Hastings Lake improvements could be phased in

Much-anticipated improvements at the Hastings Lake Forest Preserve near Lindenhurst would be implemented in phases over four years under a Lake County Forest Preserve District plan unveiled Thursday.

A 2.5-mile trail that loops around the lake, picnic shelters, fishing piers and other amenities are planned for the site, which now only features a mowed trail and a parking lot.

The improvements would be added gradually because of the cost of the work, which could cost close to $10 million - about $4 million more than was projected earlier this year.

Each phase would be approved individually, forest district Executive Director Tom Hahn told the board's finance committee Thursday.

The first phase would be the biggest and costliest, with projects totaling nearly $7 million, Hahn said.

Trails, roads, a boat launch, three shelters, a fishing pier and restrooms are among the amenities that could be part of this phase, according to plans.

"The trail component is a major one," Hahn said, adding that building a boat launch and improving public access to the lake also are key goals.

The district has enough money saved up for that work, Hahn said.

Later phases could bring another picnic shelter, more restrooms, another fishing pier, natural restoration efforts and other improvements, plans say.

The 255-acre preserve - south of Gelden Road near Grass Lake Road - was purchased in 2003 from the YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago for $10 million. It opened to the public this summer.

The full forest board could decide Tuesday, Sept. 9, whether to adopt the phased improvement plan, which was finalized after several public reviews and open houses.

Officials have said they want to start construction by spring 2009.