Lake County Forest Preserves Cancels Events, Closes Several Spots

LAKE COUNTY, IL — The Lake County Forest Preserves has canceled all programs, volunteer workdays, picnic shelter permits and special use permits through Thursday, April 30, in an effort to align with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines regarding the spread of the coronavirus, according to a news release. In addition, all facilities, dog exercise areas, marinas, restrooms and playgrounds are closed until further notice, the news release said.

According to the Lake County Forest Preserves, the preserves will remain open 6:30 a.m. to sunset as long as visitors adhere to the six-foot social distancing rule, as forest preserve staff and police are keeping a close eye on the preserves to make sure people are respecting the social distancing rule while visiting. In addition, there is no regularly scheduled maintenance. Please pack it in, pack it out (dispose of waste property, and reduce the amount).

By following these rules, visitors can help keep the preserves open. The forest preserves added that if and when they see that any specific location is no longer maintainable due to the behavior of visitors, they will close those preserves. At preserves where people are not compliant with Forest Preserve and CDC rules and guidelines, we will be forced to close down.

Don't miss updates about precautions in the Chicago area as they are announced. Sign up for Patch news alerts and newsletters.

April shelter rentals will be refunded, and reservation dates can be rescheduled, the Lake County Forest Preserves said, adding that this process may be extended in the future, but as of now refunds will only be provided for rentals during this period.

To communicate with the forest preserves staff regarding customer service questions, call 847-367-6640 or visit their Contact Us page.

Related:

• Illinois Coronavirus Update April 3: 7,697 Cases, 167 Deaths
• Cook County Forest Preserves Cancels Events, Closes Several Spots

"We intend to keep most of the preserves and trails open during the state’s stay-at-home order, but that could change quickly if visitors don’t abide by safe social distancing rules by maintaining a six-foot (SIC) separation between people or family groups, and follow CDC recommended COVID-19 prevention strategies," the forest preserves said, in the news release.

The forest preserves encourage you to call 847-549-5200 if you spot anything you consider to be dangerous visitor behavior not in conformation to social distancing guidelines.

"Thank you for being respectful of the health of your fellow preserve visitors," officials said. "We will continue to monitor preserve usage for adherence to the social distancing rule."

Stay Connected While Staying Home: Share your comments, concerns and questions with your neighbors on Libertyville Patch through Neighbor Posts.