Three Oaks Recreation Area — Attraction in Crystal Lake

While filling out the paperwork to rent a fishing boat I noticed the time out stamp was it at 12 o’clock it was 11:58 at that moment and I was still filling out the paperwork now the boat is only for two hours and you have to pay extra if you go over two hours. I mentioned this to the young lady , that I only gives me three minutes to get to the boat and then get out on the lake or at least to the boat before the clock starts that’s not enough time is not fair I’m going into my two hours Time limit. She said fine I’ll add 10 minutes and did not seem very happy about doing that there was no one else waiting for Boat we were the only fishing boat on the lake .So it wasn’t like they needed this boat to get back right away so they can rent it out again it was just us with probably 20 bolts empty boats, anyhow I finally get to my boat and go to pull out but the motor doesn’t steer it just goes forward/reverse but you can’t steer it . So I was able to be pulled back in. Luckily I was 5 feet from the docks and the kid that works there pulled us back in and switched the motor to one that would steer , and then on the way back in to return the boat there was was no one to help us get out of the boat safely. The problem here is it’s all young teenagers that runs this place. It’s not worth it to me to keep hoping that this time it’s going to...

If you live in the city and have a current city sticker, parking is free. If not, parking is $5. There are walking trails around a portion of the lake. Several wooden docks with seating, extending onto the water. Great for bird, people, fish watching. Good catch & release fishing spot. The kids always catch something. There is a lot of space to spread out and fish. Several pavilions are for use for free if open or available to rent. Sand volleyball courts inside and outside the beach area. Paddle boats, kayak, sail boats, and small fishing boats available for rent. There is a paddle board shack where you can rent, take lessons, or launch your own paddle board. Beach area open to all residents for free. Can enter without residency for a fee. Beach is really nice with lots of space to stretch out. Covered picnic areas available. Small splash pad & and playground. There is a cafe with food & beverage options with tables and seating. Locker rooms, changing areas, and showers are available. Life jackets are available for free, beach chairs available to rent. There is a shallow portion of the swimming area and a deeper portion with a dock you can swim out to and jump off. Multiple lifeguard stations and the lifeguards rotate in and out constantly.

It is a beautiful park with a lot of different options to have a great day outside...

We normally love to spend a day here. I know that due to the pandemic that adjustments need to be made. Just hope the people running this read this to hopefully smooth out some kinks in what we experienced today. First, everyone needs to know this lake is extremely flooded. The boathouse is flooded, the beach is closed, only kayaks, paddleboards and canoes to rent. Which is fine, but we stood in a long line to rent a canoe, to be told to go to a different line, wait in that one, to be told to go back to the original line we were in. Bathrooms near the boathouse are closed due to flooding, signs say to go use lake house bathrooms, but once there signs say those are closed due to pandemic. You guys really need to organize. It’s pretty frustrating even though I understand this year is a crazy one. If you can’t have bathrooms, say it, don’t leave confusing treasure hunt signs leading people to a dead end. The situation with the line we waited for was something I heard other people talking about too. It wasn’t just a misunderstanding. Pretty frustrating...