Bike Lake County, Local Memorial Day events, and More

Lake County, Illinois sent this bulletin at 05/26/2017 10:00 AM CDT

May 26, 2017

Let’s Go Biking, Lake County!

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 bike ways, 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.

Join Your Community for Memorial Day Events

Libertyville: A parade led by the American Legion and VFW will begin at 9:30 a.m. May 29 from the commuter train station to Cook Park for the annual ceremony.

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. Mayor Steve Lentz will speak at the Memorial Day gathering. Learn more

Travel Safely, Buckle Up this Memorial Day

As motorists take to the roads this upcoming Memorial Day weekend, the Lake County Sheriff’s Office reminds everyone to buckle their seat belts. Sheriff’s deputies will be enforcing seat belt laws, joining law enforcement agencies across the country in mobilizing the Click It or Ticket Border to Border Operation. Learn more

Keep Drivers, Workers Safe! Don’t Rush Through Work Zones

Road construction can cause delays, but don’t try to hurry through a work zone. Even if workers aren’t on site, work zone speed limits are in place AT ALL TIMES by state law. This is for the safety of drivers as well as the workers. Work zones have changing conditions, shifting or narrowing lanes, equipment and other potential hazards to motorists that are going too fast or not paying attention. Watch this video as Lake County Division of Transportation workers share a few safety tips and ask for your help to make sure everyone gets home safely at the end of the day.

Check Out Boating Lake County

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.

Order Your Vital Records Directly from the County Clerk’s Office

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

Communities Launch Year-Round Composting Programs

Turning food scraps into compost is just one part of Lake County’s critical strategy to increase recycling across the county and achieve a 60% recycling goal. One way the Solid Waste Agency of Lake County is helping work toward that goal is through food scrap programs like the ones recently launched in Highwood and Lake Bluff, the first municipalities in Illinois to include year-round food-scrap collection programs in hauling contracts. Watch this video to learn more about this new program.

Forest Preserves News

Help Restore Nature
Spend a weekend morning restoring wildlife habitat. Gather with other preservation-minded volunteers, and help make a difference in the health and habitat of your forest preserves. No experience is required, and families and groups are welcome. Please RSVP so we can bring enough equipment for everyone. Learn more

Foundation Celebrates 10 Years
This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Preservation Foundation of the Lake County Forest Preserves. Every gift from every donor helps us do more. We’ll celebrate this milestone with a special event for our “first decade donors,” and we’ll host behind-the-scenes tours and gatherings to thank donors and inspire others to get involved. Learn more

Beyond Ribbit
Few sounds evoke summer in Lake County like the song of frogs. Listen for these late-season breeders at a preserve near you.

Grey treefrog (Hyla versicolor)
Hearing birds singing at night? It may be the bird-like musical trill of this frog calling from the trees. Best bet: Van Patten Woods (Wadsworth), west of the river.

Green frog (Rana clamitans)
Listen at night near ponds and rivers for the sound of a loose banjo string being plucked once or twice. Best bet: preserves with ponds, such as Captain Daniel Wright Woods (Mettawa).

Bullfrog (Rana catesbeiana)
Some use the mnemonic “jug-o-rum” for this common, but non-native, species. We prefer to imagine Star Wars light sabers in action. Best bet: Des Plaines River Trail and adjacent forest preserves.

Explore more of Lake County’s native plants and animals.

Community News

Mundelein hosts summer outdoor concert series
Enjoy music while also enjoying the warm weather as the Village of Mundelein, Mundelein Park and Recreation District and the Mundelein Community Connection continue their Summer Concerts in the Park series. All concerts begin at 5 p.m. at Kracklauer Park. View the concert schedule.