Lemont Outdoor Recreation Park Breaking Ground By Fall

LEMONT, IL — The Forge at Lemont Quarries, an outdoor recreation park planned in Lemont, will potentially break ground by the end of the year. Called "one of the most exciting, new developments" by Mayor John Egofske during the annual state of the village address, The Forge is "a recreation destination for all of Chicagoland."

Egofske said The Forge's initial projections are looking at bringing 750 customers on a daily basis to the outdoor recreation park.

The project, which is located on the northwest corner of Main Street and Walker Road, hopes to break ground by late summer or early fall 2019.

According to the state of the village address, the park will have the largest ropes course in Illinois, Wisconsin, Michigan or Indiana. There will also be cross-quarry ziplines, mountain biking trails, trail running/hiking, water sports and more.

"We have a natural asset here, and it's our quarries and our topography," Egofske said. "This is an awesome project, because we're going to be able to utilize those natural assets."

Patch reported last year when the project was announced. The $35 million project will be privately funded, and it will be located on both public and private land owned by the village and the township.

Lemont resident Jeremie Bacon and his two business partners Chris Gladwin and Bart Laythen have invested in the project and are involved in the design and development of the park.

Egofske said the park will be completed in two phases, with the $10 million first phase including all outdoor equipment and infrastructure, as well as a food court. The $25 million second phase will include indoor buildings for rock-climbing, restaurants and entertainment, as well as a new entrance off Main Street.