Grundy County, Illinois is located just southwest of Chicago. More than 49,000 people call Grundy County home as of 2009. Grundy County is also home to several lakes, and like Chicago, Grundy County opens up those lakes for residents and visitors to enjoy. While some beaches are private, others are open to public swimming and recreation.
Goose Lake and Heidecke Lake are the two main lakes in Grundy County. While parts of Goose Lake contain swimming beaches, Heidecke Lake is strictly used for boating and fishing as well as camping and hiking around the lake. In the summer temperatures at the lakes average around 80 degrees during the day and 60 degrees at night.
Public swimming beaches in Grundy County include Ceko Recreational Association and Rainbow Scout Reserve. Both beaches, located on Goose Lake, are monitored twice per month by the Illinois Department of Public Health to ensure the lakes do not contain harmful bacterial and remain safe for swimming. The 2011 swimming season for Rainbow Scout Reserve and Ceko Recreational Association runs from late May to early September.
Private beaches are operated by organizations such as Coal City Area Club, Goose Lake Association, So Wilmington Firemans Club and Grundy County Rod and Gun Club. These clubs require a membership to use their swimming beaches. These private beaches are also monitored by the Illinois Department of Public Health twice per month to ensure health safety while swimming. The swimming season for these organizations is late May through early September.
Unlike some swimming beaches on lakes, both the public and private beaches in Grundy County are not located in state parks. Therefore, swimmers must use caution while swimming because no lifeguards are present. In addition, it's important to continuously check the Illinois Department of Public Health website to make sure the lakes are safe to swim in. The website also lists any beach warnings and swimming advisories that may be in effect.
