Public Meeting Will Discuss Conditions At Hidden Lakes Trout Farm

BOLINGBROOK, IL — The Forest Preserve District of Will County will hold a public meeting to share information and answer questions regarding current site conditions at Hidden Lakes Trout Farm, according to a release from the preserve.

The meeting will be held at 4 p.m. June 30 on-site at Hidden Lakes, located at 475 Trout Farm Road in Bolingbrook.

During the meeting, Forest Preserve staff will discuss setbacks to the operation of Hidden Lakes due to vandalism and supply chain issues, as well as the status of improvement projects and anticipated completion timelines, the preserve said.

The Forest Preserve purchased Hidden Lakes Trout Farm and Hidden Oaks Nature Center from the Bolingbrook Park District in February 2022. Prior to the acquisition being finalized, the Forest Preserve outlined plans for improvements, including replacing the bait shop at the trout farm and reopening and improving the nature center.

Since then, work has begun, but the District has encountered unexpected delays on some projects. Vandals caused $18,000 in damage to an electrical panel that controls the water levels in the lakes; and vandals also tried to remove the circuit breaks for an electrical cabinet that controlled the aerators for the lakes.

In response, Forest Preserve police have increased patrols and building checks in the area. A trail camera has been installed, as have signs indicating police are monitoring the preserve. A number of verbal warnings and citations have been issued for after-hours use of the preserve, the district said.