The crumbling building was demolished in 2006. Over the decades, harsh conditions took their toll on the beach and beach house. In 1945, the Rosenwald children donated $25,000 for construction of a beach house. The Rosewood property was donated to the district in 1928 by Julius Rosenwald, chairman of Sears, Roebuck Co. The purpose of the Rosewood Beach renovation was to revitalize the community’s swimming beach and protect the delicate bluff, ravine, and beachfront that were in danger of being swept away forever. The project is a role model for ecological best practices and showcases how a collective vision can be transformed into a shared reality.Īs one of only 14 Illinois communities on Lake Michigan, preserving this dynamic and vulnerable open space has been a priority of the Park District of Highland Park for over 100 years. The “new” Rosewood Beach is a lasting legacy of Highland Park’s commitment to environmental stewardship, recreation and education. The bluff, ravine, and beach were also restored to improve the health of the unique ecosystem and a new permeable paver parking lot decreases runoff and naturally cleans storm water. The daylighted ravine stream provides rare nearshore fish habitat and allows cleaner water to flow into the lake. Interpretive panels along the outside deck detail Rosewood’s living classroom and the Lake Michigan coastal zone. The center is open to the public during busy beach days and serves as a shelter during inclement weather. Local school field trips and the district’s nature-based classes and camps utilize the Interpretive Center – part of the district’s initiative to build an informed, inspired, and engaged community that recognizes the need to protect the Lake Michigan coastal zone. The park district’s portion of the project included the construction of new environmentally friendly facilities including a one-of-a-kind beachfront Interpretive Center, concessions, restroom, and guard buildings - all connected by a 1,500 foot long boardwalk and nestled against the wooded bluffs. The USACE constructed breakwaters extending 200 feet into the lake forming three protected coves –nature, swimming and recreational.The beach was also expanded with 65,000 cubic yards of added sand. Future plans for the park include work on the Heth’s Run project, which includes creating a new trail, adding athletic fields, and connecting the park to the Allegheny River.The project was a collaborative effort between the park district and the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) as part of the Great Lakes Fishery and Ecosystem Restoration (GLFER) program. These pools provide a unique urban wetland habitat while dramatically reducing the impact of stormwater runoff. The Entry Garden was restored in 2005, and in 2006 the Parks Conservancy worked with the city of Pittsburgh to create a series of seasonal pools along Washington Boulevard. A water filtration plant cleans the water from the main reservoir, and waste water is naturally de-chlorinated in part by a brook which trickles into Lake Carnegie.īeginning with the creation of the Babbling Brook in 2003, the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy has completed several major park improvement projects in Highland Park. Highland Park also features a popular bike track, swimming pool, sand volleyball courts, and the Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium. The reservoir is accessed through the beautiful Entry Garden, a Victorian-style gathering place with gardens, a fountain and reflecting pool, and benches for relaxing. 1 remains an iconic feature of Highland Park, and the Reservoir Loop is a favorite trail for walkers and joggers. Twenty years later, the City made it official, establishing Highland Park by ordinance. The increasing popularity of the reservoir for picnics and passive recreation caught the attention of the Parks Commission.
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