CHANNAHON, IL – The Forest Preserve District of Will County’s popular Lake Chaminwood Preserve will be closed to the public for several months starting Thursday, April 20, as part of an improvement project aimed at enhancing visitor experience.
The preserve, known for its 35-acre lake and 0.7-mile paved trail, has often faced issues of overcrowded parking, leading to visitors parking on Shepley Road.
To address this congestion, the Lake Chaminwood parking lot will be expanded from 21 spots to 74 spots, more than tripling its current capacity, and the existing vehicle entrance will be relocated approximately 300 feet west along Shepley Road. Additionally, a new accessible kayak launch, a floating dock, a pedestrian welcome plaza, and new pathways to connect the parking lot to the lake and existing trail will be added to the site.
The project, funded by a $750,000 donation from the Dollinger family, an $80,000 grant from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources’ Boat Grant program, and the Forest Preserve’s Capital Improvement Program, is expected to be completed in June.
A second phase of improvements, including two new accessible fishing piers and a 0.25-mile extension of the Lake Chaminwood Trail, is scheduled to be bid in June or July, with completion anticipated by the end of the year.
This expansion will provide a crucial connection to the 61.5-mile I&M Canal State Trail via a 90-foot bridge over the canal, making Lake Chaminwood the planned southern terminus of the DuPage River Trail and allowing for future connectivity of the regional DuPage and I&M Canal trails.
Visitors are encouraged to visit ReconnectWithNature.org for more information on the Forest Preserve District of Will County and updates on the Lake Chaminwood improvement project.
