What's Happening in Champaign, IL…

Preservation of Crystal Lake in the Urbana Park District of Champaign is on the cards with the district's officials.

According to recent reports, district officials are focusing on rehabilitating the lake, and want to hear from the public about the project. The lake has sustained damage from soil erosion, geese overpopulation, and urban runoff.

The Urbana Park District's project manager, Caitlin Lill, says she believes the lake deserves the attention, and is planning a public meeting to examine the lake's condition and propose strategies to rehabilitate it.

Meeting participants will examine the quality of Crystal Lake's water, measures to restore the habitat and repair erosion damage, and how to renew public access to the lake. It is estimated the work will cost about $1 million.

Lill notes that Crystal Lake Park is a center for recreation, with access to fishing piers, paths, trails, and some boardwalks, some of which are underutilized. She says they want to improve park usage.

The manager of the project has also noted that there are places in the park where the lake isn't visible, giving some people a feeling of claustrophobia. Improving access will help that.

There are three pedestrian bridges that cross the lake, and the district intends to preserve them - with potential plans to update them and the fishing piers as well.

Park district officials could work with a flyer printing company on a mailer for Champaign-Urbana residents explaining the issues and asking them to attend future meetings.