Battle over rights to lakefront park continues
“A restricted lakefront park could turn into a public attraction if a few residents can’t agree to share it with everyone else who lives in Heron Harbor, a multi-phase development on the southwest side of the village that includes a mix of 350 multi- and single-family homes.
Village officials Monday night, July 15, unanimously agreed to seek an appraisal of the park on Lake Marie, the first step in exercising eminent domain to establish a public park.
The feud between the 73 members in the Woodland Ridge Townhome Owners Association and all the other residents in the development has been festering for years, culminating in a lawsuit filed against the village a year ago by the association. “We just want a court order to protect our property rights,” said Rita Kopjo, president of the townhome association, explaining the reason for filing the lawsuit. “We have recorded deeds to the property. We spent the money to fix up the park and we pay the liability insurance. It’s disheartening that the village would want to take away our property rights.””
Kuyper, Diana. News Sun 17 July 2013.