There are many new offerings at Lake Forest’s Elawa Farms as the city has received an award for its partnership with the Foundation that runs the popular destination.
Recently, the International City/County Management Association (ICMA) bestowed their Local Government Excellence Award to the City of Lake Forest for a public-private partnership with the Elawa Farm Foundation.
While the city presides over the maintenance of the buildings, the Foundation offers educational opportunities and programming in addition to overseeing the organic gardens.
“I think the fact that we were able to win the award speaks to the partnership that has been developed and cultivated over the years,” Lake Forest City Manager Jason Wicha said.
After a 1917 construction for the Armour family, the city acquired the 16-acre property in 1998 leading to the creation of the Foundation in 2002. The city budgets $90,000 annually for building maintenance with the Foundation paying nearly $7,500 monthly rent.
“It is a historically significant property within Lake Forest and ensuring its continued and future stewardship is critical for the city,” Wicha added. “Allowing for a unique community asset and amenity that really isn’t found elsewhere throughout the region is something that we are proud of.”
Foundation Executive Director Laura Calvert estimated there are approximately 25,000 annual visitors to the property located at 1401 Middlefork Drive.
The ICMA award comes at a time of expansion for the Foundation as a new café is set to open in early October accommodating 35 people inside and another 40 people outside, according to Calvert.
While the city closed its Wildlife Discovery Center located at Elawa in early 2023, there was disappointment about the lost opportunity to see animals. However, Calvert said the Foundation now has chickens, ducks and goats available for the public to observe on a daily basis.
Also, the Foundation’s Discovery Hive Garden opened earlier this year and is available for recreational activities and plans are in place for the debut of a cooking school, classroom and visitor center.
“We are really excited to being a year round destination for our community and to stretch our wings and have more mission-based programs and to root them in our values of stewardship, sustainability and accessibility,” Calvert said.
The Foundation is embarking on a $2 million capital campaign to fund the new features, with Calvert stating about $1.6 million has already been raised.
Last year the City Council approved a short-term loan to the Foundation for the project requiring repayment within four years, which can be drawn out in increments, Wicha said.
However, Calvert said they have yet to tap into that loan, but did not rule that out in the future.
“We appreciated great community support for our capital campaign so we have been able to fund the projects thus far,” Calvert said. “We are grateful to know we have the opportunity of the loan from the city if we need it.”
Daniel I. Dorfman is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.
