COS to Provide Input for Chicago Park District's Montrose Master Plan

First public meeting for CPD Montrose Master Plan:
Monday, February 3 from 6:30-8:30pm; Margate Park Field House – 4921 N. Marine Parkway Dr.

The Chicago Park District (CPD) is currently developing a Montrose Point Bird Sanctuary Master Plan. The CPD has engaged a landscape design firm to develop a restoration and management plan for the site.  The plan proposals include maintaining and increasing native habitat, adding accessible paths, viewing platforms, and benches, and reducing security issues.  Luis Munoz represents COS in a group of stakeholder environmental groups that have met twice to review the proposal. Two public meetings are scheduled.

The existing features of Montrose and two different concept plans are shown in the attachment.  The COS Board has some concerns about the plans; we encourage birders, photographers and others who know the Point well to review the plans and come to the meeting to offer input. It is important to know that these plans are in the first phases. Birders should know that NONE of these plans are final and that the Park District and the design firm are interested in learning more about how birders, other humans and birds use the point.  The CPD and design firm are open to suggestions to change or improve the concepts. We urge you to attend this meeting and provide thoughtful, polite comments about the use of Montrose Point by people and birds.  We will consider the impact on birds, birders and other users of:

--number and placement of benches and platforms

--habitat changes throughout the Point

--placement of accessible paths

--removal of shrubs and trees in areas around the perimeter of the Point, provide 'view sheds' and discourage cruisers.

Note, to review the plan please email chicagobirder@gmail.com or go to the Illinois Birder’s Forum at www.ilbirds.com under the Conservation category.  You may need to rotate the first four pages of the attachment on your computer to view them.  There is a COS group discussing this plan by email. Please let us know if you would like to join it by replying to this message or sending email to chicagobirder@gmail.com