About Us

Article by Janet Stoodley in the Daily Herald Newspaper: Fall off the grid this summer—-take your kids with you

The Des Plaines Park District Yacht Club, Inc. is a not-for-profit community sailing organization based at Lake Opeka bounded by Touhy Avenue, Lee Street and Howard Street in Des Plaines, IL.  Since 1962, the club, in conjunction with the Des Plaines Park District has been successful in promoting the sport of sailing in the northwest suburbs of Chicago.  Through our comprehensive schedule, sailing instruction, excellent facilities and social activities our club is strong and active in the sport.  Our focus is to promote sailing for beginners and veterans and youth, increase participation in our fleets and maintain the friendly family atmosphere surrounding our club.

We offer the most easily accessible sailing lake in the Chicago area.  After quick preparation, you can be out on the lake and racing.  No powerboats are allowed except for the park’s rescue boat,  and our pontoon race committee boat.

Being a small lake, the water warms up quickly, allowing a long season from the first weekend in April to the last weekend in October.  Lake Opeka is an ideal place to learn to sail by taking sailing lessons from the Park District.

Club dues and Park District mooring fees are quite reasonable.  Club meetings are held on the 4^th Tuesday of each month at 7:30 PM.  Trophies are awarded at the annual Awards Banquet in November.  Several parties are held throughout the year.

In early June, we hold our annual SAIL-A-SAILBOAT DAY, which is our club’s open house.  It is an opportunity to meet with our members, see the facilities, view the various boats we sail, learn more about our programs and get a free sailboat ride, but feel free to contact us at any time.  We are happy to introduce new people to sailing throughout the year.