Reminders When Using Preserve Trails

With four weeks of the state's stay-at-home order under our belts, Lake County Forest Preserves Ranger Police continue to closely monitor preserves and trails to ensure safety rules, social distancing and other public health guidelines are being followed. “In general, things are going relatively well in the forest preserves; therefore, we have been able to keep them open,” said Executive Director Ty Kovach. “We would like to thank preserve visitors for helping with this effort, as the vast majority are adhering to courtesy and safety rules," Kovach said. "It is important that visitors continue following these practices while using preserve trails." 
 
Additional signs placed at trailheads remind preserve visitors to do their part and abide by rules put in place for safety reasons to prevent the spread of COVID-19. “It is our intent to keep preserves and trails open if at all possible, but it is critical that visitors help keep the preserves clean, be courteous to other trail users, and continue to follow social distancing rules,” Kovach said. However, if any specific location is no longer maintainable due to visitors not being compliant with Forest Preserve and CDC rules and guidelines, those preserves will be closed.

• When arriving, if you see the parking lot is full use our interactive trail map to find another nearby preserve. 
• When in the parking lot, wait until the area near your car is clear of other nearby people before exiting or entering your car. 
• Follow social distancing rules at all times by staying 6 feet apart. 
• When on the trails, groups of two or more must break into single file and move to the right shoulder when approaching or passing others to allow for maximum physical distance. 
• Where dogs are allowed, keep them leashed and on trails at all times, and pick up after them. Do not leave pet waste on trails or in parking lots.

"We also continue to urge trail users to follow minimum impact practices when visiting forest preserves. This means that whatever you bring into the preserve, you take back out with you,” Kovach said. “Pack it in, pack it out, and leave no trace. Take all trash with you and dispose of it at home,” he said. “We are working hard to keep the preserves safe, clean and open for you. Visitors can help in this effort by using forest preserve trash cans as little as possible. Thank you to the many visitors whose careful and courteous use of preserves and trails is helping immeasurably in keeping them open for public enjoyment,” Kovach said.
      
To date, all public buildings, restrooms, playgrounds, marinas, golf courses, visitor centers, model airplane field, and dog exercise areas are closed. All educational programming has been canceled through the end of May. All picnic shelter and open area reservations and special use permits are canceled and future requests will not be accepted through the month of May. 
 
Preserves are open 6:30 am to sunset. 
 
While the stay-at-home order has forced us to cancel all in-person education programs, our nature and history educators are developing virtual programs and digital resources for at-home learning. Join virtual wildflower walks, become a backyard birder, go on scavenger hunts, take part in citizen science projects, and view items from the Dunn Museum’s collections and archives. Stay tuned for these and other virtual activities being offered soon, or follow along on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram @LCFPD.

Media Contact
Ty Kovach, Executive Director, tkovach@LCFPD.org, 847-968-3338

Photo Requests
Kim Mikus, Communications Specialist, kmikuscroke@LCFPD.org, 847-968-3202

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