Four Colonies Park

It's time to register for fall programs and events! Browse the guide today and select your favorites!

It's here!
The Crystal Lake Park District Fall 2022 Digital Activity Guide is live and registration is OPEN! Use the digital guide by clicking on the program code and link directly to online registration
https://view.publitas.com/clpd/programs/page/1
All households in the 60012 and 60014 zip codes should look for the guide to hit your mailbox later this week.

Operations update: Playgrounds now open (except Main Beach)

Update: Saturday, June 27

Playgrounds now open (with exception of Main Beach), Splash Pads open early next week

PLAYGROUNDS
Final direction on opening playgrounds was received late in the day Friday. Playgrounds (with the exception of Main Beach Playground which will open early next week)are now open with the following rules in place:
· Practice social distancing at parks & playgrounds.
• If playground already has 50+ people playing, wait patiently for a few to leave before joining.
• Stay six feet (or at least an adult arm’s length) away from others.
•Cover your mouth & nose with your elbow or a tissue when coughing or sneezing, then throw the tissue in the trash and wash your hands.
•Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands.
•Don’t share food, water bottles, utensils or cups.
• Stay home if you have a fever (above 100.4F), coughing or
shortness of breath, or are otherwise unwell.
•Bring disinfecting wipes or hand sanitizer to clean hands before/after play.

SPLASH PADS
Splash Pads will open early next week with the same guidelines as playgrounds

MAIN BEACH
Information on opening beaches was received last night from the Illinois Department of Public Health. Details are being finalized with the County Health Department, staff training is in progress and final preparation to open the beach will be complete next week. The tentative date to open Main Beach is July 6, 2020. At this time, West Beach will not be opening but that could change.

Thank you for your continued patience and understanding as we work through the details of what must be done to provide these services in a safe manner.

The Crystal Lake Park District just posted an operations update in regards to playgrounds, splash pads and Main Beach.

As Illinois moved to Phase 4 of the Restore Illinois plan today, we have received many questions regarding Crystal Lake Park District playground, splash pad and beach operations. Because playgrounds and splash pads were not called out specifically within the initial draft guidelines for Phase 4, we must wait until we receive the final Executive Order from the Governor’s Office in regards to reopening these areas.

It is still uncertain if beach operations will be allowed to open during Phase 4. As an Illinois Public Bathing Beach, we are required to have approval and an operating license from the Illinois Department of Public Health prior to opening Main Beach. At this time, the approval and additional guidance has not yet been provided from the Governor or IDPH.

Once a determination is made regarding playgrounds, splash pads and Main Beach operations, we will announce via our email subscriber list, social media, press releases and our website.

The Crystal Lake Park District just posted an Operations Update for June 1, 2020

Crystal Lake Park District Operations Update June 1, 2020

Dear Residents,

Based on the Governor’s Executive Order 2020-38 issued on May 29, 2020 and the guidelines provided by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) and the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), the Crystal Lake Park District has made the following updates to operations as we enter Phase 3 of the Restore Illinois Plan.

The Racket Club Tennis facility will open for lessons and open play on June 8 following the guidelines provided by the DCEO.

The Lippold Park Family Golf Center driving range, practice area and miniature golf will open June 15 following the guidelines provided by the DCEO. While we planned on opening sooner than June 15, the conditions of the grounds is forcing a delay. Due to the record rain fall during the month of May, the turf areas at the Golf Center are too wet for mowing equipment. As a result, the grass is long and needs to be cut and cleaned up prior to the facility opening. Due to the high volume of peat in the ground in that area, this area takes longer than normal to dry out.

The Crystal Lake Park District’s newly developed Day Camp program is anticipated to begin July 6 following the DCEO, IDPH and American Camping Association (ACA) guidelines. Staff is currently being hired and will have to go through the onboarding process along with training that consists of the typical camp staff training along with the new training program that specifically addresses the new environment due to the COVID-19 situation. The Camp 2020 Digital Guide is tentatively scheduled to be released on June 3. Registration via our online registration portal in the 'Activity' field, select 'camp' to display camp options.

Main and West Beach remain closed pending direction from the IDPH. If beaches are able to open, consideration to open West Beach as well as Main Beach will be given provided we are able to properly and safely staff the beach.

Parks and trails remain open. We ask that users adhere to the Governor’s Executive Order and follow Centers for Disease Control guidelines when visiting these spaces. This includes practicing social distancing and not gathering in groups. Ignoring guidelines could result in increased restrictions.

Boat Rentals at Main Beach will be available beginning June 8. Information regarding the reservation process will be announced via our website and social media prior to June 8.

The Hound Town Dog Park at Lippold Park is anticipated to open on June 15.

The Skate Park and Batting Cages at Lippold Park will open June 3.

Doubles play on tennis and pickle ball courts is allowed, but singles is still recommended. For a list of parks with tennis courts and pickleball courts, visit our interactive map

All indoor programming other than what has been specifically called out in the Governor’s Executive Order is postponed until further notice.

The Nature Center remains closed but will be offering some outdoor programming opportunities in the near future.

The Administration Building remains closed but the drive through window is open from Mon-Fri, 8:30 am-noon for limited services that include boat launch gate keys, fisherman gate keys and drop off registration.

The Colonel Palmer House remains closed.

Playgrounds, Splash Pads and basketball courts are to remain closed per the Governor’s Executive Order.

Youth Sports are able to take place in some capacity based on the DCEO guidelines. Crystal Lake Park District Affiliate sports groups are putting together plans that will allow play soon.

