A bike repair station will be installed as early as next Spring in the Three Oaks Recreation Area in Crystal Lake, thanks to a $1,600 donation by the Heartland REALTOR® Organization (HRO).

The project is part of a partnership between the HRO Public Relations Committee, the city of Crystal Lake, the Crystal Lake Park District and the McHenry County Division of Transportation, according to Illinois REALTORS® local Governmental Affairs Director Neeley Erickson.

“Biking is a top recreation activity in the area,” says Erickson. “A public work stand and air pump will help bike riders fix their bikes if they encounter a minor problem along the Prairie Trail.”

The repair station includes an air pump and an assortment of bicycle repair tools to help adjust gears, seats or brakes, she said. In addition to the bicycle repair station, a plaque has been purchased and a concrete base needs to be built. HRO’s donation will cover the cost of the station and the plaque.

The HRO Public Relations Committee became involved in the project after Erickson noticed several McHenry County governments were planning to enhance local bike paths. REALTORS® worked with the McHenry County Division of Transportation and the Crystal Lake Park District agreed to handle the installation. Unfortunately, because of the COVID-19 pandemic, non-essential projects have been delayed.

The Heartland REALTOR® Organization is based in Crystal Lake and serves more than 1,000 members. HRO is led by CEO Jim Haisler, President Erin Dierks (Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Starck Real Estate in Woodstock), President-elect Timothy Sebastian (RE/MAX Connections II in Marengo) and Treasurer Karen Conley of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Starck Real Estate in Crystal Lake and Immediate Past President Kelly Simpson (Coldwell Banker The Real Estate Group in McHenry).

Erik Jakubowski (left) and Neeley Erickson

Illinois REALTORS® local Governmental Affairs Director Neeley Erickson (right) met with Crystal Lake Park District Superintendent of Park Services Erik Jakubowski to discuss construction of a bicycle repair station on a local trail.