Cleanup Day this Saturday!

Cleanup Day is this Sat, Oct. 17th, at 9am-Noon (rain date of Sun Oct 18th) 

There will be no lunch served at the beach due to COVID-19.

Projects we know about and where you can help:

  • Beach/Shoreline :  Retrieve rocks out of the lake and place them back where they belong. Renee DelMissier in charge.
  • Briar Terrace:  Trim vegetation to recreate path down to the pier area. Dan Trahan in charge.

Volunteers needed:

  • To drive around with garbage bags and water bottles for distribution.
  • For the Maple Park Trail
    • Near Deadman’s curve and through to Crescent Dr to haul out dead wood, excess brush
  • Schwerman Park? Let me know if you can head up a crew there!
  • No work needed in Ravinia Park as we’re waiting for work to begin there by ILM (creek and pond rehabs).

Note, last Saturday two trees were cut down on Highland Dr near the dam as they were diseased.

A new red oak was planted in honor of Nick & Bunny Molsen and will have a carved stone placed with their names engraved when it is finished.  It is the first tree along the shoreline when you pull in on Highland Dr.

IMPORTANT:  Please place any brush at the curb with the cut ends facing the street to make it easier for Fremont Township to pick up and shred.  Please do not pile anything in the streets.  The chipper cannot handle anything over 2”, so no logs are allowed.

If you can lead a group in any needed area, please call Jeri Swanson @ 847-507-2760 and leave her a message.

Leaf Pick Up Reminder: The first attempt will be Tuesday Oct 20th. Leaves are to be on your own property at the curb and not in the street by 6am. Since this is the very first time, they are not sure how busy this process will be or when the next pick up will be.   Fremont Township will keep us posted.

Thanks in advance!

Checker Board Parking

Checker Board Parking is the occasional parking of cars on both sides of the street and it can be challenging to pass through this maze. Our streets are generally narrow and when there is parking on both sides of the street it becomes challenging for the average size vehicle to maneuver between the parked cars to pass down the street. Larger emergency vehicle, many times, would not be able to negotiate between the parked cars.

Please ask neighbors and your friends that may be visiting that “checker-board” parking on both sides of the street is discouraged and is a discourtesy to others as well as a safety issue for emergency responders.

Lake Lowered

As previously communicated, the lake was to be lowered on Oct 1 in order for members to work on their shorelines and help reduce ice damage over the winter.  One board has been removed from the dam, but there are some rocks mortared around the last remaining board that would require some excavating to remove.  Fremont Township would rather leave it as is for now. 

The lake is lowered as much as possible, so everyone can begin their shoreline work.

Sincerely,
SLIA Board

Updates to the Rules and Regs posted

Members,

Updates to the Rules and Regulations have been published and made effective August 19, 2020. Changes are as follows:

  • Section 3.A.11 was added to reflect when boat ownership changes.
  • Section 3.E was updated to reflect adjusted pier square footage requirements for single and multiple connected lots, new Boat Lift requirements, Floating Raft distance requirements, and general language updates for consistency.

The Rules and Regulations document can be found here.

Sincerely,
SLIA Board

Oktoberfest Cancelled

Due to a number of factors including not being able to serve food/drinks and COVID-19 group size and social distancing requirements, we won’t be able to hold the Oktoberfest event this year.  

We hope you can still enjoy Oktoberfest at home by putting on your favorite lederhosen, breaking out some polka, and tossing back a pint.  Feel free to post those pictures on the Sylvan Lake Facebook page 🙂   

Stay safe everyone.

Sincerely,
SLIA Board

Shoreline Work

We hope you’re enjoying the summer and taking advantage of everything Sylvan Lake has to offer.  We have an opportunity to help with shoreline erosion this fall and wanted to give you ample time to prepare.

Normally, our lake is slightly lowered prior to the winter season, however, this year our lake will be lowered an estimated 11 inches on October 1.  This will be done by removing two boards from our dam, which will be added back in the spring.  We encourage all lakefront members to inspect your shoreline and use October for work on improving erosion control, removing old debris, fixing piers and enhancing your shoreline. 

We appreciate everyone for keeping their shorelines and lake in beautiful condition!

Respectfully,
SLIA Board

Guest Privileges and Updates from the Area

Guest Privileges
There have been multiple instances of visitors using our beach and fishing near the dam without a member present.  As a reminder, just because a guest knows a member doesn’t give them access to use our lake at any time.   All guests must be accompanied by a member in our common areas or they can be asked to leave.  Sylvan Lake is a private community and we appreciate your cooperation.

Open Burning Ban Extended
The Lake County Board voted to extend the open burning ban until August 12th, 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.  As a reminder, small recreational campfires or cooking fires are permitted so long as dry seasoned firewood is used and smoke is not a nuisance to neighbors. This ban is primarily aimed at preventing yard waste and garbage from being burned which generates much more smoke.

Should you have any questions or concerns regarding this matter, please contact the Lake County office at (847) 367-5511.

Boat Safety Class
The Countryside Fire Protection District is hosting a free boat safety class on Saturday, August 15th, 2020.  It’s recommended for anyone born after 1998 that would be operating a motorized watercraft.  Registration is limited to 20 students and there are still spots available.  See the attached flyer for more information.

For more updates from our Countryside Fire Protection department, we encourage you to “like” their Facebook page.

Sincerely,
SLIA Board

Beach and Playgrounds Update

We’ve been eagerly awaiting direction from the IL Department of Public Health for opening our beach and playgrounds.  We have just received word that we’re now able to open both immediately.  Phase 4 guidelines are still in place, so please continue to practice social distancing and keep groups less than 50 people.  

We’re looking for young and strong, but will take ANY volunteers to put out our swimming pier and raft on Saturday, Jul 11 at 9:00am.   

Just a few reminders,
1) Our lake is catch and release for all bass.  Members are responsible for guests not following this rule.
2) Pets are not permitted in the beach area.
3) Glass bottles are not permitted in the beach area.

Thanks again for all your help!

-SLIA Board

Summer Volleyball League

Summer volleyball will begin Tuesday June 16. For those unfamiliar this is a recreational Tuesday evening league that plays at both Schwerman and Bjorkland. The season typically wraps up the last Tuesday in July or first Tuesday in August, followed by an end of season Saturday tournament.

If you would like to organize and captain a team, please reach out, so I can include your team on the schedule. 

Dave Kruse
847-989-2392
Krusdp@gmail.com

Beach update

Hello Sylvan Lakers,

We wanted to keep everyone updated on the status of the beach, which is currently closed for swimming while we waited on guidance from the IL Department of Public Health.

The IL Department of Public Health just recently released swimming guidelines which state that beaches should remain closed during Phase 3 of the Restore Illinois plan.  You can read those guidelines here:  http://www.dph.illinois.gov/sites/default/files/Swimming%20Facility%20Guidelines%20Final%206%205%2020.pdf.  Also note that playgrounds are still closed in Phase 3 as well.

While beaches cannot open in Phase 3, they may be able to open in Phase 4. Phase 4 could happen at the earliest by June 26th if the Northeast region meets the required metrics set forth by the Restore Illinois Plan.

We will continue to keep members updated as new information gets released. Thanks again for practicing social distancing around the lake.

Be safe.

Sincerely,
SLIA Board