Three Forest Preserve Visitor Centers Reopening

WILL COUNTY, IL — Three Forest Preserve District visitor centers will reopen to the public on Saturday, now that Will County's mitigation status has moved to a less restricted level.

According to the preserve, the three visitor centers that will reopen Saturday are Four Rivers Environmental Education Center in Channahon, Isle a la Cache Museum in Romeoville and Plum Creek Nature Center in Crete Township. A 25 percent capacity restriction will be in effect, per Tier 1 guidelines.

Indoor programs will also resume with a maximum of nine attendees. Picnic, camping and non-District event permits will also expand to 50 people, and outdoor programs also will be able to accommodate up to 50 people, according to the preserve. Indoor rentals for the Grand Hall at Four Rivers will be allowed with a maximum of 25 people.

Face masks are required for indoor and outdoor program participants and visitors to Forest Preserve buildings, except for those younger than 2 years old and those with a medical condition or disability that prevents them from wearing one, per state guidelines.

All Forest Preserve District visitor centers were closed in November as part of the state’s Tier 3 COVID-19 mitigation efforts, the preserve said in a release. Sugar Creek Administration Center in Joliet reopened Jan. 4, and dog parks, preserves, trails, campgrounds and latrines have remained open.

Forest Preserve employees have continued to work on-site or remotely during the pandemic, and phones have been staffed throughout this time period, the preserve said.