Ten years since it showed up in a master plan, the dream for an inviting
park with a wide range of outdoor recreational amenities is about to become a reality for Round Lake Beach thanks to the cooperative spirit of the
park district and municipal governments. In 1990 the Round Lake Area
Park District developed a master plan identifying the need for a regional
park and recreational area on the north side
of the district. In 1995, a strategic plan confirmed this need.
"The continuing, rapid growth of the
Village of Round Lake Beach made it obvious that we needed to plan for a significant
park in this village," says Jim Rock, executive director of the Round Lake Area Park
District.
"Round Lake Beach is the largest of the
five communities we serve."
The Village of Round Lake Beach had a
master plan as well and it included commercial retail development along Rollins
Road, a new Metra train station, an additional water tower, and open space for recreational purposes. To facilitate storm water management in the developing area,
the village purchased property near the proposed train station and excavated a small lake (Hook Lake) with an eye toward future recreational use.
"In 1994 the village identified three pieces of land that we wanted to
designate as recreational areas," says David Kilbane, Round Lake Beach
village administrator.
"We knew our village needed a place to bring the community together
for recreation, so we approached the park district about a partnership."
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The village purchased an eight-acre parcel and used part of it to build
a water tower, then donated the remaining six-plus acres to the park
district. A 30-acre parcel, which had the last old stand of oak trees in the
area, was identified as desirable. While the park district worked on applying for an Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development (OSLAD)
grant, CorLands was contacted. CorLands (the Corporation for Open
Lands) is dedicated to preserving open lands and was instrumental in the
purchase of this property.
"In 1995 CorLands purchased the parcel and held the property for the village
and the park district," explains Rock.
"During that time, the park district applied for a $400,000 OSLAD grant for
acquisition of the property. In 1996 we
received the grant, and along with money
from the village, purchased the 30 acres
from CorLands. The village, in turn,
deeded the entire property to the park
district."
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"In the Round Lake Area, we
all have copies of each other's
comprehensive plans, and we
call each other to see if there is
a way we can jointly work on a
particular project."
- David Kilbane,
Round Lake Beach village administrator
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The village purchased an additional
two acres, and in 2000 the park district
was given a 20-year lease on it. The entire
70-acre parcel, which included Hook Lake
and surrounding property, was now ready
for development.
"We believe it was better in the long run to acquire all the land for
North Shore Park, so we could create a master plan for its development,"
says Rock.
In 2000 the park district received a $300,000 legislative initiative
grant from Senator Bill Peterson and Representative Mark Beaubien, which
is being used for infrastructure to create roadways, a parking lot and lights,
and to bring sewer, water and natural gas to the site.
"We are fortunate to be able to work with our five villages in a spirit of
cooperation. Our board of commissioners works hard to foster that coop-
10 / Illinois Parks and Recreation
SPIRIT OF COOPERATION THRIVES IN ROUND LAKE
erarion, and people such as our state legislators have taken notice of it and
rewarded us for it," adds Rock.
In 2001 the park district received a $400,000 OSLAD grant for the
development of the outdoor amenities on the site. These will include a
skate park, BMX course, bike trails, two picnic shelters, a fishing pier on
Hook Lake and a non-motorized boat launch. Construction should begin this spring.
Already on the property are two houses, one of which is being used for
the park district's preschool mini programs. The other is earmarked as a
teen center.
"With a $50,000 grant and the help of students in the College of Lake
County's Tech Center building trades class, we hope to renovate this
building and open it for teens next year," says Rock.
Through conversations with residents, the desire to have an indoor
pool in the community was high on the wish list.
"An indoor pool is a tremendously desirable amenity for the entire
Round Lake Area," says Kilbane. "The village approached the YMCA
about a joint venture with the park district to build and operate the pool."
"We leased the two acres back to the park district in the hopes that they
could form a partnership with the 'Y' for the pool. We know the 'Y' has
the expertise to operate an indoor pool profitably, and that was why we
approached them."
The park district and the YMCA are conducting meetings to determine the feasibility of the indoor pool project and what additional amenities might be added to the facility. This facility will be constructed on land
purchased by the park district not by using grant funds.
"The overwhelming support of our board of commissioners and the
villages mayor and board of trustees enabled this project to occur," says
Rock. "It is my belief that the North Shore Park project could not have
happened without the cooperation of the other agencies involved. None
of these agencies could have done this project alone."
Kilbane agrees: "In the Round Lake Area, we all have copies of each
other's comprehensive plans, and we call each other to see if there is a way
we can jointly work on a particular project."
Park district board president Jeanne Goshgarian amplifies this by saying: "We are so grateful to the local and state authorities who are enabling
us to develop a state-of-the-art regional recreational center without raising
our residents' taxes. We love to give our residents recreational facilities they
can enjoy and be proud of, but often limited funds preclude that. Through
this cooperative project, everyone, including our residents and the village
governments, are winners."
The more than 30,000 residents of the Round Lake Area will soon see
the fruits of this cooperation as the North Shore Park takes shape. On
adjacent property, four agencies have purchased additional land. The
post office, the park district, the Round Lake Area School District and the
Village of Round Lake Beach cooperatively purchased 26 acres. But that's
another story! •
CHRISTINE GENTES
is a member of the board of commissioners for the Round Lake Area Park District.
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Why the Partnership Works
• Master planning is an essential threshold step.
• Cooperation among village government, park districts and
local legislators benefits everyone.
• Grants—totalling more than $1.1 million—were
awarded for this project.
• Non-governmental entities, including a local community college, joined in the mix.
• We discovered alternative methods of acquiring land.
• The YMCA is not considered a competitor. In Round
Lake, we think of how we can complement each other
and not duplicate services to the same constituents.
— by Christine Gentes
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March/April 2001 | 11
