Share your ideas for Hastings Lake area

Residents will get another chance to share their ideas for the Hastings Lake forest preserve near Lindenhurst.

A planning open house is scheduled from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Antioch/Lake Villa Township Township Center, 1625 Deep Lake Road, Lake Villa.

Forest preserve staff will be on hand to discuss three concept master plan designs that reflect public input from an open house held last fall and a countywide survey conducted in 2005.

Input is being sought on future public access and amenities, including recreational opportunities centered around the 80-acre lake.

The three plans include variations of a trail system, boardwalks, wetland, meadow and woodland enhancements, picnic shelters, fishing piers, a playground, boat access and education pond and other amenities.

To view the designs, visit www.lcfpd.org and select Hastings Lake from the "Your Forest Preserves" section. Thoughts, concerns or ideas on the designs can be e-mailed to shall@co.lake.il.us or call (847) 968-3270.

The district bought the 255-acre property for $10 million in 2003. It was named for the Hastings Lake YMCA camp, which operated on the property from 1923 until recently. The preserve was open to the public last summer with a mowed trail and a parking lot.

Future improvements will depend in part on public opinion, which will be reviewed by the forest preserve board as it considers approval of a master plan.