Hello Neighbors
I have lots of information to share as (unofficial) summer starts this Memorial Day weekend. Several villages and organizations will hold ceremonies to honor those who died in the service of our country as members of the armed services. Look for details by using community links in the blue box below.
Hawthorn Woods' Aquatic Center and the Mundelein Park District's Barefoot Bay - both waterparks - will open. Read about other activities in the Forest Preserves, our local parks and fresh markets. It's a great time of the year and we are in a great place to experience all the benefits of the season.
I hope you notice the "translate" link at the very top of the newsletter. Read a fully translated version of this newsletter if you or a friend are more comfortable in another language. [It might also be an interesting way for your foreign language student to practice.] This is another example of our Lake County team working to better serve our residents. And, along the lines of serving you, please contact me by phone or email with your questions, issues and concerns.
Regards,
The County Board works for all residents to deliver services
and solve problems that impact their daily lives, from property taxes to roads
to jobs. The Lake County Board recently updated its strategic plan, which
serves as a road map for county government and influences how we prioritize and
invest our resources. Residents and local leaders provided input on their
priorities through a variety of channels, including two telephone town hall meetings,
a survey of Lake County residents, and a series of Leaders Round Table
meetings. View a
summary of the input as well as highlights from the plan, and the entire plan.
Did you know the Lake County
Division of Transportation (LCDOT) has about 60 miles of bike paths and bike
lanes as part of the Lake County highway system? This is part of the over
550 total miles of trails and bikeways, connecting forest preserves and
communities throughout the county! Plan your next trip by using the Bike Lake County
application, where you can find all the trails,
paths, and lanes you can use in Lake County.
Dan Krill from Lake County’s
Planning, Building & Development Department has been using these bike paths
and bike lanes while riding his bike to work every day (even in the winter) for
the past seven years. Watch this video to hear his story,
and learn how LCDOT continues to consider non-motorized travel a high priority.
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Are you planning to go boating over the Memorial Day weekend?
Boating is one of the most popular activities in Lake County, and it’s no
surprise as the county offers so many lakes to visit as we enjoy the warmer
weather. Check out BoatingLakeCounty.com as your boating resource including
maps of all the county’s public boat ramps, lakefront dining and more.
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Mundelein: The village and American Legion Post 867 will
hold its annual Memorial Day celebration at 10 a.m. May 29. The parade will
form at 9:15 a.m. at the Metra station and end at Memorial Park. Learn more
Round
Lake area: A Memorial Day ceremony will begin at 9:30 a.m. at the
American Legion Hall in Round Lake Park. The parade will follow and will lead
to the Round Lake Beach memorial at the corner of Cedar Lake Road and Clarendon
where the community is invited to join a second memorial service at the
memorial. Learn more
Wauconda:
Join the annual tradition and watch the Memorial Day parade
along Main Street in downtown Wauconda on May 29. The parade will begin at 10
a.m. and will end at Memorial Park where the community can join an American
Legion ceremony honoring the veterans. Learn more
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Protect your wallet and identity by ordering certified or genealogical
copies of Lake County birth, death, marriage, or civil union records directly
from the County Clerk’s Office. Residents are warned against using online
vendors, who sometimes charge higher fees, and they ultimately send the
order to the County Clerk’s Office to be fulfilled. To protect the integrity of
these records, access is restricted by state statute, and applicants are
required to complete a written application and provide valid identification.
For those who cannot visit the Clerk’s office, downloadable application forms
are available. Learn more
The
farmers markets are coming! We are fortunate to have a number of village markets in and
around our district where you can find fresh produce and so much more. Use our farmers
market finder to discover a market near you, including days and
hours.
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Forest Preserve News
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Independence
Grove Beach
Grab
your swimsuit, towel and sunscreen, and head to the beach at Independence Grove, open only on weekends May
27 to June 4. The beach will open daily beginning June 5. The beach offers
400 feet of sand along the lake's South Bay. Learn more
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Summer Camps
Select openings are still
available. Our day camps are designed for summer fun and learning. Browse
available camps and enroll online.
New
Middlefork Savanna Trail Connection The Lake
County Forest Preserve District is partnering with the City of Lake Forest and
Lake Forest Academy to build a trail connection, which will link Middlefork
Savanna Forest Preserve in Lake Forest to other local trails and parks. Project
elements include a 221-foot steel pedestrian bridge over the Metra Railway with
a scenic overlook, new 10-foot-wide paved trails, and a revised crosswalk
at IL Route 60 to improve access to Townline Community Park. View map. Construction started this spring and
should be complete by late fall 2017. Learn more
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Wildlife in
the Preserves
By early June, coyote pups
begin to venture out of the den that has sheltered them since birth. In
early summer, we often receive reports of sightings due to increased daytime
activity. When dens are located near trails, staff will install signs to inform
trail users about coyote behavior and how to safely respond if you see a coyote.
Learn more
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Get an inside look at what it’s
like to work in the Lake County Jail as County Board Chairman Aaron Lawlor explores some of its
"tough" jobs. Watch this video and see him do some of the daily tasks at the jail
like laundry and food preparation, and learn how the jail keeps clean.
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Join Hawthorn Woods' village-wide garage sale Join the annual village-wide
garage sale in Hawthorn Woods from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, May 20. The
event will take place rain or shine. Printed maps will be available at the
Hawthorn Woods Village Hall and at Hawthorn Gardens. For information, call
847-796-2303.
Get involved in Diamond Lake preservation efforts The Diamond Lake Preservation
Association has planned a kick-off weekend Saturday, May 20 and Sunday, May 21 to launch Diamond Lake
preservation efforts. Residents are asked to participate either day by
volunteering their time during the lake and roadside garbage clean-up and/or
the carp fishing derby. Learn more
Mundelein
Park District to Host Second Annual Carp Fest Grab
fishing poles and join the Mundelein Park District’s second annual Carp Fest Saturday, May 20 and Sunday, May 21. Win prizes for the biggest carp, most carp and smallest carp. Learn more
Join Mundelein's final spring open mic night The Mundelein Arts Commission
will host its final Open Mic Night of the spring season at 7 p.m. Friday, May
19 at AREA General Store. The popular Open Mic Nights will resume in the fall.
Dates and location are yet to be decided. Learn more
Save the dates for Wauconda Fest
Enjoy carnival rides, a kickball tournament, craft show, car show, live music and
much more at this year’s Wauconda Fest. The festival will run June 22 to 25 at
Cook Park.
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