Lake Zurich, also known as the Village of Lake Zurich is located in Lake County, Illinois. In 2006 the Village was named by Frommer's as one of the top hundred "Best Places to Raise Your Family". The Village of Lake Zurich is approximately 37 miles from downtown Chicago with a 250 acre lake, one of the cleanest lakes in the State of Illinois. The Village of Lake Zurich is a mix of both city and rural living. The Village is an established residential community, which traditionally served as a market center for surrounding rural areas and, earlier in the 20th century, as a popular summer resort. Lake Zurich has developed into a community with above average wealth and housing values, and has seen expanding economic growth that has come from the Chicago metropolitan area.
The History of Lake Zurich -
The village of Lake Zurich was incorporated on September 19th, 1896. It was primarily a farming community, although the village was connected to the railroad in 1910, which closed ten years later. However, the arrival of the highway system with Rand Road, US Route 12 in 1922 and Half Day Road, Illinois Route 22 in 1927 established Lake Zurich as a convenient summer resort. The now defunct Palatine, Lake Zurich and Wauconda Railroad also served the community. The village has just recently broken ground on new townhouse complexes and started paving on the Illinois Route 22-U.S Route 12 bypass as of May 8 2006.
Census Report 2000
Population
Median Household Income
Median Family Income
18,104
$84,125
$89,874
Education in Lake Zurich -
Lake Zurich is served by the Community Unit School District. There are six elementary schools, two middle schools, one high school and two private schools.
Charles Quentin Elementary
Seth Paine Elementary
Lake Zurich High
Isaac Fox Elementary
Spencer Loomis Elementary
St. Francis de Sales
May Whitney Elementary
Lake Zurich North Middle
St. Matthews
Sarah Adams Elementary
Lake Zurich South Middle
Redevelopment Plans -
On May 4th, 2006 the Village of Lake Zurich broke ground for the downtown redevelopment. This is where the new Somerset town-homes will be located, just north of Main Street. The Somerset will have 39 luxury, town-homes story town-homes with views of the lake.
Photos courtesy of Wikipedia
Parks & Recreation -
With the on going care and maintenance of over 227 acres, 30 park acres and four recreational building make the Village of Lake Zurich park system on the the finest around. The parks are a mixture of natural areas, neighborhood parks, athletic fields, pedestrian walkways and paths. Most all the parks have playgrounds, but yet the parks are still diverse enough to provide for the needs of all ages.
The crown jewel in the Village of Lake Zurich park system is Paulus Park. Located on Rand Rd, the park covers 41 acres that gives users access to beautiful Lake Zurich. The park has many amenities which include; a walking pathpier fishing pier, playground, picnic shelters, skate park, a beautiful sandy beach, sand volleyball court, concession stand, a sledding hill, and tons of open space. Paulus Park is also home to "Kid's Kingdom", an expansive playground that was built without taxpayer money. The community got together and raised $100,000 to buy the materials and over 600 volunteers constructed it.
Cuba Marsh Forest Preserve, at Ela and Cuba Roads, is just southeast of Lake Zurich and is a nature lover's paradise. The two miles of Forest Preserve trails that weave their way through the Marsh are a favorite attraction for those who like to bike, hike, jog, or walk in a pristine area. The Lakewood Forest Preserve, just north of Lake Zurich, is also a year round facility that is especially favored by horseback riders.
The Lake Zurich Area also has many community organizations that are for the youth: baseball, football, soccer, hockey and running programs. These organizations organizations the Lake Zurich Youth Baseball Association, Lake Zurich Soccer, Lake Zurich Flames Junior Football, the Lake Zurich Bears Hockey Club and the Alpine Runners.
Residents of Lake Zurich area are never at a loss for something to do. The metropolitan area is home to professional baseball, basketball, hockey, football, soccer, and horse racing. The region also boasts its world-famous symphony orchestra, ballet, theaters, museums, art galleries and architecture.
Lake Zurich has a flourishing arts and entertainment community in its own backyard. The festivals, concerts, special events and exhibits showcase local and regional talent the performing arts.
The various park and recreation departments sponsor many summer events at their local parks. Beginning with Memorial Day, the villages sponsor summer concerts, Fourth of July activities, a fold fest, a Chili Cook-off and several local and regional craft shows. For those who like to swim, run and bike, there is an annual triathlon.
A major cultural center for the Lake Zurich area is the Ela Area Public LibraryDistrict, located just south of downtown Lake Zurich. This 71,000 sq. foot two-story building has three outdoor reading patios, two computer labs, a drive-up window, and state-of-the-art community meeting rooms. As a part of the North Surban Library System, patron have access to more than 2.5 million item owned by other Illinois libraries via EAPLD's regional computer network. In 2005 the Ela Area Public Librarywas ranked as one of the ninth best libraries of its size in the country by Hennen's American Public Library Rankings.
