Willows Edge Park

12/20/2024

Environmental Restoration Update for Willow's Edge Park

December 2024
An additional phase of invasive brush removal is being carried out at Willows Edge Park this winter. Brush including common buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica), bush honeysuckle (Lonicera spp.) and Callery pear (Pyrus calleryana) are being removed where they infested and smothered the southern buffer of a pond. This will allow the establishment of more ecologically diverse native prairie buffer and pond shoreline vegetation at this location, improving wildlife habitat value and the aesthetic.

In addition, these same invasive brush species are being removed from the trailside along portions of the southern trail corridors. This too will allow the establishment of more diverse native vegetation and has the added benefit of improving the line of site around turns for trail users.

As the work continues scattered invasive trees and shrubs will be selectively removed where they have invaded the western prairie.

05/01/2020

May 1 Crystal Lake Park District Operations Update

May 1, 2020 Crystal Lake Park District Operations Update

Greetings Crystal Lake Park District Residents,

I hope this note finds you and your family doing as well as can be expected during these challenging times. As you are aware, Governor Pritzker has extended the stay at home order through May 31, 2020. As a result, the Crystal Lake Park District will remain closed until further notice. All facilities including the Administration Building will be closed. All playgrounds, basketball courts and the Hound Town dog park will remain closed out of concern for social distancing. The CDC has stated that pets need to follow the same social distancing guidelines as everyone else due to reports of animals testing positive for COVID-19.

All outdoor public tennis courts in the parks and pickle ball courts will be open for SINGLES play only. The disc golf course at Lippold Park will also be open. All trails and open spaces along with fishing will remain open. Social distancing is to be practiced at all times and facial masks are to be worn per the Governor’s Executive Order if the six feet needed for proper social distancing cannot be achieved.

The Park Services Department will be working to complete essential functions such as grass cutting, park and facility inspections and building maintenance throughout the district. Due to the evolving CDC guidelines and summer camps, programs and events, we have made the decision to provide the summer guide in digital format so that updates can be made as the need arises. The guide will go live and registration will open on Friday, May 15, 2020. As more information develops in these areas, communication will promptly be sent out informing the community. In the meantime, visit our website at crystallakeparks.org to explore some fun activities and virtual offerings.

With the Governor’s Executive Order now allowing boating, boat gate launch keys will be on sale for limited hours at the Administration Building drive-through only. The hours for boat gate launch keys will be Monday-Friday, 8:30am-noon.
On behalf of the Park Board of Commissioners and Staff of the Crystal Lake Park District, thank you for your patience and understanding as we work through the details of the COVID-19 situation. It is times like this that everyone needs their parks and recreation more than ever and we are working hard to get to that point as soon as safely possible. Be safe!

Sincerely,
Jason Herbster, CPRP
Executive Director