As more information becomes available, updates will be provided.

Jason Herbster, CPRP
Executive Director

The Crystal Lake Park District summer activity guide is available and registration is open. The guide is digital only to allow for updates throughout the summer (print copy will not be distributed).

The summer 2020 digital activity guide is live and registration is open!

Due to the evolving CDC guidelines surrounding 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.

https://view.publitas.com/clpd/programs/page/1

The Crystal Lake Park District just posted an Operations Update

Dear Residents,
With all the uncertainty, summer 2020 is going to be much different than previous summers in our community. The Restore Illinois Five Phase Plan issued by Governor Pritzker’s Office is the plan directing how we move forward based on science and data surrounding the fluid COVID-19 virus situation. We wanted to provide you with this brief update on summer at the Crystal Lake Park District.

Beaches and Boat Rental
•The opening of the beach at Main Beach is on hold until further notice
•West Beach will not open for the 2020 summer
•Public Beach operations are included in Phase 4: Revitalization which could occur in early July
•Main Beach Park will be open - The beach area and playground will remain closed per the Governor’s Executive Order and have been fenced off due to the start of the “swim season”
•Boat rentals will be available in the near future
•Boat launches will remain open for those with boat launch gate keys

Camps
The 'traditional' day camp programs that many children have enjoyed through the Crystal Lake Park District will not be offered this summer. Instead, the Crystal Lake Park District has been working to create an alternate camp program that can exist within the guidelines of Phase 3: Recovery.
•Under Phase 3, summer programs can open in the following manner:
1. Using approved IDPH safety guidelines
2 Groups of 10 or fewer
3. Social distancing guidelines in place
•Locations, staffing, activities and timelines are still being developed to determine if camps of this nature are possible.
•Due to preparations and staff training, the earliest start of the alternate camp program would be early July.

Programs and Facilities
Regular summer program offerings will be in our digital brochure that can be found at crystallakeparks.org beginning Fri, May 22. As we progress through the Phases, facilities such as The Racket Club, Nature Center, and Golf Learning Center will begin to open following IDPH guidelines.

Please know that we are closely monitoring the situation daily. We are working hard to be able to bring you the summer programs we all enjoy given the major changes to our operations due to COVID-19.

The value recreation provides a community is beneficial to one’s quality of life and even more so during this challenge. The Crystal Lake Park District’s ability to deliver services as usual is not possible. As the Crystal Lake Park District navigates through the COVID-19 situation, we greatly appreciate the community’s continued patience.

Be safe, be well, and please enjoy your parks, trails and services that are available!!

Jason Herbster, CPRP
Executive Director

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

Program cancellation and facility closure update from the Crystal Lake Park District

Stay Informed: Crystal Lake Park District Program Cancellations & Facility Closures

Governor Pritzker has extended the stay-at-home order to April 30, 2020. Please see below for how this extension impacts Crystal Lake Park District operations.

Closed Through April 30:
•All Crystal Lake Park District facilities including The Racket Club, Administrative Office, Barlina House Preschool, Grand Oaks, Colonel Palmer House, Nature Center and Lippold Park Family Golf Center are closed through April 30, 2020.
•All playgrounds.
•All outdoor courts (basketball, sand volleyball,, tennis, pickleball), athletic facilities and fields, and Lippold Park Disc Golf Couse, Lippold Park Hound Town and Lippold Park Skate Park.
•Opening day for Lippold Park Family Golf Center is tentatively rescheduled for May 9.

Program Cancellations:
All registered and free programs/special events scheduled to begin or take place between now and April 30 are canceled or postponed. Staff will reach out to participants and families directly with more information on program make-ups, rescheduling, or refunds. Information will be available early next week regarding the refund process and timeline.

Open:
Parks and trails remain open. We ask that users adhere to the Governor’s Executive Order and follow Centers for Disease Control guidelines when visiting these spaces. This includes practicing social distancing and not gathering in groups. Ignoring guidelines could result in increased restrictions.

Racket Club Memberships:
All Racket Club automatic billing payments are on hold as of April 1 and until the facility re-opens.

Boat Gate Key Cards:
Boat launch keys purchased for the 2019 season are still able to be used until further notice. Those that have purchased new keys for 2020 are now able to be used. Due to the boat launch not being an essential service under the Governor’s Executive Order and the Administrative Offices being closed under this Order, new boat launch keys will not be available for purchase until the Governor’s Executive Order is lifted.

Facility & Picnic Shelter Rentals:
Staff will reach out to you directly if you had a facility or picnic shelter rental scheduled between now and April 30 that has not already been canceled or rescheduled.

Barlina House Preschool & Extended Time:
All automatic billings and payments continue to be suspended until the District re-opens and the programs resume. If the programs are cancelled entirely at a later date, refunds will be processed accordingly at that time.

Contacting the Park District:
While many staff members are working remotely, we are still available to answer your questions! We will do our best to respond to you Monday-Friday between 8:30 am to 5 pm.
Park Police remain on duty. To report any park damage or if you need Park Police assistance, please call 815-455-2313 (Police non-emergency number)

Parks Department staff will continue to monitor properties and facilities with a reduced crew.

For general questions and inquiries, please use the website Contact Form,crystallakeparks.org/contact-us or email [email protected] and your email will be forwarded to the staff member in charge of that program or facility.

As always, your continued understanding, patience and support is valued and appreciated during this challenging time. Adherence to the guidelines and stay-at-home order is also appreciated. It is imperative that one’s personal enjoyment must take a back seat to public safety and the wellness of all.