Forest Preserve Closes Boat Launches, Bait Shops On Nov. 1

WILL COUNTY, IL — In preparation for winter, the Forest Preserve District of Will County will close its boat launches and bait shops and drinking fountains will be turned off.

All boat launches will be closed starting Nov. 1, according to the preserve.

Both the Monee Reservoir Visitor Center concessions area/bait shop, and the Tackle Box bait shop at Hidden Lakes Trout Farm/Hidden Oaks Preserve in Bolingbrook will be closed for the season beginning Nov. 1. The Monee Reservoir Visitor Center will reopen on March 1. The Tackle Box reopens in early April.

Kayak and canoe rentals already ended at Monee Reservoir on Oct. 1, the preserve said. Kayak rentals at Lake Chaminwood Preserve will cease rentals on Nov. 1.

The lower parking lot at McKinley Woods – Frederick's Grove in Channahon and the parking lot at Hidden Lakes Trout Farm in Bolingbrook will both close on Nov. 1 (or after the first snowfall if it occurs sooner). The roads leading to both parking lots have steep inclines, the preserve said.

Drinking fountains will be turned off prior to freezing weather conditions, typically in mid- to late October.

Preserves, trails and dog parks will remain open throughout the winter except for Christmas Day, which is the one day the preserves are closed each year, the preserve said.