Coronavirus (COVID-19) Updates

Visiting the Preserves During Phase 4

(Last updated 9/16/20)

9/16: The fall trout season has been canceled in DuPage forest preserves due to COVID-19.

Starting Sept. 1, preserves are open one hour after sunrise to one hour after sunset. 

New Openings:

Most flush restrooms are now open, except at Danada Equestrian Center, Mayslake Peabody Estate and Willowbrook Wildlife Center. Where open, soap and paper towels are provided.

Open locations include:
Fullersburg Woods Nature Education Center
Kline Creek Farm
St. James Farm
Spring Creek Reservoir
Hidden Lake
Springbrook Prairie
Blackwell (north shelter area)
Herrick Lake (east shelter area)

Aug. 1 Opening & Update:

• Greene Valley scenic overlook (weekends only)

Other News to Know 

• Volunteering: Many of our volunteer programs are on hold at this time due to COVID-19. We are still accepting volunteer applications, but they will be held until we can resume training and orientation for new volunteers. Applicants will receive updates as we reopen our volunteer programs.
   
  One program that is currently accepting new volunteers is our “Cleanup Crew” position in Special Services. This is an independent, flexible position where volunteers are given a safety vest, shirt, gloves, litter-picker, and bags to walk the trails and roadsides to pick up litter as their schedule allows.
   
  You can help keep the Forest Preserves of DuPage County clean, enjoy the outdoors and become a DuPage forest preserve volunteer now while you’re waiting for your program of choice to reopen. Stay safe and many thanks for your interest in volunteering with us!

When Using Trails and Open Spaces

The Forest Preserve District actively promotes compliance with the governor’s executive order and encourages visitors to follow these recommendations while visiting DuPage forest preserves:

• Stay home if you're sick or have been near someone who's sick.
• Practice safe social distancing and stay at least 6 feet away from the next person. (Forest preserve limestone trails are 8 to 10 feet wide.) If this is not possible, move to another location.
• Follow all CDC best practices, including wearing cloth face coverings in public settings.
• Make sure other visitors know you're near if they can't see you. (A simple "passing from behind" works.) Stay at least 6 feet away as you pass.
• Don't touch things others might also touch, such as signs, benches or shelters.
• All forest preserve water fountains and water pumps are off, so bring enough water to stay hydrated during your visit.
• Keep dogs on a leash in preserves and on trails.
• Clean up your trash  

All visitors must follow Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) recommended COVID-19 prevention strategies. Forest Preserve District police will monitor attendance, and close preserves if it appears that the public health goals for increased social distancing goals are being compromised due to crowds, or if the State of Illinois orders that further distancing measures be taken.

Consult your local and state ordinances and guidelines for the most up-to-date recommendations on park and trail use.

Other District Services and Facilities

Visitor Services

Visitor Services Center at Forest Preserve District headquarters in Wheaton is open to the public 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. Monday – Friday to handle permit requests, registrations and all other inquiries. 

Such requests can also be handled: 

• Online at dupageforest.org
• By phone during regular business hours at 630-933-7248
• By email at permits@dupageforest.org

Danada Equestrian Center

The grounds and surrounding forest preserve around Danada Equestrian Center are open. The Danada barn and buildings remain closed until further notice. Visitors should refrain from touching or feeding the animals.   

Fall Festival at Danada

The Forest Preserve District has canceled this year’s Fall Festival at Danada, originally planned for Oct. 11, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We hope to see you at next year’s event on Oct. 10, 2021!

Fullersburg Woods Nature Education Center

The visitor center is closed. The surrounding forest preserve is open. Graue Mill and Museum will remain closed through the end of 2020. For information on how to purchase their cornmeal, visit the Graue Mill & Museum Facebook page.

Kline Creek Farm

The grounds of Kline Creek Farm and the surrounding Timber Ridge Forest Preserve are open. The visitor center and buildings on the farm remain closed. The grounds of Kline Creek Farm are open Thursday through Monday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The grounds remain closed on Tuesday and Wednesday. The surrounding Timber Ridge Forest Preserve is open daily one hour after sunrise until one hour after sunset.

Mayslake Peabody Estate

The hall is closed. The grounds and surrounding forest preserve are open.

St. James Farm

All buildings, including the indoor riding arena, are closed. The grounds and surrounding forest preserve are open.

Willowbrook Wildlife Center

Willowbrook's visitor center, outdoor exhibit and nature trails, and forest preserve surrounding the center are closed to allow staff to safely provide core animal-care services.

Willowbrook continues to accept wildlife patients 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., but call 630-942-6200 first for no-contact curbside drop-offs. We are limiting the number of spring babies we take in because we are working with minimum staff and volunteers. Check our webpage to see the latest intake limitations if any. 

Blackwell Forest Preserve

The forest preserve and all trails are open.