Lake in the Hills to rehab fen area

McHenry County Conservation District invites the public to view and comment on the Second Draft Master Plan for Lake in the Hills Fen Conservation Area in Algonquin Township.

The plan of the proposed public access and site improvements is available online at www.MCCDistrict.org until Thursday, Nov. 20. Hard copies of the plan and site map are available from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday at Brookdale Administrative Offices, 18410 Route 14, in Woodstock. In addition, a special public viewing is scheduled from 4 to 6 p.m. Nov. 20 at Brookdale before the board of trustees meeting.

This Second Draft Master Plan creates an integrated balance between recreational uses and the protection of the site's sensitive environment. Potential site improvements include looped nature trails for hiking and cross country skiing and an ADA paved trail, a picnic shelter, interpretive signage and public parking area.

The Lake in the Hills Fen Conservation Area is a 198-acre parcel east of Randall Road, south of Lake in the Hills Airport, and directly west of Lake in the Hills Fen Nature Preserve. The land was purchased with grant funds from the State of Illinois to protect the Crystal Creek and surrounding wetlands as well as give the public an opportunity to experience and learn from this unique site.

The timeline for this project is to have a final Master Plan approved at the Thursday, Dec. 18, board of trustees meeting. Plans will then be submitted for the 2009-2010 budget and permitting/engineering work will begin.