Lake Opeka facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lake Opeka |
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Location | Des Plaines, Illinois |
Coordinates | 42°00′46″N 87°53′48″W / 42.0127°N 87.8966°W |
Basin countries | United States |
Surface area | 40 acres (16 ha) |
Lake Opeka is a pretty lake located in Des Plaines, Illinois. It's not huge, covering about 40 acres, which is like 30 football fields! This lake is a popular spot for outdoor fun and activities for people of all ages.
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Fun Things to Do at Lake Opeka
Lake Opeka is surrounded by Lake Park, a large area of about 60 acres. This park offers many ways to enjoy the outdoors.
Sports and Games
If you love sports, Lake Opeka has a lot to offer:
- On the west side of the lake, there's an 18-hole golf course where you can practice your swing.
- You can find jogging paths on the east side, perfect for a run or a walk.
- The southern end of the lake has a sand pit for playing volleyball.
Relaxing and Picnics
The park around Lake Opeka is also great for relaxing:
- There are picnic tables and grills where you can have a meal with family and friends.
- A band shelter is available for events or just to relax under.
- Kids can have a blast at the playground.
- You'll also find exercise stations if you want to get a quick workout in.
Water Activities
The lake itself is perfect for water fun:
- You can go fishing and try to catch bass, bluegill, or even a northern pike.
- Small sailboats and paddleboats are often seen on the water, enjoying the calm lake.
Wildlife Around the Lake
Lake Opeka is home to various animals. You'll often see many ducks swimming around. If you look closely, you might spot large carp or even a turtle enjoying the water.
Keeping the Lake Healthy
To make sure Lake Opeka stays a great place for fish and other water creatures, people work to keep it clean. Sometimes, too many plants grow in the water. These plants can use up the oxygen that fish need to breathe when they start to break down. So, efforts are made to remove extra plants and algae to keep the lake healthy and full of life.