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| Lake County News
from David Stolman
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December 29, 2010
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David Stolman
District 20 Representative and
County Board Chairman |
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Dear Friends and Neighbors,
 | | David Stolman |
As always, it's a pleasure and honor representing you on the County and Forest Preserve Boards. Please contact me anytime for any reason - I love hearing from you!
 Wishing Everyone a Healthy, Happy and Safe 2011
I encourage you to forward this update to others who may be interested in Lake County news.
Thank you,
David Stolman
Lake County Board Representative District 20 |
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Winter Sports at the Forest Preserve
The Lake County Forest Preserves' winter sports hotline provides current winter sports conditions 24 hours a day, seven days a week, at 847-968-3235. A recorded message conveys current trail and ice conditions for sledding, cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, ice fishing or ice skating at Lake County Forest Preserve locations. Condition reports, maps and other winter sports information are also available onthe Lake County Forest Preserves' website at www.LCFPD.org.
Sledding
Sled hills are located at Lakewood Forest Preserve (Wauconda) and Old SchoolForest Preserve (Libertyville). The Lakewood hill is part of a dedicated Winter Sports Area at that site, and is lighted, allowing for winter fun until 9 p.m., daily. The Old School hill is open until one hour after sunset, when conditions allow sledding. Snowboards, metal runners or toboggans are not permitted.
Cross-country Skiing
Cross-country skiers can enjoy more than 124 miles of trails at forest preserves throughout Lake County. Groomed trails are available at Lakewood's Winter Sports Area and at Old School, when conditions allow. Grooming is typically done two days after a large snow fall. A 4-inch snow base is required for cross-country skiing at the Ryerson Conservation Area in Riverwoods.
Snowmobiling
Snowmobilers can use nearly 24 miles of designated trails within the preserves, manyof which connect to other area snowmobile trails. A 4-inch snow base is required for snowmobiling. These trails are groomed and patrolled by Lake County Forest Preserve staff and volunteers.
Snowmobile trail routes at Rollins Savanna Forest Preserve in Grayslake have been changed in an effort to protect wildlife and sensitive natural areas. Snowmobilers should use caution and watch for trail route signs at this location, and along all other forest preserve snowmobile trails.
Snowmobilers can ride for eight miles along the DPR trail from Russell Road to just south of Wadsworth Road. Parking and trail access is provided at Van Patten Woods just east of Route 41 at Russell Road and at the Wadsworth Road Canoe Launch.
When conditions allow, snowmobile trails are open from 6:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and 6:30 a.m. to midnight on Fridays and Saturdays. The following snowmobile trailer parking lots are open extended hours for snowmobilers: Van Patten Woods parking area (on Russell Road east of Route 41 in Wadsworth), Wadsworth Road Canoe Launch parking area (on Wadsworth Road east of Route 41 in Wadsworth), and the Operations Office parking area at Lakewood (on Ivanhoe Road west of Fairfield Road in Wauconda). All other parking lots close at dusk.
Ice Skating
Lace up your skates and head to the lake at Independence Grove in Libertyville or the man-made rinks at Lakewood's Winter Sports Area and Old School. The shallow rinks typically freeze earlier in the season than the lake at Independence Grove where a 4-inch ice layer is required for ice skating. Hockey is not permitted.
Ice Fishing
When conditions allow, ice fishing is available at Banana Lake at Lakewood, Sterling Lake at Van Patten Woods, and the South Bay at Independence Grove. A 4.5-inchlayer of ice is required for ice fishing. Shanties and shelters are permitted for day use, only two poles are allowed, and holes must be drilled six inches or smaller. All other fishing regulations apply.
Independence Grove is open daily from 6:30 a.m. to sunset for ice fishing. Van Patten Woods is open weekdays from 6:30 a.m. until one hour past sunset for ice fishing, and on Saturdays and Sundays from 6:30 a.m. to sunset.
Winter Hikes
All the preserves are open daily from 6:30 a.m. to sunset for hiking in a lovely winter setting, listening to the sounds of woodpeckers and chickadees as they forage for a meal and watching squirrels scamper in the snow.
Locations
The Winter Sports Area at Lakewood Forest Preserve is located on Fairfield Road, just south of Route 176, in Wauconda. The entrance to Old School Forest Preserve is located on Saint Mary's Road, just south of Route 176, in Libertyville. The entrance to Independence Grove is located on Buckley Road, just east of Milwaukee Avenue (Route 21), in Libertyville. The entrance to Ryerson Woods is located on Riverwoods Road, north of Deerfield Road and south of Route 22, in Riverwoods. The main entrance to Van Patten Woods is located on Route 173, east of Route 41, in Wadsworth.
For current information on snow and ice conditions, call the Lake County Forest Preserves' 24-hour winter sports hotline at 847-968-3235 or look online at www.LCFPD.org.
CONTACTS:
Mike Tully, Director of Operations, 847-968-3415, mtully@LCFPD.org
John Tannahill, Chief of Ranger Police, 847-968-3405, jtannahill@LCFPD.org
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Winter is here. Are you ready?
