Forest Preserve Places Geocache At Messenger Marsh

HOMER GLEN, IL — The Forest Preserve District of Will County has hidden five geocaches in five different preserves, as part of a new geocaching recreational offering that kicked off July 1. One of the geocaches, "Doggie Dog World," is hidden at Messenger Marsh preserve in Homer Glen, according to the preserve.

The geocaches have been placed less than one-quarter mile off trails in the brush at these four other locations:

• Rock Run Fun at Rock Run Preserve – Black Road Access
• Super Duper View at Hammel Woods – Crumby Recreation Area
• Hickory Hideaway at Hickory Creek Preserve – LaPorte Road Access
• Fork-sythe at Forked Creek Preserve – Forsythe Woods

Geocaching has been allowed at select preserve locations in the past by outside groups and individuals who first obtained permits, the preserve said.

“But this is the first time the Forest Preserve is sponsoring its own caches for the public on a regular basis,” said Jen Guest, the Forest Preserve’s recreation coordinator.

To take part in this activity, visit www.geocaching.com to download an app to your smartphone that will help you find the District-sponsored geocaches as well as those placed by others, the preserve said.

“The app will give you clues and guide you using the GPS in the app to within a small radius of the geocache location,” Guest explained. “Then it’s your job to look close to find the caches.”

“Our geocaches are great for beginners who are just starting this sport,” Guest said in a release. “Especially for people who are looking to enjoy the outdoors in a fun and interactive way.”

Once you find a geocache, check out the SWAG inside. SWAG stands for “stuff we all get,” Guest explained.

"You can also sign the logbook and track all your found caches in the geocaching app. It’s a good idea to bring something to trade with the SWAG inside. You take something and leave something behind for someone else to find. Our caches are pre-stocked with fun items to trade," Guest said in a release.

Depending on the popularity of the program, Guest said the District might add more caches in the future or change the locations.

Forest Preserve staff will maintain the District’s geocaches, the preserve said in a release. If the caches need attention, or you have questions about the program, email permits@fpdwc.org.