Residents want dandelion-free lawns

HIGHLAND PARK, Ill., June 16 (UPI) -- Residents of a former military base in suburban Chicago are criticizing a government agency over its failure to rid their lawns of dandelions.

Homeowners at Fort Sheridan in Highland Park, Ill., say the presence of hundreds of yellow dandelions was especially embarrassing during Memorial Day observances held at the former army base, The Chicago Tribune reported Monday.

The Lake County Forest Preserve District is responsible for maintaining the landscaping at Fort Sheridan because the army deeded some 250 acres of land to the district after the fort was permanently closed.

Lawns are cut weekly but residents say it doesn't get rid of the dandelions which pop up daily.

"They've allowed a tremendous weed field to flourish, propagate and grow to prize status," says resident Bill Lolli.

Forest preserve property is exempt from Highland Park's ordinance banning dandelions and other nuisance weeds.