Big Party At Beach Prompts New Rules In LITH: Officials

LAKE IN THE HILLS, IL – A large party that included residents from a different community, which caused overcrowding at a Lake in the Hills beach Sunday, has prompted village officials to change the rules regarding its beach. The group came via bus and parked in the small parking lot at the beach.

"The bus created a parking problem and forced residents going to the beach to park in the neighborhood around the beach," Fred Mullard, village administrator for Lake in the Hills, told Patch via email. "Additionally, the beach became crowded with people, making it less enjoyable for our residents."

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Following the incident, the village sent out a notice Wednesday regarding new beach regulations for Indian Trail Beach and Butch Hagele Beach. Moving forward, only Lake in the Hills residents and their guests will be able to use the beaches in town and village employees will be at the beach on the weekends to monitor those stopping out and ensure compliance.

“We’ve listened to feedback from our residents and feel these changes will address their concerns," said public works director Tom Migatz. “We will continue to maintain our beaches for the enjoyment of Village residents and consider opportunities to make operational improvements."

Signs have been posted at both beaches around Woods Creek Lake letting visitors know about the new regulations.

"Our first priority at the beach needs to be our residents," Mullard said.

Village officials are also reminding boaters at the lake to get a boat use permit and either obtain a lake use permit or pay a daily lake use fee to boat on the lake at any time. Residents can apply for the permits or pay the fee at the customer service desk at village hall, 600 Harvest Gate in Lake in the Hills.

Daily lake use fees may also be paid at the police department at 1115 Crystal Lake Road.

Anyone with questions or concerns can call the public works department at 847-960-7500 before 3 p.m. on week days. After 3 p.m. on week days and over the weekend, residents can call the police department's non-emergency number at 847-658- 5676 for assistance.

More information about beach rules can be found on the village's website.