As a third-generation…

As a third-generation Winnetka cottager, I’ve spent most of my life enjoying the beauty of this community and the nature we’re lucky enough to share.
It is deeply disheartening to see an application like this, one that seems to disregard the impact it could have on our tight-knit community.

For as long as I can remember, Winnetka has been a place where we’ve spent countless hours exploring the trails. As kids, we would form large groups of 15 or more, playing capture the flag, hide and seek with headlamps, taking part in scavenger hunts, and picking blueberries with our grandmothers. As teenagers, the trails became a peaceful escape, a place to walk with friends or take a swim, where the quiet was only interrupted by the sound of nature. As adults, those trails have evolved into a beloved space for dog walks, long hikes, and simply enjoying the land we’ve known all our lives. A change in land ownership is very likely to change access to these trails. This is a risk I would not be willing to take as a cottager. This change in ownership would disrupt our 40+ years of land use patterns.

One of the key areas at risk from this proposal is “The Point,” the land that separates the two lakes. This spot has been a special part of the Winnetka community for decades. Since the 1970s, it has been the site of countless gatherings, bonfires, corn roasts, and simple get-togethers. For over 40 years, our community has shared this space, creating memories that are near and dear to all of us. It would be incredibly disappointing to see the generational patterned use of this landmark be disrupted.

As someone who holds both Winnetka Lake and Engineer’s Lake close to my heart, I can’t fathom making a decision that could ruin traditions and daily experiences that so many of us hold dear.

I sincerely hope this proposal is reconsidered. Like many others, I’ve always hoped my children would have the same opportunity to experience the magic of this place, just as generations before us have.