Picnicking

Any additional equipment or amenities being brought to a picnic reservation must abide by the conditions outlined. Failure to adhere to these conditions could result in permit revocation, removal from the preserve, and suspension from future use of the Forest Preserve District of Will County property. 

Approved items

• Generators: Limit of 2.
• Extra tables and/or chairs: Must stay in vicinity of the shelter.
• 10x10 tents: Must stay in vicinity of the shelter.
• Portable latrines: Limit of 1. Must be placed in the parking lot without blocking any ADA parking.
• Additional grills or smokers: Any grill or smoker on a trailer must remain in the parking lot.
• Live music not being played through a speaker: Music must not be audible beyond the vicinity of  the shelter.

Inflatables

Any inflatable bounce house being brought to the preserve must be provided by a District Approved Vendor:

• The Fun Ones: 630-495-3200
  257 Commonwealth Drive, Carol Stream, IL 60188
• Channahon General Rental, Inc.: 815-467-0173
  24138 S Municipal Dr., Channahon, IL 60410
• Bounce City Party Rentals, Inc.: 708-829-2652
  14517 Samuel Adams Drive, Plainfield, IL 60544
• Funtime Services: 630-922-6100
  1536 S. Route 59, Naperville, IL 60540
• Kid N’ Play Inflatables: 708-200-5683
  2936 193rd St., Lansing, IL 60438
• Plainfield Party: 815-267-3902
  14730 S Naperville Road, Plainfield, IL 60544
• Happy Bouncers Party Rentals: 815-272-4213
  442 Arnold Avenue, Romeoville, IL 60446
• Just 4 Jumps: 219-779-0411
  3491 East 84th Place, Merrillville, IN 46410 
• TheJumperStore.com: 815-570-9777
  16525 W. 159th St., Lockport, IL 60441

Inflatables must be placed in an open grassy area and are not to interfere with tree limbs or any other structure of the Forest Preserve. Inflatables are allowed at all shelters. Only one per permit. No water inflatables. 

DJs/amplified music 

DJs and amplified music (including live music attached to speakers) are allowed only at the following shelters. Live music not attached to a speaker is allowed at any shelter. 

• Ballou Road Access Shelter – Forked Creek Preserve – Wilmington 
• Crumby Recreation Shelter – Hammel Woods Preserve – Shorewood 
• Forsythe Creek Shelter – Forked Creek Preserve – Wilmington 
• Gougar Road Access Shelter – Hadley Valley Preserve – Joliet 
• I&M Canal Access Shelter – Lower Rock Run – Joliet 
• Kankakee Sands Shelter – Kankakee Sands – Braidwood 
• Roy Hassert Grove Shelter – Veteran’s Woods – Romeoville 
• Trader’s Corner – Veteran’s Woods – Romeoville  

Food/beverage trucks 

Food/beverage trucks are allowed at all shelters. Only one truck per permit. The truck must be parked in the parking lot without blocking any accessible parking spots. The sale of alcohol is prohibited. 

District approved vendors have provided insurance and health department documents to the District. Those vendors are: 

• Lil Deb’s Mobile
  401 S Larkin Ave., Joliet, IL 60436 
  Phone: 815-955-6781 | www.lildebsexpresseats.com 
• Tacos Maui 
  1913 S Chicago St., Unit E, Joliet, IL 60436
  Phone: 815-919-9792 | [email protected] | www.tacozmaui.com 
• MiaBella’s Wood Fired Pizza and Catering 
  417 Jeanette St., Herscher, IL 60941 
  Phone: 815-435-5009 | [email protected] | www.miabellascatering.com 
• Rogue Farm to Curbside Kitchen 
  24032 Lockport St., Plainfield, IL 
  Phone: 815-436-8997 or 708-250-9860 | [email protected] | www.rogueck.com 
• Life’s a Slice 
  Phone: 708-306-6101 | [email protected] | www.facebook.com/Lifesaslice 
• Smokin' Z BBQ 
  Phone: 815-919-6142 | [email protected] | www.smokinzbbq.com 
• Grumpy Gaucho 
  214 N. River St., Montgomery, IL 60538 
  Phone: 630-447-9250 | [email protected] | www.grumpygaucho.com 

If a permittee would like to use a food/beverage truck vendor not found on the list, the permit holder must submit a certificate of insurance from the food/beverage vendor verifying comprehensive general liability insurance in effect as of the date of the event indemnifying the District in limits not less than $1,000,000.00, combined single limit. The certificate of insurance must specifically name the Forest Preserve District of Will County (17540 W. Laraway Rd. Joliet, IL 60433) as an "Additional Insured." Certificate should be sent to [email protected] no later than 2 business days prior to the party. 

Prohibited items 

• Water slides, water inflatables, and water balloons 
• Dunk tanks 
• Tents larger than 20x20 
• Live animal entertainment 
• Mechanical bulls 
• Climbing walls 
• Alcoholic beverage sales (alcohol can be served but not sold). 

For more information about adding additional amenities to a permit, please call 815-722-5894.