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Winter in Lake County means frigid temperatures, snow, and ice. If you're not prepared, these elements can be dangerous. It's important to be aware of winter hazards, and have a plan for your family, home, car, work and school. In this 5 minute video, Lake County Emergency Management Coordinator Kent McKenzie gives tips on winter preparedness. You can also read the Illinois Emergency Management Winter Storm Preparedness Guide, which contains information about winter weather terms and tips for staying safe this winter. |
DOT Improves Efficiency and Goes Green with GPS Units on Snow Plows and Blending Salt with Beet Juice
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The Lake County Division of Transportation is enhancing efficiency of snow removal, and going green through innovation and technology. Global positioning systems (GPS) on snow plows and other DOT vehicles are providing real-time tracking of these vehicles, as well as the application of salt and de-ice materials. The data is then used to better coordinate and target services, saving on salt and gas. Lake County installed 32 GPS units so far and is collecting the data that will be used as a benchmark for future years. DOT projects a savings of about 600 tons of salt and 1,600 gallons of diesel annually. The GPS units were funded using a federal grant from the U.S. Department of Energy through the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program. Additionally, DOT is helping the environment by using less salt on the roads with new techniques, including pre-wetting the salt before application, and blending it with beet juice. The result has been a 25% reduction of salt per treatment.
Watch this 4 ½ minute video to learn more about these advancements in snow removal operations. |
Illinois Tollway Activates Zero Weather Road Patrols to provide help along the way During First Deep Freeze of Winter Season
Zero Weather Road Patrols Augment H.E.L.P. Trucks and State Police District 15
The Illinois Tollway is preparing to launch its Zero Weather Road Patrols to assist drivers stranded in their cars during the first deep freeze of the 2010-2011 winter season. The Zero Weather Road Patrols are implemented when temperatures and/or wind chills drop below zero. The Tollway will activate Zero Patrols tonight, Sunday, December 12.
The 24-hour service dedicates hourly patrols in search of motorists stranded in disabled vehicles or in response to calls that come in to *999 motorist assistance, Illinois Tollway dispatch or Illinois State Police District 15.
"Being stranded without gas or with a flat tire in sub-zero weather can be a frightening experience," said Executive Director Kristi Lafleur. "The Zero Weather Road Patrols provide additional service to Tollway customers who can be assured that we will be there to help when needed."
During dangerously cold weather, the Illinois Tollway also encourages customers to visit one of the seven oases located along the Tollway system to warm up, check their vehicles or simply take a break. The oases provide a variety of food, beverage and retail offerings, as well as Mobil fuel stations. On the Tri-State Tollway (I-94/I-294/I-80), there are four oases: Lake Forest, O'Hare, Hinsdale and Chicago Southland Lincoln in South Holland. There are two oases on the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90) in Belvidere and Des Plaines, and one on the Reagan Memorial Tollway (I-88) in DeKalb.
While Tollway Highway Emergency Lane Patrol (H.E.L.P.) trucks run from 5 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday through Friday, the Zero Weather Road Patrols work throughout the day and night, including weekends. Cars or trucks with empty fuel tanks, flat tires, overheated radiators or mechanical problems are just some of the most frequent problems reported among the motorists needing help.
There are a minimum of 11 Zero Weather Road Patrols, at least one from each maintenance garage section. While on patrol, these vehicles also retrieve debris reported in lanes and can assist Illinois State Police District 15 as needed. Zero Weather Road Patrols augment H.E.L.P. trucks and State Police patrols and ensure all segments of the Tollway system are monitored, especially during the overnight hours.
The Zero Weather Road Patrols consist of crew cab trucks equipped with arrow boards for directing traffic around accidents or stranded vehicles and enough room to accommodate up to five passengers if motorists need to be transported to a Tollway maintenance garage, toll plaza or Tollway oasis while service is obtained.
Other Tollway Services
The Tollway's Traffic and Incident Management System (TIMS) provides real-time travel times via the Illinois Tollway's Web site - www.illinoistollway.com.
TIMS coordinates travel times and roadway information through the use of more than 200 roadway cameras, I-PASS electronic toll collection data, systemwide weather sensors, computer-
aided dispatch for Illinois Tollway maintenance and Illinois State Police District 15 and motorist phone calls. This information helps the Tollway quickly identify and confirm problems on the roadway, providing immediate, real-time assessment of incidents and allowing maintenance and emergency vehicles to be dispatched sooner, which helps the Tollway keep the roadways clear of accidents, as well as snow and ice.
In addition, the Illinois Tollway operates a toll-free telephone line to keep customers up to date about weather conditions on its roadways. Customers can call 1-800-TOLL-FYI (1-800-865-5394) to get recorded information that is updated every two hours or as conditions require during winter storms.
Winter Weather Travel Tips
The Tollway offers the following travel tips to keep safe during extreme temperatures:
· Stranded motorists should turn on their emergency lights and remain in their vehicles until help arrives.
· Cell phone users should call *999 motorist assistance for roadway assistance or to report other motorists pulled over on the side of the road.
· Before calling, try to note the nearest milepost marker - a green and white sign that displays a number, direction of travel and route designation shield - so the stranded motorist can be quickly located.
About the Illinois Tollway
The Illinois Tollway is a user-fee system that receives no state or federal funds for maintenance and operations. The agency maintains and operates 286 miles of interstate tollways in 12 counties in Northern Illinois, including the Reagan Memorial Tollway (I-88), the Veterans Memorial Tollway (I-355), the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90) and the Tri-State Tollway (I-94/I-294/I-80).
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Recycle your Christmas tree at Lake County Forest Preserves
Don't send your Christmas tree to the landfill, drop it off at the Lake County Forest Preserves for recycling. Donated trees are chipped and used for trails and for landscaping at forest preserves throughout Lake County. Bring your tree to a drop-off site at one of the following forest preserves:
· Greenbelt in Waukegan
· Half Day in Vernon Hills
· Lakewood in Wauconda
· Old School in Libertyville
· Ryerson Woods in Deerfield
· Van Patten Woods in Wadsworth.
Drop-offs accepted at the marked sites only between December 28 and January 31. Only undecorated, real Christmas trees can be accepted; no yard waste. Commercial drop-offs are prohibited. Lake County Forest Preserves are open from 6:30 a.m. to sunset, daily. |
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