Crystal Lake Park District Offers 2013 Picnic Reservations, Hound Town Keys, Beach Vehicle Stickers, Boat Gate Cards and Walk-In Fisherman Keys Beginning January 2, 2013

On Wednesday, January 2, 2013, the Crystal Lake Park District will open sales of 2013 Picnic Reservations, Hound Town Keys, Beach Vehicle Stickers, Boat Gate Cards and Walk-In Fisherman Keys.  Reservations and purchases should be made at the Crystal Lake Park District Administrative Office located at One East Crystal Lake Avenue, Crystal Lake.  Office hours are 8:30 am-5 pm Monday-Friday, Saturday 9:30 am-Noon (April-July only). For further information call (815) 459-0680.

2013 Picnic Reservations

Picnic reservations for Veteran Acres Shelters and Picnic Areas, Lippold Park Skate Park Shelter, Sterne’s Woods or Woodscreek Park Shelter may be made beginning January 2.  A maintenance deposit per 50 people is required.  The deposit is returned if the picnic site is left in a clean, natural condition.  A user’s fee is charged for shelters and picnic areas.  Fees vary according to the size of the picnic. 

2013 Hound Town Keys

Hound Town is a three-acre park where dogs can socialize and run off leash.  Hound Town is located at Lippold Park, on Route 176, just west of Route 14 in Crystal Lake. An annual permit (valid from January-December) allows you to enjoy the area specially designed for your furry friend.  It is entirely fenced in and is open year-round, dawn to dusk.  To purchase a Hound Town key, park users must bring the following:

• Proof of residency
• Proof of Rabies vaccination from your vet or vet receipt.
• Pay the appropriate fee below:

Non-Resident: $45 fee for non-resident dog/$10 for each additional dog

Non-Resident Senior (age 60 +) Rate: $30/$5 each additional dog

Resident Discount Fee: $30 fee for first resident dog/$6 for each additional dog*

Resident Senior (age 60 +) Rate: $15/$3 each additional dog.

2013 Beach Vehicle Stickers

Vehicles entering either Main or West Park Beach must have a current vehicle sticker attached to the windshield or a daily fee will be charged.  If you reside in the City of Crystal Lake or the Village of Lakewood, you must purchase their respective municipal sticker which is honored for beach use.  Through April 30, stickers are available free to Park District residents who live in unincorporated areas within the Park District boundaries.  Beginning May 1, stickers cost $10 per household.  To obtain a beach vehicle sticker, you must provide all the following documents in person:

• Current Illinois driver’s license
• Illinois Vehicle registration card for each vehicle
• $10 fee (per household)

2013 Boat Gate Keys

Park District Residents Only.

Attention Boaters: Crystal Lake Park District boat launches at the Main Beach and West Beach facilities are closed. The water level in Crystal Lake has dropped to a point where it is no longer safe to launch boats at these sites. Hand carrying of canoes, kayaks and small watercraft is allowed. Park staff will continue to monitor the launch areas until the water depth returns to safe levels for launching, at which point the reopening of the boat launch will be announced on www.crystallakeparks.org and on the park district weather hotline (815) 459-PARK.

If you have a 2012 Boat Gate Card, it can be reactivated.  Bring your gate card, IL boat registration and IL driver's license to the Park District Administrative Office.

Fee: (for both reactivation and new cardholders)

$70, seniors 60 & older, receive a half price discount.

Park District resident boat owners must reactivate (fee above) their card each year to use the Main or West Park launch ramps.  In order to purchase/reactivate a card, you must provide all the following documents in person:

• Current Illinois driver's license
• Illinois boat registration card
• Application fee (see above for amount)

2013 Walk-In Fisherman Keys

Park District Residents Only

Fee: $20 (proof of residency required)

The Park District offers gate keys to residents who want to fish at Main or West Park beaches before the parks open at 9 AM.  Key card allows for entrance through the park's special walk-in gates.  (Small portable boats are NOT allowed through the walk-in gate.)