The Galena Territory is a census-designated place in Jo Daviess County, Illinois, United States. Its population was 1,058 as of the 2010 census. The community consists of a private 6,800-acre (28 km2) development located several miles southeast of downtown Galena. The Territory, which is managed by a homeowners association, has set aside 1,500 acres (6.1 km2) of protected recreational land. The remainder is filled with low-density residential development and Eagle Ridge Resort & Spa. As of Aug. 27, 2017, there were 4,082 property owners. As of Aug. 27, 2017, there are 554 permanent residences with 1,675 vacation residences.
Video The Galena Territory, Illinois
Amenities
Owners' Club Complex
The Owners' Club overlooks a wide valley in the heart of The Galena Territory and houses recreational facilities for year-round enjoyment for property owners and their guests.
The Pool/Recreation Complex includes a state-of-the-art Fitness Center with exercise machines and weights, locker rooms with a "dry" side for Fitness Center visitors and a "wet" side for pool visitors, an enhanced Owners' Club Café with indoor and outdoor patio seating and of course, three pools! The outdoor activity pool has a double slide and in-pool seating area; the zero-entry wading pool has bubblers and a frog slide for kids to enjoy. The indoor pool is open for swimming year-round and includes a basketball hoop. The outdoor activity and indoor pools are both ADA compliant with access ramps.
Property owners can rent the Owners' Club Lounge and Social Halls for birthdays, family and holiday parties, corporate meetings, weddings and anniversaries. Both come with full-service kitchens.
To round out your recreation options, the Owners' Club has an Arts & Crafts Room, Game Room and video arcade. The Game Room features standards such as pool, foosball and ping pong tables.
The Business Center offers three computer stations. There is also a computer bar located outside the Business Center, plus the entire complex offers free wireless internet connectivity.
Outside you'll find two tennis courts, a basketball court, small playground and ample parking. There's also of plenty open lawn in front of the Owners' Club for picnics, admiring the wildflowers or flying a kite.
Access requirements
GTA Security patrols the facility and everyone needs a GTA proximity card or GTA daily guest pass to gain access. (No proximity card or guest pass is required for children age 5 and under.) Cars require a parking decal or guest parking pass.
Lake Galena & Marina
One of The Galena Territory's most cherished amenities is Lake Galena, a scenic 225-acre man-made lake perfect for anglers and boaters who enjoy observing nature on leisurely cruises. It boasts some of the best fishing in the area, with an abundance of smallmouth and largemouth bass, walleye, bluegill, channel catfish, perch and tiger muskie.
The shoreline is designated Greenspace - land owned collectively by members of The Galena Territory Association - that cannot be purchased or developed. To protect the shoreline from erosion and keep the lake quiet, peaceful and attractive to wildlife, the lake is restricted to 10-horsepower motors. There is no swimming or water skiing.
Two other special locations on Lake Galena are North Cove and Thunder Bay Falls Park. North Cove includes a picnic area, a small pavilion and barbecue grills. Thunder Bay Falls Park is located opposite Lake Galena's spillway and dam. Hiking trails are available and fishing is allowed in the stream below the spillway. Two paths traverse the top and the base of the 17-foot-tall by 400-foot-long limestone retaining wall that leads to a popular observation point for a view of Lake Galena's spillway.
The Galena Territory Association's Marina is located on Marina Drive and offers boat rentals and sells fuel and fishing licenses. The Marina features a well-stocked Bait & Tackle Shop for fishermen in need of live bait, extra lures, bobbers or perhaps a new rod and reel, and also sells pop, bottled water, chips, snacks and ice cream. The shop is open April through October.
Adjacent to the GTA Marina is an area for shoreline fishing, an ADA-compliant fishing pier and a Marina Park Complex.
Boats available for rent include pontoons, fishing boats and single and tandem kayaks. Reservations are suggested for pontoon boats and a deposit is required. All other watercraft are available on a first-come, first-served basis. The GTA rents in-water docks, dry storage spots and canoe racks for property owners. Only boats owned by property owners are allowed on Lake Galena.
