July 7, 2026 noon
(WGTD)---Believing that approval is inevitable, the Hoy Audubon Society of Kenosha and Racine is trying to minimize the negative impact of a proposal to revamp the Shoop Golf Course in Wind Point.
The area is a rare stopover on the western shore of Lake Michigan for thousands of migratory birds. Disrupting their habitat is what concerns the Hoy Audubon chapter and its president, Mick Burke. "We expect it to pass but we would like to see it pass in a way that preserves as much bird and wildlife habitat as possible, particularly on the east side of (Lighthouse Drive) where the developers seem intent on creating these views of the lake for future golfers and therefore are talking about a lot of clearcutting," Burke said. "We hope it's something less drastic than that."
Burke says the plan—put forth by the Leipold Johnson Golf Group—has some positives. But he believes if implemented as proposed the plan would have an immediate detrimental impact on the migratory and nesting birds that frequent the area. "Depending on how much existing habitat gets taken out it's going to take many years to try to equal what is lost by the new plantings that they're talking about," he said.
283 species have been spotted in the area since records were kept, Burke said.
The developers have said they want to turn Shoop into a "destination" golf course featuring dunes and dramatic views of the lake. As part of the plan, the developers are willing to build a new clubhouse and install revetment to minimize shoreline erosion at no cost to the city.
Burke says he and other board members have been in contact with the developers.
A tentative agreement between the developers and the city is expected to be discussed at an upcoming meeting of the city council’s Executive Committee. The referral item on Tuesday night's City Council meeting reads, "shoreline stabilization, habitat restoration, clubhouse and long-term leases for the operation and maintenance of Shoop Park.”
Burke said he hopes the committee meeting will be open to the public.
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