MATTOON, Ill. (WCIA) — A popular summer spot in Coles County was closed for almost three weeks because of a toxic algae bloom. Now, it’s back open and community members took the chance to go boating, fishing and even wakeboarding.

On Sunday, boats were coming and going all afternoon on Lake Mattoon. It’s a spot that means so much to so many, and now that the lake is open again, a sense of normalcy has returned.

“It’s good to see people out here on the boats, enjoying themselves, fishing, and enjoying the day. It’s wonderful weather out here, the lake is looking good, and everybody’s happy,” Chris Iandolo, a boater at the lake on Sunday, said.

The city said it has been a slow restart. Even though the lake is open, some people are still nervous about what was in the water.

“I don’t know if I trust the water yet, to be quite honest,” Wesley Paul, Lake Mattoon visitor, said.

However, this was not the case for everyone. Iandolo said that algae bloom outbreaks aren’t all that uncommon.

“It happens everywhere, from Northern Wisconsin to Kentucky and everywhere. I mean, we had a horrible heat wave,” Iandolo said.

Paul works at a car wash, and said he was washing cars through the “do not drink” order. Now that the lake is open there’s nothing that could keep him away.

“I love the water a lot, just being out here is nice,” Paul said.

And Iandolo is happy the lake is open again.

“It’s a beautiful lake, it’s a beautiful area,” Iandolo said.

The beach at Lake Mattoon also opened again. However, the city still advised people to swim at their own risk.