Things to Do/Get Outdoors/Model-Crafts

Model Crafts

If you enjoy navigating model planes or boats, the Forest Preserve District has the perfect area for you. You must have a permit, and senior citizens are entitled to one free annual permit per household per calendar year.

model-craft-area-man-holds-planes

Permits & Fees

Model-craft hobbyists can purchase daily and annual permits online 24/7. For other options, download our model craft permit application (PDF) or call Visitor Services at 630-933-7248.

Senior citizens, active U.S. military personnel and honorably discharged U.S. military veterans are entitled to one free annual permit per household per calendar year.

Proof of insurance is required. Include a copy of your Academy of Model Aeronautics or International Model Power Boat Association membership card or a copy of your homeowner's policy with a letter from your insurance agent stating the policy covers use of a model craft.

Model-Craft Permits

Annual permits are valid January – December. Senior citizens, active U.S. military personnel and honorably discharged U.S. military veterans are entitled to one free annual permit per household per calendar year.

Aircrafts

DuPage resident
$35/year
$7/day

Nonresident
$45/year
$9/day

Boats

DuPage resident
$25/year
$7/day

Nonresident
$35/year
$9/day

Senior citizens who are 65 or older are entitled to one free annual permit per household per calendar year with proof of age (driver's license or birth certificate).

Model-Craft Areas

All areas open daily 9 a.m until sunset except as noted.

Fullerton Park
Grace Street north of North Avenue and south of Fullerton Road
Model helicopters, drones, quadcopters

Please note: Grace Street parking lot closed until March 1

Greene Valley
Scenic overlook off Greene Road south of 79th Street
Saturdays and Sundays May – October 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Nonpowered model gliders or sailplanes (battery-powered assist engines only if needed)

Pratt’s Wayne Woods
Stearns Road
Model planes, helicopters, drones, quadcopters

Springbrook Prairie
Plainfield/Naperville Road south of 75th Street
Model planes, helicopters, drones, quadcopters

Waterfall Glen
Off Lemont Road (Woodland Aero Modelers Club members only)
Model planes, helicopters, drones, quadcopters

Cricket Creek
Riverbend Pond
Model boats

Model-Craft Rules & Regulations

For everyone’s safety and enjoyment, you must follow these rules and regulations, which the Forest Preserve District may change at any time.

Only use designated model crafts in the designated DuPage forest preserve areas. Use is first-come, first-served unless someone obtains exclusive use from the Forest Preserve District via written request.
Carry your permit with you when using a model-craft area, and present it to a Forest Preserve District agent for inspection if requested.
Operate your transmitter only when operating your craft, and double-check to make sure no one’s using the same frequency.
Fit all craft with mufflers, and use mats or platforms when fueling gasoline-powered engines to protect the grass.

For Model Aircraft

Per the Academy of Model Aeronautics, do not fly planes or helicopters over 55 pounds or gliders or sailplanes over 15 pounds.
If you fly a drone with a first-person video system, you must have a spotter.
Affix your current Forest Preserve District permit or pin to the control stand to indicate which radio band you’re using. Turn off any radio bands you’re not using. At Greene Valley, affix a frequency flag to your transmitter antenna and a similar flag of the same color with your name and frequency to your frequency control device.
Carry your aircraft to the runway and do not taxi into or through the pit area.
Control your aircraft from designated flight lines per selected flight patterns, which are posted at each area. Respect fellow operators and their flight patterns regardless of the type of aircraft.
Yield the right-of-way to landing aircraft and to aircraft that have just landed.
Follow all Federal Aviation Administration rules and regulations specific to your type of aircraft.

For Model Boats

Do not operate boats over 25 pounds (including fuel), over 60 inches long (bow to stern) or over 90 dBA.
Affix a frequency flag to your transmitter antenna.
When launching your boat, yield to other boats operating in the designated water pattern or returning to the launch area.
Do not swim or use full-sized boats or rafts to retrieve stalled boats. Affix a rubber ball to the end of a fishing line, cast over the boat to snag it, and reel it to shore. Or with a second person, stretch 50-pound test line across the lake to capture the boat and drag it to shore.

As a permit holder you agree to abide by these rules and regulations as well as all Forest Preserve District ordinances and administrative orders and state statutes. You also understand that the Forest Preserve District may fine you or revoke your permit without refunding your permit fee if you supply false information on your application or fail to comply with any rules, regulations, ordinances, orders or statutes.