Walk through the North Shore long enough and you’ll hear the name. The Highland Park Country Club has been a staple of the community for decades, but if you haven’t been there in the last few years, you might not recognize the place. It’s not just a spot for a quick nine holes anymore. In fact, it isn't really a "country club" in the way your grandfather probably remembers it.
The transition from a private playground for the wealthy to a public-facing community asset has been, honestly, a bit of a rollercoaster. It's a classic Illinois story of municipal management meeting local tradition.
The Big Shift at Highland Park Country Club
For the longest time, the Highland Park Country Club was exactly what you’d expect from a high-end suburban enclave. manicured greens. Exclusive memberships. A certain "keep out" vibe that defined the area's social hierarchy.
But things changed.
The City of Highland Park actually took over the property quite a while ago. It was a strategic move. They wanted to ensure that this massive swath of green space didn't just turn into another dense housing development. Because let’s be real, the last thing the North Shore needs is more crowded townhomes blocking the view.
Eventually, the golf course itself closed. That was a huge deal. People were shocked. You had golfers who had played those fairways for thirty years suddenly looking for a new home. But the city had a different vision—a vision rooted in conservation and broader public use. This led to the creation of the Park Avenue West corridor’s most interesting experiment: the transformation into the Highland Park Preserve.
It’s Nature Now, Not Just Birdies
If you head over there today, you aren't going to see many polo shirts or golf carts. You’re going to see native prairie restoration.
The site is basically being "re-wilded." The Park District of Highland Park has been working hard to turn those old fairways into a legitimate ecological sanctuary. We're talking about roughly 100 acres of land that is breathing again. It’s wild. They’ve planted thousands of native species. They’ve managed the water runoff—which is a massive issue in this part of Illinois—to make sure the Skokie River isn't getting hammered every time it rains.
Basically, they traded the putters for hiking boots.
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The Rec Center and the Social Hub
Even though the golf is gone, the "club" part of the name still lingers in the community's mind because of the buildings. The Highland Park Country Club building itself became a focal point for the city’s senior services and recreation department.
It’s where the Highland Park Senior Center eventually landed.
Think about that for a second. Instead of a ballroom reserved for wedding receptions and expensive galas, the space started hosting bridge clubs, fitness classes for retirees, and community lunches. It’s a way more democratic use of space. It’s kind of cool how a place that used to be about exclusion became one of the most inclusive buildings in town.
But it’s not just for seniors. The recreation center facilities nearby handle everything from youth sports to community meetings. It’s a bustling hub. If you go there on a Tuesday morning, it’s vibrant. It’s loud. It’s active.
Why the Location Matters
The Highland Park Country Club site sits right off Highway 41. It’s accessible. That’s probably why the city fought so hard to keep it. In a town where land is at a premium, having this much acreage right in the middle of everything is a goldmine.
You’ve got the Skokie River Preserve right there. You’ve got easy access to the rest of the Park District facilities. It creates this "green belt" that makes Highland Park feel less like a concrete suburb and more like a managed forest.
What Most People Get Wrong About the "Country Club"
People still call it "the country club." I hear it all the time. "Are you going to the event at the Highland Park Country Club?"
Technically, it’s the Highland Park Community Center or the Preserve, depending on which part you're talking about. The confusion stems from the fact that the signage and the local vernacular haven't caught up with the reality on the ground.
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One big misconception is that the city "ruined" a perfectly good golf course.
Honestly? Golf is a struggling industry. Across the country, clubs are folding because the younger generations aren't picking up the game at the same rate. Highland Park saw the writing on the wall. They realized that a park that serves 30,000 residents is a better investment than a golf course that serves a few hundred members. It was a business decision as much as an environmental one.
The Environmental Impact
Let’s talk about the birds.
Since they stopped mowing the grass every three days and dumping tons of fertilizer on the soil, the wildlife has exploded. Birdwatchers are flocking there now. You’ll see Great Blue Herons, various hawk species, and migratory birds that hadn't been seen in that density for years.
The "Preserve" aspect of the Highland Park Country Club site is a case study in how to fix suburbs. By letting the land return to a more natural state, they’ve improved local drainage and reduced the "urban heat island" effect. It’s literally cooler to walk through the preserve than it is to walk down a paved street in July.
Navigating the Property Today
If you’re planning to visit, don't bring your clubs.
Instead, bring a decent pair of walking shoes. The trails are great for a morning jog or a slow sunset stroll. It’s one of the few places in the area where you can actually get a sense of what Illinois looked like before the plows and the asphalt took over.
- Park at the main lot off Park Avenue West.
- Check the community calendar if you're looking for the Senior Center—they have amazing programs that are often overlooked.
- Explore the trails that head west toward the river. That’s where the best views are.
- Bring binoculars. Even if you aren't a "bird person," you'll probably see something cool.
The Future of the Site
The City and the Park District aren't done.
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There are always discussions about expanding the trail systems and adding more educational signage. They want this to be an "outdoor classroom." Imagine local kids coming out here to learn about biology and ecology in their own backyard instead of just reading about it in a textbook. That’s the goal.
There’s also the ongoing maintenance of the buildings. These are older structures, and keeping them up to code while making them accessible for all ages is a constant project. It’s expensive, but the community seems to have bought into the idea that this is a "forever" asset.
Is it still a "Lifestyle" Destination?
Absolutely. It’s just a different lifestyle.
It shifted from "country club living" to "active community living." It’s less about who you know and more about what you do. Whether you’re attending a wellness seminar in the old clubhouse or spotting a deer near the Skokie River, the Highland Park Country Club land is still one of the most valuable parts of the North Shore experience.
It's a reminder that places can evolve. They don't have to stay frozen in the 1960s to be relevant. Highland Park took a risk by changing the identity of its most famous property, and for the most part, it’s paid off.
Actionable Next Steps
If you want to make the most of what the Highland Park Country Club area offers today, here is how to engage with it:
- Visit the Park District of Highland Park website to view the current trail maps for the Highland Park Preserve. The paths have changed as restoration progresses.
- Register for a program at the Senior Center or the Recreation Center. Many events are open to non-residents for a slightly higher fee, and they are excellent for meeting locals.
- Volunteer for a "Work Day." The Park District often hosts volunteer events where you can help plant native species or clear invasive brush. It's the best way to actually learn about the land.
- Check the flood maps. If you live nearby, pay attention to the Skokie River restoration updates. The work being done at the old country club site actually helps protect local basements by managing regional stormwater more effectively.
- Walk the perimeter. For a solid 3-mile loop, combine the preserve trails with the adjacent neighborhood sidewalks to get a full sense of the North Shore's topography.
The Highland Park Country Club isn't a ghost of the past; it's a very active, very green part of the present. Go see it for yourself.