Lake County Forest Preserves Urges Single File Walking, Riding

GRAYSLAKE, IL – Officials are urging people to follow social distancing protocols when exercising outdoors at the Lake County Forest Preserves in order to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus. Most importantly, they are asking people to walk and ride single file when passing other people.

"It is essential that family groups of two or more people break into a single file line and move off on the right shoulder of the trail to allow maximum space when approaching or passing others," said Ty Kovach, Lake County Forest Preserves executive director, in a prepared statement.

The preserves and trails will remain open during Illinois' stay at home order, but visitors are urged to maintain 6 feet of distance between themselves and others at all times.

"If safe social distancing rules are not followed, we may be forced to close the trails and preserves immediately," Kovach said.

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In addition to practicing social distancing on the trails, visitors are also urged to wait until the parking lot is clear of nearby people before exiting or entering their cars. Visitors are encouraged to use the preserves' interactive trail map to find another nearby preserve if a parking lot is full.

All public buildings, restrooms, playgrounds, marinas, golf courses, visitor centers and dog exercise areas are closed. All educational programming has been canceled through the end of April. All picnic shelter and open area reservations and special use permits are canceled and future requests will not be accepted through the end of April.

For more information, visit the Lake Forest County Preserves website.