In the midst of burgeoning construction of homes and businesses in Crystal Lake during the past decade, the Park District has succeeded in preserving more than 1,200 acres of natural areas and parkland, and continues its efforts to meet the recreational needs of a growing community.
Within the next few years, the Park District plans to purchase an additional 11 acres on the south end of town near Ackman and Huntley Roads, and is keeping an eye on any land that might become available north of Lippold Park or contiguous to any of its other natural areas.
“We feel that, with the amount of development in the area, we need to preserve open space,” said Kirk Reimer, director of parks and recreation. “Once the open space is developed, there’s no turning back.”
Within the next few months, park officials hope to resolve the decades-old issue of constructing a swimming pool or aquatic center after the results of a community needs assessment survey launched this fall are tabulated.
Though the community consistently supports Park District acquisition of land, it has consistently voted against construction of a pool.
“The last time we lost the referendum on the construction of a pool was in 1991,” Reimer said. “Since then, the community has grown and changed, but tax increases are still a major issue. What we decide to do depends on the survey results.”
Park commissioners approved paying $35,000 to hire Management Learning Laboratories of Winston-Salem, N.C., to obtain objective information on community desires for recreational programs, services and facilities. The survey, mailed to 4,000 randomly selected households, will be used to guide the district for years to come.
“We know what the vocal minority wants,” said Glenn Turner, who is serving his second term on the board. “The survey will provide us with the cleanest information possible from a blind, random sampling of the silent majority. We can’t appease everyone, but the desires of the majority will rule.”
Survey results will be tabulated by the end of the year. Commissioners believe the community wants a pool. If the survey confirms their beliefs, the board will focus on finding the land.
“We are even willing to consider a joint venture with someone to get an aquatic center built,” Turner said.
Out of its $11.6 million budget, the district shows a consistent deficit in the aquatics fund. This year’s deficit is $95,000.
“The only income we make off the beach is from non-resident fees,” Reimer said. “Not too many other park districts offer free use of their beaches and facilities to their residents. Beach maintenance is high. We hire more than 50 lifeguards each summer, beach managers and staff for maintenance.”
To offset deficits, the board is looking into some ways to make more money. An outdoor aquatics or fitness center are possibilities. Building a miniature golf course in Lippold Park is another.
“The Park District isn’t looking to make a profit. That’s not the nature of a Park District,” Park Board President Candy Reedy said. “But we do need to balance our budget. Any profits we might make would go directly back into the community.”
The construction of additional bike trails is another of the Park District’s goals. “Right now we have a lot of short bike paths that aren’t connected,” Reedy said. “With the rate this area is growing, a good bike-path system linking parks, schools and other recreational areas is extremely important to keep bikers and walkers off the major thoroughfares.”
Staff is looking into grants not only for bike trails, but also for a diagnostic study of the city’s namesake.
“We’re trying to get state funding to study the quality of water in the lake,” Reimer said. “There seems to be a perception that the lake is in bad shape. People look at the water and say it’s dirty. It’s turbid, but the water is not dirty.”
According to an Illinois Volunteer Lake Monitoring Program study conducted in 1999, Crystal Lake is the eighth cleanest of the 51 lakes monitored in northeastern Illinois. This EPA-sponsored program uses volunteer scientists, state agency staff and regional planning commissions to monitor and investigate the quality of Illinois’ lakes.
Staff is also seeking a grant for improvements at Lippold Park, which include the possible addition of trails and interpretive signs in the wetlands. Other improvements call for running sewer and water lines to planned construction of buildings near the soccer, baseball and football fields, and the addition of turn lanes at the main entrance.
Park programs serve all age groups, and as Baby Boomers age, services to seniors have become a major concern.
“We are part of the city’s commission on aging,” Turner said. “We are looking for some sort of partnership with the city and the township to met the needs of our senior population.”
At the other end of the spectrum, the district is also looking to add preschool and extended-time programs for young families.
“We have a waiting list for these programs,” Turner said. “Child care is a big issue, and we try to keep it as affordable as possible. We are looking for ways to grow these programs, and that means adding buildings.”
