In a previous Journey Along the Shores post, I shared our initial approach to managing the trees in our care. A recent event prompted me to circle back to the subject. We have been working on establishing tall grass buffer areas and walking paths with the intention of planting trees to create native savannah. OurContinue reading “Journey Along the Shores – Part 8 (More Tree Management)”
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Journey Along the Shores – Part 7 (Pilot Projects)
These are exciting times at Canal Shores. Momentum is building, as talented and committed people continue to lend their support. The beginnings of a new Master Plan for the facility are taking shape. It is still too early to share details here, but stay tuned. In the meantime, we have undertaken pilot projects in SectionContinue reading “Journey Along the Shores – Part 7 (Pilot Projects)”
Journey Along the Shores – Part 6 (4 Course Concept)
Cutting down trees, hacking out brush, and hauling debris for hours on end gives a man plenty of time to think. During one of these cleanup sessions recently, many of the thoughts that had been swirling around in my head crystalized into a new vision for what might be done with the golf portion ofContinue reading “Journey Along the Shores – Part 6 (4 Course Concept)”
Journey Along the Shores – Part 5 (Tree Management)
Our tree management program has begun in earnest at Canal Shores. Our strategy, which is built up on the Wide Open Spaces principle, is two-phased: 1. Remove overgrowth and invasive species. 2. Highlight remaining specimen trees while supplementing them modestly with conifer and deciduous species that we have selected for their beauty and native restorationContinue reading “Journey Along the Shores – Part 5 (Tree Management)”
Journey Along the Shores – Part 4 (First Steps)
The Canal Shores Grounds Committee spent the winter sharing ideas, from the blue sky big picture all the way down to the nitty gritty details. Spring has sprung, and it is time to get into action. While our long-term Master Plan is in the skunkworks stage, we decided that we still want to move forwardContinue reading “Journey Along the Shores – Part 4 (First Steps)”
Journey Along the Shores – Part 3 (Principles for Greatness)
The Community that surrounds and utilizes Canal Shores wants the property to remain multi-use. It would be unacceptable to the stakeholders if the Canal Shores property was used solely for golf. Even for a golf nut like me, reverting the property to a single-use golf facility would make it much less interesting and valuable thanContinue reading “Journey Along the Shores – Part 3 (Principles for Greatness)”
Journey Along the Shores – Part 2 (The Land)
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 ShoresContinue reading “Journey Along the Shores – Part 2 (The Land)”
Journey Along the Shores – Part 1
In my community, we have a very special spot. It is a piece of land that runs along the North Branch of the Chicago River from the Ladd Aboretum in NW Evanston to the south, up to the Baha’i House of Worship and Gilson Park in Wilmette to the north. Most of the land isContinue reading “Journey Along the Shores – Part 1”