Forest Preserve Visitor Centers, More To Open Starting Friday

WILL COUNTY, IL — The Forest Preserve District of Will County announced in a release Tuesday that latrines and visitor centers will open in the coming days as Illinois enters Phase 4 of the governor's Restore Illinois plan.

Here are the Forest Preserve’s Phase 4 updates:

• The Forest Preserve District will reopen latrines starting Friday on a rolling basis as crews make their rounds in the morning. Latrines do not have running water or soap, so visitors must bring disinfecting wipes and a hand sanitizer.
• Visitor Centers are set to reopen Monday for the Sugar Creek Administration Center and Tuesday for the remaining buildings with capacity limits once plastic partitions are in place at each building's front desk. The partitions are scheduled for installation this week. If there are delays, building openings will be postponed. Visitors will be encouraged to wear masks and use social distancing while inside the buildings. Hand sanitizer will be available.
• The Forest Preserve will begin reopening water fountains and hand pumps over the coming weeks. In the meantime, preserve visitors are encouraged to bring water from home if they are unsure of the status of a fountain or hand pump.
• Online picnic and camping permits will be available starting Friday for groups of 50 or less, the limit for public gatherings set by the state. Reservations can once again be placed in person at visitor centers when they reopen.
• Boat and equipment rentals will begin Tuesday at the Monee Reservoir. Boats and all rental equipment (trolling motors, fishing poles, personal flotation devices and boat cushions) will be cleaned and disinfected after each use. The concessions area reopened June 5 to sell bait, tackle, snacks, fishing licenses and kayak/canoe launch passes, both daily and seasonal.
• Trails and preserves remained open throughout the state’s initial stay-at-home order and subsequent modifications. Parking lots and boat launches reopened May 1 and dog parks reopened June 8.
• Programs will be modified to allow for up to 10 participants indoors and 50 outdoors. Indoor spaces will be sanitized before and after each program. Zoom webinars and Facebook Live programs will continue to be offered online.