Indian Trail Beach Opens, Hundreds Visit

At 15 months old, Jayden Abbott has never been to the beach.

But that did not keep the Lake in the Hills toddler from venturing into the cool waters of Woods Creek Lake on Saturday as temperatures approached 90 degrees.

"He's loving this," said Kelly Abbott, Jayden's mom. "This is his first trip to the beach."

Indian Trail Beach, 228 Indian Trail, opened for the season Saturday to scorching temperatures and sunny skies. Hundreds of people visited the beach, some to picnic, others to swim and scores to participate in the free treasure hunt hosted by the Lake in the Hills Parks and Recreation Department.

Nicole Stecker, of Gilberts, brought her 3-year-old twin daughters, Lea and Eve, to the beach. The girls played in the sand and searched for rocks in the water. Stecker said she makes the 10-minute trip because she has friends in LITH and likes the Indian Trail Beach facility.

"This is the perfect size," Stecker said. "It's easy to keep tabs on the girls. I have tons of friends in LITH, and we like to meet them here."

Andrew Gemmell, LITH’s superintendent of recreation, estimated about 100 children participated in the second-ever treasure hunt, open to children ages 1 to 12 years old.

Gemmell led the kids on a "hunt" across the beach, counting 20 paces straight ahead, then to the left, and so on until the group reached the sand where the treasures had been buried. 

Once there, it was every pirate for him- or herself as the children dug for colored necklaces, rings and little toys. Most kids seemed satisfied with their "treasure."

To see more pictures from Saturday's beach opening at Indian Trail Beach, visit our photo gallery.