Grandwood Park is a census-designated place (CDP) in Warren Township, Lake County, Illinois, United States. Per the 2020 census, the population was 5,297.
History
Before the Industrial Revolution had made its way to the western Great Lakes, the land remained in the hands of the Potawatomi until the 1833 Treaty of Chicago. Small farm families dotted the land for several decades until 1873, of which a train station was built along the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad in the n eighboring village (once an unincorporated area) of Gurnee. This over time caused an increase in the local population.
One of the earliest accounts of an individual living in the immediate community was a farmer in 1941. This farmer is credited for constructing a dam that barred Mill Creek and consequently formed Grandwood Lake that same year.
Development of the area began in the early 1960s and it started to receive fire and police support from Gurnee. The Grandwood Park Civic Association was established in 1962.
The Grandwood Park Park District was established in 1965. It acts as a municipal governing agency providing parks, recreation facilities, and events/programs for residents.
Des Plaines River Flood of 2017
After heavy rains in Grandwood Park and surrounding areas of Warren Township, in July, 2017, the dam barring Mill Creek to Grandwood Lake partially failed.
It was decided that same season that a new dam would ultimately be necessary. It would have to wait until 2019 when the lake was drained and a new concrete and steel dam was built. Original estimates for the project were between $900,000 and $1.7 million. The official number was never released. During a Board of Commissioners session on February 8, 2023, it was proposed that an electric light should be added to Lake Park in order to illuminate the dam. The estimated cost is $2,150.
Post - 2020
In 2020 the original bridge built across Mill Creek along North Hutchins Road in 1969, along with the culvert, were dismantled and rebuilt. Traffic was rerouted for nearly four months until the bridge was comepleted on June 18. The estimate price of the project was $1.46 million.
Geography
The community is in north-central Lake County, in the northwestern part of Warren Township. It is bordered to the north by the village of Old Mill Creek, to the west by Lindenhurst, and to the south and east by Gurnee. U.S. Route 45 runs along the west side of the CDP, leading south to Mundelein and north to Bristol, Wisconsin. Illinois Route 132 forms the southern boundary of the CDP; it leads east to Gurnee and northwest to Lindenhurst. Exit 8 on Interstate 94 is east of Grandwood Park on Route 132, north of downtown Chicago.
According to the 2021 census gazetteer files, Grandwood Park has a total area of , of which (or 98.64%) is land and (or 1.36%) is water. Grandwood Lake is a small impoundment on Mill Creek in the center of the community.
Environment
Marine Life
As it is fed by Mill Creek, the shallow waters of Grandwood Lake harbor a variety of different freshwater fish. This includes an abundancy of many types of panfish such as Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Redear Sunfish, Warmouth, and Yellow Perch. Sport fish such as Largemouth Bass and the occasional Northern Pike. In addition to some ray-finned fish such as Yellow Bullhead and Grass Carp.
Although it is not officially stated, it is suggested that Smallmouth Bass, Rock Bass, Common Chub, as well as Black Crappie and White Crappie can be found in the lake. No Walleye or Muskellunge have been reported.
Bird Life
The small marsh-like environment surrounding Grandwood Lake is home to variety of song and water birds. The trees along the edge of the lake are often frequented by the American Robin, the House Sparrow, and a large number of woodpecker species such as the Downy woodpecker. The Red-Winged Blackbird can also be seen perching in patches of bulrush at the lake's edge.
During the mating season some large water birds can be seen feeding from the lake. Which can include but is not limited to the Snowy Egret, the Great Blue Heron, and the Green Heron.
Canada Geese can be found in Grandwood Park and surrounding areas year round.