After announcing it would delay its opening by one week on Wednesday, Three Oaks Recreations officials said high winds yesterday afternoon helped to demolish the remaining ice layer on its south lake, said Terry Clarke, Assistant Site Supervisor at Three Oaks, in an e-mail.
With the ice clear, Clarke said they decided Thursday to go ahead as originally planned and open the marina starting at 6:30 a.m. Saturday, April 12. Fishing boat rentals will be available at the marina starting this weekend. Other boats, such as paddle boats, sailboats and canoes, will be available once the weather warms.
"Our April hours after this weekend will be open Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 6:30 a.m. until sunset," Clarke said in the e-mail.
For more information on boat rentals, visit the Three Oaks Recreation Area website.
The above information was updated at 3 p.m. on April 10.
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ORIGINAL ARTICLE: With a significant amount of ice still on the waters at Three Oaks Recreation Area, the city of Crystal Lake announced Wednesday it will delay opening its marina until April 19.
The marina was originally supposed to open this weekend. The city is hoping "mother nature will cooperate" to allow for the marina and boat rentals to be available starting at 6:30 a.m. on April 19 for the summer season.
"The ice that remains on the lake could damage and put holes in the rental boats," according to an e-mail from Eric Helm, Crystal Lake's Deputy City Manager.
Despite warmer temperatures in recent days, the south lake at Three Oaks Recreation area still was 50 percent covered by ice, according to the Three Oaks Recreation Facebook page.
Three Oaks uses aerators to prevent ice damage to its Marina docks but relies on Mother Nature to clear the remainder of the lake, according to the Facebook page.
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