Crews are working to reopen the Openlands Lakeshore Preserve along Lake Michigan, and fears over old military explosives that forced its closure more than two years ago are no longer a threat.

Lake County Forest Preserves District officials are connecting the necessary loose ends to reopen the 77-acre preserve along Lake Michigan in Highland Park and Highwood for the Labor Day weekend.

Originally part of Fort Sheridan — the then-headquarters of United States 5th Army until the base was decommissioned in 1993 — the preserve was closed in April 2021 when three military explosive devices were found.

Ty Kovach, the forest preserves districts executive director, said after agreeing to take ownership of the preserve from Openlands in June, he hopes the remaining details are put in place to open the facility by Labor Day weekend. Explosives are no longer a worry.

“Those issues (of the explosives) have been worked through, and we are confident that we can operate the preserve safely,” Kovach said. “We have a few loose ends left to get to the closing. If we can, we will be open for Labor Day weekend.”

After the Lake County Forest Preserves District Board of Commissioners unanimously approved the acquisition in June, Kovach said thorough inspections and study were necessary. Though the land is a gift, the complexities of a real estate transaction exist.

While the forest preserves district dealt with the legal end of the transaction and preparing to take control, Kovach said Openlands completed the maintenance necessary to get the largely untreated land ready for visitors.

“The safety issues are now happening,” Kovach said. “Openlands is doing all the preparation work and mowing.”

Once the deal closes Kovach said he is anxious to cut away the barrier which has kept people out for over two years. Along with the barriers, the snow fences with the danger signs will be quickly removed. Existing trails will be open, and some signage will change.

Forest preserves district Board of Commissioners President Angelo Kyle, D-Waukegan, said he is happy the deal will soon close. The district and Openlands have worked together in the past on a shared mission of preserving natural habitat.

“We are elated the preserve is going to be open again,” Kyle said. “It will be a nice addition to what we already have there.”

He was referring to property north of the preserve, which will give the district more than 320 acres, including 2 miles of shoreline.

Kyle said though there is no cost for the land, which comes with approximately $1 million Openlands is transferring to the county’s charitable arm, the value of the property is incalculable.

“The environmental significance of this deal far outweighs any number you could put on the value of the land,” Kyle said.

Commissioner Paul Frank, D-Highland Park, is also thrilled the preserve will soon reopen. His district includes the area in Highland Park and Highwood, where it is located. People have waited for a long time to use it again, he said.

“The use of this preserve is important to the community, and now we can continue to improve access,” Frank said.

“It is a very exciting moment.”

Initially Kovach said, the district’s plan is to get the preserve open so people can use the existing trails. There is a paved path overlooking the lake on the southern and northern portion of the preserve. A dirt trail exists over part of the land in between.

Along with the trails above the lake, there is a road through a ravine on the northern end enabling people to walk through the ravine and onto the beach.