Gilmer Road Trail Parking Lot Closing

The Lake County Forest Preserves Fort Hill Trail at Lakewood Forest Preserve near Wauconda will be extended under Gilmer Road to connect with 2.5 miles of new trails under construction at the adjacent Ray Lake Forest Preserve. The new trail underpass will provide a safe connection in the future between Lakewood and Ray Lake preserves.

During construction of the trail tunnel, the Gilmer Road trail parking lot will be closed, beginning April 25. It will reopen later in 2011 once safe public access is possible. Traffic on Gilmer Road will be maintained during the construction project.

During construction, visitors may access the Fort Hill Trail by parking at the Lakewood Winter Sports Area on the east side of Fairfield Road and south of Route 176. Hikers and bicyclists can take the Millennium Trail from the parking lot to the intersection of Fairfield Road and Route 176, where they can connect with the Fort Hill Trail.

Check the Lake County Forest Preserves Fort Hill Trail web page for project updates. For additional information, please contact the Forest Preserve Planning office at 847-968-6610.