The Lake County Forest Preserves board of commissioners authorized staff to assess the potential relocation of its General Offices and the Dunn Museum to property at Brae Loch Golf Club in Grayslake.

Commissioners favor building a net-zero energy facility on Route 45, citing its prime location next to the College of Lake County (CLC). They believe the site would foster numerous collaborative opportunities with the school.

“We’ll take the next year to determine if relocation makes sense and to identify the appropriate building size,” said Executive Director Ty Kovach.

Several factors make the new location appealing to the Forest Preserves. It’s centrally located, sitting in the heart of the county. It serves as a key transportation hub, featuring a covered Pace bus stop and easy access to Route 45. The site could easily be linked to the Millennium Trail and presents opportunities for expanding trail connections.

If the plan moves forward, Brae Loch Golf Club would close, but the clubhouse would remain. In partnership with the Forest Preserves, CLC transformed the space into a cutting-edge learning facility. This collaboration resulted in Prairie Restaurant at Brae Loch, a student-run establishment where hospitality and culinary students gain real-world experience in both kitchen and dining operations.

About 80 Forest Preserves employees utilize half of its General Offices building at 1899 W. Winchester Road in Libertyville. The 120,000-square-foot building was purchased about 14 years ago to bring employees together who had previously been working in eight separate, outdated houses and buildings scattered across the county.

“Our current building has served us well, but our priorities have evolved,” Kovach said. “Our goal is to significantly reduce the square footage of our buildings across the county and construct purpose-built, net-zero energy buildings.”

Kovach envisions the new facility as more than just an office space—it should be a place that connects people to nature and enhances their experience with the preserves.

“The goal isn't merely to build a structure, but to develop a destination,” Kovach said. “This new space will better serve our staff and the public while reflecting our mission of conservation, education and outdoor recreation.”

Forest Preserves President Jessica Vealitzek emphasized the importance of design and atmosphere in the new office.

“When people visit a forest preserve’s headquarters, it should feel like an extension of the land itself,” Vealitzek said. “The aesthetics, the connection to nature, the trails and the surrounding resources all matter. This project is about building something that fits seamlessly into the landscape and enhances our ability to serve the community.”

The board allocated $75,000 from referendum funds to explore the concept and develop a relocation plan. Referendum dollars will not be used to construct the building.

Back