Mundelein open house invites support for Diamond Lake upgrades: ‘We’ve had a vision for this for about four years’

Representatives of the Mundelein Park & Recreation District are asking the public to support proposed upgrades to The Landing on Diamond Lake. Opinions are welcome, too.

Officials are applying for a $1.2 million grant to fund improvements for the facility across the street from Diamond Lake Road and Pleasure Drive from Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development (OSLAD), a state-financed grant program administered by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.

Tall fencing has come down on the portion of the lakefront that was once pay-access-only along the former Diamond Lake Recreation Center. What people see now is classic low rail fencing.

All are welcome now for free, and an open house Saturday was meant to inform the public and ask for written support to go with the district’s application for the OSLAD grant to be submitted by Aug. 31.

People could fill out sheets of paper at a gazebo to express support to strengthen Mundelein’s OSLAD package and request.

OSLAD grants help local governments acquire land and improve public parks. The application window for the current funding cycle will make $37.5 million available statewide.

Diamond Lake is about 140 acres, with the park district owning about 80%. The lake is home to species such as bass, catfish, bluegill, and muskie, with a goal to get rid of invasive carp that eat native plants. The park district has set aside a sanctuary lake area for native plant species.

The Landing has about two acres of frontage along the lakefront, according to Mundelein Park & Recreation District Executive Director Ron Salski.

“We’ve had a vision for this for about four years,” Salski said, with the goal of the facility being open to anyone. “All are welcome.”

The OSLAD grant would help improve the building and terrace. Plans call for amenities such as a water spray feature for all ages and abilities, including wheelchair accessibility, a fishing pier and sensory-friendly attractions.

The goal is for the OSLAD projects to be completed by the end of 2028, or the spring of 2029. The final master plan for the Diamond Lake Beach area was adopted last April 27.

Salski and his team have been inspired by what Fox Lake has done with its free-access Lakefront Park. Lake Bluff’s Lake Michigan beach was among the recreational spaces that also provided examples and possibilities for Diamond Lake.

“Every site is unique,” he said. “What everyone’s been doing, I think, is fantastic for Lake County. If we can make a difference where people can just relax and enjoy nature and see the birds, we’re really excited.

“We’re actually one of the more unique towns where one of our key values is inclusivity,” Salski added.

Saturday’s open house included classic family yard games with a food truck available. Visitors also could purchase food and beverages inside the building. The interior features historic graphic informational art and views from windows of remaining undeveloped land set for improvements.

Having fun with a wooden blocks challenge game were Rachael Sotirovic of Hainesville and sons Gavin, 8, Maddox, 6, and Wade, 2.

“Me and my best friend love to come here and just relax,” she said. “But we would love to see it built up more. It’s close to home. It is a little gem, it’s beautiful, and it’s peaceful.”

Outside, the cornhole bags game was popular, but many people also were seen tossing and skipping small stones into the water from the rocky shoreline.

Ruby Gold, 3, and Brooklyn Rosenberg, 3, both of Mundelein, were accompanied by their mothers and spent a large amount of time throwing stones into the lake.

“We were just talking about how nice when they get to be in high school (to have) a safe, fun area that they can hang out,” Ruby’s mother, Brittany Yates, said.

Brooklyn’s mother, Ashley, said, “We’re all in; we’re excited to see this.”

For Dave Stroz of Mundelein, Diamond Lake is just that, a diamond, especially at sunset, “when the rays are dancing off the surface.”

Cristian Diaz of Round Lake held on to the shirt of his son, Caris, 2, as the toddler threw stones into the lake. It was their first visit to The Landing at Diamond Lake.

“He’s enjoying himself, which is great,” he said. “This is very nice.”