Twin Lakes is a year-round, multi-purpose recreation area operated by the Salt Creek Rural Park District. It's located where there once was a barrow pit used to build Route 53 in Palatine, Illinois. The park covers 100 acres of land and accommodates walkers, runners, golfers, fishermen, sailboats, paddle boats, volleyball players, horseshoe players, skiers, skaters, picnickers ... in short, everyone who enjoys recreation and the tranquility of a park setting.

Land for the Twin Lakes Recreation Area was acquired by a multi-governmental agreement involving the Soil Conservation Service, The Metropolitan Sanitary District, the Village of Palatine and the Salt Creek Rural Park District.

The Soil Conservation Service approached the Salt Creek Rural Park District to see what interest the park district would have in maintaining the area if they (SCS) developed and paid for the land. The Metropolitan Sanitary District (MSD) also contacted the Village of Palatine regarding 50 acres of adjacent land that the village owned. The village eventually donated the 50 acres of land for the project.

The Soil Conservation Service and the Metropolitan Sanitary District's original purpose for this project was to establish flood control, with recreation facilities to be developed by a local sponsor. Once the Board of Commissioners agreed that they were interested in this venture, the Soil Conservation Service contacted the Metropolitan Sanitary District and gave them the money to acquire the land from a private developer. Plus, the 50 acres of land was donated by the Village of Palatine. The Metropolitan Sanitary District, the Soil Conservation Service and the Salt Creek Rural Park District drew up an agreement on the responsibilities that each unit of local government would have towards the maintenance and operation of the land. At this point, the project was considered officially "under way".

Because the Twin Lakes Recreation Area is located on a flood plain, the park is set up so the two lakes act as holding areas for excess water flowing down the Salt Creek. The water elevation of the lakes can rise 10 feet, so the park setting had to be designed to accommodate flood water. In May of 1987, the water elevation rose approximately 8 feet and the park district enacted its flood procedures. The park was closed for approximately 36 hours.

By design, the water recedes to its normal elevation within 72 hours.

The driving range is located on Lake Irene. For once, it's okay to drive your ball into the water! Photo by Matt Ristow.

The land that the recreation area is located on is divided by the two lakes. The east lake (Lake Irene) has a challenging nine hole executive golf course that surrounds the lake, replete with a driving range. The golf course, opened in June 1988, operates March through November, weather permitting. It opens at 6:30 a.m. and runs tee times until dusk. The first year of play accommodated 20,000 rounds of golf. Park district staff anticipate 25,000-30,000 rounds for the 1989 season; as the course becomes more familiar to their patrons, the staff can anticipate heavier play.

The golf course is an excellent facility for beginners, yet challenging enough for experienced golfers. The course has served as a women's LPGA golf outing site, and for park district programs and special golf outings.

One of the Twin Lakes Recreation Area's most unique features is the driving range, which is also located on Lake Irene. Golfers drive the golf ball into Lake Irene. You may ask yourself, "How do they retrieve the golf balls?" The actual golf ball is a floater ball with a dense center which restricts the flight of the ball by 20%. We depend on the wind to blow the golf balls to the shore, where ball boys scoop them up with nets, wash them and then reuse them. The driving range has been in business for three

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years and continues to do very well.

The other half of the park is called Donut Lake, aptly named because it has a small island in the middle. On Donut Lake the park district offers sailing, canoeing, paddle boats, ice skating, fishing, bike and walking paths. Fishing boats are available to fishermen early in the morning for lake fishing.

The park district stocks Donut Lake with crappie, blue-gill, large and small mouth bass and channel catfish. The Salt Creek Fish Club has been established to develop interest in fishing, provide fishing tournaments for the public and to conduct seminars.

The Twin Lake Recreation Area's clubhouse is located between both lakes. A golf pro shop area is the main function of the 3,500 square foot clubhouse; it also serves as a place for recreation programs, special events, birthday parties and private rentals which generate additional revenue.

Twin Lakes Recreation Area is located off of Rt. 53 and Northwest Highway in Palatine, Illinois. The Salt Creek Rural Park District invites you to visit this multi-purpose recreational area any time of the year.

ABOUT THE AUTHORS: Allen Baker is the Director of the Salt Creek Rural Park District. Heather Krupke is the Superintendent of Recreation at Salt Creek Rural Park District.