On the shoreline of Lake Galena, next to the Marina, you'll find a number of recreational opportunities for family members of all ages to enjoy including a playground, picnic area, fish-cleaning shed as well three pickleball courts, a tennis court and volleyball courts. Other seasonal recreation opportunities include a badminton net and two horseshoe pits.
A large screened pavilion with a covered grill area is available for private parties. A lounge above the Bait & Tackle Shop is also available for rent.
Greenspace & Trails
The Galena Territory and Jo Daviess County are found in a unique geographical region called the Driftless Area, referring to the ridges and valleys glaciers of Pleistocene Epoch avoided. The driftless phenomenon makes the region one of the most unique areas in the state, harboring rare plant and bird species found nowhere else in Illinois!
One unique amenity within The Galena Territory is "Greenspace," common property, owned and maintained on behalf of the property owners by The Galena Territory Association. The private trails are open only to property owners, their guests and guests of Eagle Ridge Resort & Spa.
The Galena Territory has more than 1,900 acres of Greenspace, maintained as habitat and protected from future development. The Greenspace includes: Lake Galena and the Marina Park Complex, more than 26 miles of GTA trails, the Owners' Club Complex, the Shenandoah Riding Center and several park areas. It is home to many hundreds of species of plants, fungi and animals.
There are more than 32 miles of trails within The Galena Territory, owned and maintained by the GTA, Eagle Ridge Resort & Spa and townhouse and condo associations.
The trails traverse our beautiful landscape of hills, ravines, ridge tops, woodlands and meadows, providing encounters with a range of flora and fauna. Bring your binoculars and camera!
Of the trails owned by the GTA, 2.35 miles are paved. The remaining trails are natural and can be rugged in places, occasionally crossing drainage streams where your feet may get wet.
Hiking and horseback riding are two of the most popular pastimes and can be enjoyed year-round. Trails are not groomed for cross-country skiing or snowshoeing, but you are welcome to break your own trail.
Wayfinding signage is located throughout the GTA's trail system. Signs include distances of the trails and distances to amenities. Trail maps are available to enhance your experience and guide your way.
Shenandoah Riding Center
The Shenandoah Riding Center is a first-rate equine facility. Its location in The Galena Territory makes it unrivaled for scenic trails and tranquil beauty. It is the only amenity of The Galena Territory Association open to the public.
Riding a horse through the woods and meadows of The Galena Territory is a great way to experience nature and escape our hectic, high-tech routines. The riding center's guided trail rides are a wonderful way to explore and enjoy a part of The Galena Territory. The riding center offers guided group rides as well private rides upon request.
The riding center offers horseback rides and lessons for everyone from novices to experienced riders, and is also a full-service boarding facility. Private and group riding lessons are available for ages 6 to adult. Lessons are held on weekdays, weeknights and weekends.
The riding center hosts the Shenandoah Pro Rodeo, open to the public, every Independence Day weekend. Winter brings its own magic to the riding center and rolling countryside. People can enjoy the snow and enchanting landscape while taking a relaxing ride in a horse-drawn sleigh.
Maps The Galena Territory, Illinois
Eagle Ridge Resort & Spa
Eagle Ridge Resort & Spa is located lakeside in the center of The Galena Territory. There are 80 rooms in the main lodge, and over 300 private villas. The resort is best known for its 63 holes of championship golf, including "The General", which Golf Digest ranked No. 41 in the 2007-2008 "America's 100 Greatest Public Golf Courses."
Restaurants
There are six restaurants in the resort area. They include:
- Woodlands Restaurant & Lounge - Main Lodge - Formal & Casual Dining
- Woodstone Restaurant - Clubhouse of the General Golf Course - Casual Dining
- Paisanos - Main Lodge - Pizza and Ice Cream Parlor
- Eagle Ridge Coffee Shop - Main Lodge - Starbucks Coffee
- North, East & South Golf Clubhouses - Golf Course Clubhouses - Casual Dining
- The General Store Bakery & Deli - Outside the Main Lodge - Groceries & Gasoline
References
Source of article : Wikipedia
0 Comments