Couple Facing $500 Fine for Backyard Ice Rink for 8-Year-Old Son

Gurnee, Ill. - A wintry drama is unfolding in the Village of Gurnee. A couple there built an ice rink in their side yard so their 8-year-old son could skate, and now they're facing a crackdown by Lake County.

The couple claims they aren't breaking any rules, but the county said ice rinks are considered outdoor recreation and entertainment, and are illegal in residential neighborhoods in incorporated Lake County.

The county got involved after it got several complaints from neighbors about the rink, which the county said is 28x48 feet and close to the end of the family's property line.

"Our neighbor to our right, actually, we butt up against her yard. We have a large side yard, no backyard," homeowner Kim Lund said. "She wasn't very thrilled. We actually have a neighbor to our kitty corner from us that said it's an eyesore and they contacted the Lake County building inspector."

Lund said an attorney she consulted said the rink is compliant with the law. She claims a county inspector also once told her the rink was compliant.

The County said its inspector denies ever saying that.

Lund said she'll keep the rink up until the weather gets warm and will put it up again next year.

"I would go to court for this. We're not violating any laws. We have several friends that have ice rinks that are in unincorporated Gurnee that have these rinks. It's really just very frustrating," she said. "Here people are worried about childhood obesity, kids playing in front of video games and watching TV. We have created an outlet for our son in the winter and people are being nasty. It's for an eight-year-old. It's fun."

The county said it checks on alleged violations when they are reported, and said it's received no other complaints about ice rinks.

The county's planning director said he will refer the case to the State's Attorney's office within one week.