examine what the Canal Shores property is, and conceptually, what it might become.
Canal Shores is not just a golf course. It is a 35 acre multi-use green space on the banks of the North Shore Channel of the Chicago River. It spans Wilmette and Evanston, and several streets cut across it. It is surrounded primarily by residential property, but it winds through the neighborhoods in a unique fashion. Canal Shores is much more an integrated part of its neighborhood than a typical golf course in a residential property.
Canal Shores was established in 1919, and although its boundaries have changed, it remains largely intact.
- Chicago Tribune article updating investment in the course.
- Chicago Tribune article announcing the opening of the course.
- Evanston Review article on the history of the course.
The land is mostly flat, with some subtle undulation. There are a variety of trees, both in age and species. The combination of wooded areas and the shape of the property make it feel generally narrow.
For purposes of closer examination, Canal Shores breaks down into the following sections, from north to south:
Section A – Sheridan to Linden – The north end of the course is bordered by Sheridan Road. Across the canal lies the Baha’i House of Worship, and across Sheridan Road is Wilmette’s Gilson Park. This section contains 2 golf holes.
Section B – Linden to Maple – This section is bordered by residential area, and contains 2 golf holes.
Section C – Maple to Isabella – This is the southern-most section of the Wilmette portion of the property. It is bordered by a residential area and contains 3 golf holes.
Section D – Isabella to Central – This is northern-most section of the Evanston portion of the property. It is bordered to the east by Evanston Hospital. The Purple Line “El” tracks cut through it. There are 3 golf holes in this section.
Section E – Central to Lincoln – This section contains the clubhouse, parking lot and maintenance shed. It is bordered to the east by the Central Street “El” station and tracks, and it contains 3 golf holes.
Section F – Lincoln to Noyes – This southern section is the largest. It is bordered to the east by residential area and Leahy Park. It is bordered on the southwest by the Metra North Line tracks. Across Green Bay Road from the train tracks is the Ladd Arboretum. It contains 5 golf holes.
In coming posts, we’ll dive into each of these sections more deeply, exploring unique features.
More to come…
More Journey Along the Shores posts:
- Pt.1 – Introduction
- Pt.3 – Principles for Greatness
- Pt.4 – First Steps
- Pt.5 – Tree Management
- Pt.6 – 4 Course Concept
- Pt.7 – Pilot Projects
- Pt.8 – More Tree Management
- Pt.9 – Inspiration for the New Canal Shores
- Pt.10 – Off-Season Projects
- Pt.11 – Blue Sky Findings
- Pt.12 – Good Geeky Fun
- Pt.13 – 4 Course Concept Revisited
- Pt.14a – The Power of Volunteers
- Pt.14b – More Volunteer Power
- Pt.15 – Metra Corner Makeover
- Pt.15b – Metra Corner Update
- Pt.16 – Super Changes
- Pt.17 – 14th Hole Bunker Rebuild
- Pt.18 – Annual Volunteer Recap
Copyright 2015 – Jason Way, GeekedOnGolf
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