[NLRS] Rover locations along Lake Michigan

[aduhawk at comcast.net]

There are three sites on landfills that are usable.  Two are in EN62, one is in EN51.  The DuPage County Park Distrcit owns another site in EN52 (Mallard Lake) but its not open yet.  I say "yet" knowing that they have been talking about opening it up for over ten years.

Our favorite one is Willow Hill Golf Course just across the street from what used to be the Glenview NAS.  Now there are a gazillion condos and a large shopping center. It's located on the north side of Willow Road, about 1/2 mile west of Route 43, known as Green Bay Road in those parts.  It is in EN62 and is the highest spot around. You get great views of the Chicago skyline and an unobstructed path all around. There is a large parking lot that is usually pretty open at its southern edge, which is fine.  There is a low wooden rail fence that we have lashed a mast to -- briefly.

At the southern edge of the parking lot it's a good distance to the pro shop -- maybe 250 feet or so.  We pull up there and sit on the edge of the hill out of everybody's way.  The course is like a "Scottish Turn" reminiscent of the links land near the sea.  We have been left alone up there except for one time that the course ranger drove up to us in his cart to say that they would be closing in an hour.  When they're closed, your're out of luck.  There is a gate that they put across the access road to the top, so you can only operate up there when the course is open.  Don't plan on anything for January up there, although we have been able to get up there for at least one Spring Sprint.

Further west in EN62 is Nicholl Knoll.  It's operated by the Arlington Heights Park District.  It is another 9 hole golf course atop a landfill, but it is also a park so you can get out and walk around.  At the summit, there's a bench that a mast could be lashed to.  If you have a portable power source and an easy to carry rig it makes a nice spot.  We have carried the FT690 and 290 up there and made some contacts.  There is no shelter.  There will be skate boarders and strollers.  The parking lot fovors the western half of the compass.  We have worked into the east from there, but we do much better form about 170 to 15 degrees.  You are likely to find some other rovers up there.  It is accessible 365 days per year.  It theoretically closes at maybe 10:00 PM, but we've never been chased off.  It is somewhat of a lover's lane after dark.

Nicholl Knoll is located just east of Route 53, about 1 mile south of Lake Cook Road.   To get there take Dundee Road (Route 68) about 1/4 mile east of Route 53.  Turn left at the stop light. It's at the end of the street.

In EN51 Greene Valley Landfill has the highest elevation of all.  It's about 960' ASL and it's completely in the clear.  It is only open weekends from I think May through October.  The hours are noon to 6:00 PM.  There have been a couple of methane fires -- those pampers decomposing under the hill -- so it was closed for a while and there's always a ranger on the scene.  It's a commanding site.  To get there take Route 53 north from Interstate 55.  Turn left on 75th Street.  Greene Valley is the first stop light west of Route 53.  Turn left again and head south.  You'll see the hill.

Let me know if you have any questions. 73, Tim K0PG/9





-------------- Original message -------------- 
From: W0ZQ at aol.com 

> 
> 
> 
> Hi Steve. I suspect that you are taking about Mt. Trashmore. Heard of 
> it, but never been there myself .... I think there are others on the reflector 
> that can help you out. 
> 
> 73 & Merry Christmas 
> Jon. 
> 
> 
> In a message dated 12/25/2006 7:56:37 A.M. Central Standard Time, 
> maillists at sawyers.org writes: 
> 
> I have heard about a landfill park in Chicago, but I can't seem to 
> locate it. Could some one give me an idea of name or address or lat-long? 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
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