Forest Preserve District of Will County 2012 picnic shelter and picnic grove permits will become available on Tuesday, January 3. Permits must be purchased in-person at the Sugar Creek Administration Center, in Joliet; Isle a la Cache Museum, in Romeoville; or Monee Reservoir, in Monee.
More than 30 shelters and groves are available around Will County, with permit capacities ranging from 9 to 200 people. Picnic permits reserve the shelter or grove for the entire day.
Rental fees have increased for 2012 rentals. For picnic shelters under 200 in capacity, the rental fee is $60 for Will County residents and $120 for out-of-county residents. For picnic shelters with electricity, the fee is $70 for in-county residents and $140 for non-residents. Currently, only one shelter has a capacity of 200, Bluegill Hill at Monee Reservoir. The fee for this shelter is $100 for Will County residents and $200 for non-residents. The Forest Preserve will be adding more large-capacity shelters in the future.
At the Four Rivers Environmental Education Center in Channahon is a large-capacity shelter with electricity. This shelter has a fee of $300 for Will County residents and $600 for out-of-county residents. To reserve this shelter, call 815.722.9470.
Picnic shelters at Goodenow Grove, in Beecher, and Messenger Woods Nature Preserve, in Homer Glen, are not available for rental due to site improvements underway at the preserves.
Picnic areas are a popular feature at Will County forest preserves. Family and group gatherings enjoy the out-of-doors surrounded by a peaceful, natural setting. All picnic areas come with tables and grills, and preserve amenities include hiking trails, fishing, boating, and open play fields.
The Sugar Creek Administration Center, located at 17540 W. Laraway Road, between Route 52 and Route 53 in Joliet, will open at 8:00 a.m. on January 3.
Monee Reservoir, located at 27341 Ridgeland Avenue, west of Route 50 and south of Pauling Road, 2 miles south of Monee, will also open at 8:00 a.m. on January 3.
Isle a la Cache Museum, 501 East Romeo Road (135th Street), 0.5 mile east of Route 53 in Romeoville, will open at 10:00 a.m. on January 3.
For information, call 815.727.8700 or visit the picnicking page.
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