Bangs Lake marina set for extensive summer improvements

Demolition of three buildings at the former Wauconda Boat site is scheduled to begin next month as the Wauconda Park District moves forward with a master plan that adds a boardwalk, picnic shelter and an ADA-accessible kayak and canoe launch; the district bought the 4.4-acre property in February 2022 and received a $600,000 state grant for the project.

Four years after acquiring the former Wauconda Boat property on Bangs Lake, the Wauconda Park District is moving ahead with a master plan to improve the site fronting Route 176. Work will begin next month with demolition of three buildings nearest the road. The district says landscaping, site repairs and new amenities will improve public access and the overall appearance of the lakefront. The village advisory board and village board approved the planned development in January. Planned changes: - Demolition of three buildings closest to Route 176, including the sign shop, a six-unit apartment building and an older house with an attached apartment. The maintenance building and bait shop will remain. - New site work including curbs, paving, widening the access drive and additional parking to better delineate the entrance. - Amenities planned include a picnic shelter, retaining walls, a boardwalk along the lake, an ADA-accessible kayak and canoe launch, a fishing station, bags court, bench swing, game tables, sunning steps and pathway connections. - Landscaping designed to improve appearance, add shade, increase stormwater capacity and slow runoff into the lake. - The park district purchased the 4.4-acre site for $1.7 million in February 2022, has been operating the marina, and received a $600,000 state Open Space Land Acquisition and Development grant as part of a roughly $2.5 million site redevelopment plan. Summary: The project is expected to open a long-obscured vista on the south end of Bangs Lake, expand public amenities and address stormwater and shoreline appearance. Demolition of the three buildings is scheduled to begin next month, and broader site work is planned for the coming summer following the January approvals.