(WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- Part of Lake County's largest forest preserve will be closed starting next month.
The Lakewood Forest Preserve near Wauconda is about to undergo more than $5 million in improvements.
"What we will get to add is some accessible fishing piers at our two lakes in this area, Banana Lake and Taylor Lake," said Rebekah Snyder, Director of Community Engagement and Partnership for the Lake County Forest Preserves. "A new accessible asphalt path, about 1.6 miles, that will be open and available year round and plowed and salted year round, as well as some improvements to our Millennium Trail.
Construction is expected to start around June 1, meaning the core portion of the forest preserve will be shut off to visitors, between the main entrance off Route 176 and Ivanhoe Road.
It's part of a larger master plan that will eventually add a nature-based play area, a four-season shelter that will be rentable to the public and accessibility improvements to an existing shelter next to the bat shelter.
"The important thing for listeners to know is that our very popular dog exercise area will not be affected and our winter sports area will not be affected," added Snyder. "Those will stay open through the construction."
The first phase of construction is expected to wrap up in September 2024.
Those who enjoy the Lakewood Forest Preserve can visit 63 other Lake County Forest Preserve sites during that time. They include the Fox River Forest Preserve, a 10-minute drive away.
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