Illinois Beach State Park reopens
BY HUNTER CLAUSS Staff Reporter hclauss@suntimes.com April 1, 2012 12:08AM
Updated: April 1, 2012 12:24AM
The Adeline Jay Geo-Karis Illinois Beach State Park is scheduled to reopen Sunday after two storms last summer caused severe damage to the 4,160-acre park located in north suburban Zion.
In June and July, hundreds of trees at the park fell during two storms that produced winds in excess of 90 miles-per-hour, according to a written statement from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. The storms also damaged park building, picnic areas, trails and campsites.
The department hired a tree service contractor to help with the restoration efforts, which included cutting and removing “several hundred trees” in order to make the park safe for visitors, the statement said.
Some restoration plans — like the planting of replacement trees and replanting some grassy areas — will continue throughout the spring, officials said.
The park stretches more than six miles along Lake Michigan and includes a hotel, campgrounds, hiking and bikes trails, fishing areas and a marina.
During April, the campground will be filled on a first-come, first-serve basis, the release said. After that, camping reservations can be made online at www.reserveamerica.com.
