Operations Update: April 11

The Crystal Lake Park District continues to monitor guidance from public health officials and the governor's office. We hope to return to normal operations as soon as possible. Please refer to the updates below for the latest District information.

Summer Registration
With the uncertainty caused by the Covid-19 situation, the Crystal Lake Park District will not be printing a summer activity guide. Instead, we will provide a digital guide beginning on May 8. In addition to being a cost saving measure, the digital guide will enable staff to provide the most accurate and up to date program/event and facility information based on the evolving Covid-19 restrictions. Registration for summer will open on May 8. Summer camp, which were already accepting registration since February, will continue to be available via our digital camp guide. We are eager to see all of you at our programs, events and facilities!

Social Distancing
As the weather improves, please remember that in accordance with Governor Pritzker’s Stay-At-Home order, all Crystal Lake Park District playgrounds, courts, fields, Hound Town Dog Park, fitness areas and the skate park are temporarily CLOSED. Gatherings, including team sports and practices are not allowed. Crystal Lake Park District Police are monitoring parks, but we are counting on the entire community to do their part to ensure that social distancing efforts are as successful as possible. Please adhere to the following:

• Refrain from using trails if exhibiting symptoms.
• Follow CDC’s guidance on personal hygiene prior to and during use of trails.
• Prepare for limited access to public restrooms or water fountains.
• While on trails, warn other users of your presence and as you pass, and step aside to let others pass.
• Observe CDC’s minimum recommended physical distancing of 6 feet from other individuals at all times. If this is not possible, users should find an alternate location or depart that space.

General Operations
Like most businesses, closures and cancellations resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic have taken a drastic negative toll on the Park District’s finances. Under regular operating conditions, operations income, program revenue, user fees, grants and debt proceeds account for approximately fifty percent of the District’s operating budget, with the other fifty percent coming from the District’s portion of local property taxes. In order to continue our practice of good stewardship and accountability, the District has taken a number of difficult but necessary steps to minimize operating costs, including temporarily reducing our workforce. While we have some staff working to attend to essential functions such as mowing grass, building maintenance, and customer service, we ask for your patience as there may be some delays to our normal operations. If you need to reach us, please email jleech@crystallakeparks.org or call 815-459-0680 to access staff voicemail directory. 

Staying Connected and Having Fun at Home
For tips on staying active and connected while at home, follow us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram. During this time we are working with our fitness staff to provide fitness classes via Zoom. In addition, many Independent Contractor program instructors are providing virtual activities/classes/lessons. Crystal Lake Park District staff have created virtual events and contests to engage and stay connected with residents and encourage you to participate.

Sunrise/Sunset Photo Contest: Winner, Debby Kane-Salberg, 1-hour free Main Beach Boat Rental summer 2020

Forts in the Living Virtual Fort Building Contest: submit your photo or video to jleech@crystallakeparks.org by Sun, Apr 12 at 5 pm, winner receives a $25 Baskin Robbins gift card

National Pet Day Photo/Video Contest: submit your photo or video to jleech@crystallakeparks.org by Mon, Apr 13 at 5 pm, winner receives a pet-themed gift basket

For the latest updates on our operational response to COVID-19, please visit https://www.crystallakeparks.org/coronavirus