Lake Co. youth group pitches in to build accessible fishing pier

Home to bass, blue gill, carp, sunfish and even a giant goldfish, the pond at Wright Woods Forest Preserve near Mettawa has a new draw for handicapped people who like to fish - a wheelchair accessible pier.

For the past two weeks, Lake County Forest Preserves' Youth Conservation Corps has drilled, hammered and power sawed bundles of wood for the pier and an adjoining ramp. Wednesday, the group added a railing and finishing touches to the pier.

"People biking and walking along the trails have been coming over and asking us about our project," said Brendan Norton, member of the YCC. "Many of us didn't have any previous carpentry experience, but we have learned along the way."

Norton and YCC members have been working off a blueprint with the help of an architect and YCC Program Manager, Lonn Calanca. And, they're outfitted with safety gear during construction.

"We use steel toed boots, hard hats, goggles and sometimes protective pants to keep out the ticks," said Paul Gustek, YCC crew leader. "We have been wearing sunscreen, bug spray and drinking plenty of water."

A nonprofit organization, the YCC provides opportunities for life and work skills development, environmental education and service to the community. The YCC's mission is to preserve the county's natural habitats and to educate others about invasive species and conserving our environment.

According to crew members, the YCC chose the pond at Wright Woods to prevent further erosion along the pebbled pathway leading to the pier.

"Since the pathway is on a slant, all of the rainfall over the years has caused the gravel to pile up," said Hanna Kruckman, YCC assistant crew leader. "The forest preserve predicts the pier will be intact for the next 30 to 50 years."

Since June 6, The YCC has worked on projects at Independence Grove's dog park in Libertyville, Ryerson Woods in Deerfield and held an annual golf outing fundraiser at Thunderhawk Golf Club in Beach Park where they raised $150,000, Money from the outing contributed to the supplies and wood for the fishing pier.

"Most of our members have been coming back to the YCC for the past two or three years," Kruckman said. "It's great for those who want to pursue working with the wildlife or nature."

The entire group agreed they felt a sense of accomplishment because of the project.

YCC members even mentioned possibly testing the new pier in the near future.

"You never know what we might catch," Norton said. "We could catch a big fish and bring it to our end-of-the-year picnic,"