Permits for dog parks, boating go on sale Dec. 3
Sun STaff November 17, 2012 6:32PM
Permits to use the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County’s off-leash dog areas, private boating and model-craft locations go on sale Dec. 3 at the Visitor Services office at district headquarters at 3S580 Naperville Road in Danada Forest Preserve in Wheaton.
Visitor Services processes applications weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Individuals must apply in person and must present proof of residency for DuPage County resident rates. Current permit holders may submit their renewal notices by mail, fax or in person. New annual permits will be effective Jan. 1.
Application forms and permit information is in the “Recreation” section of the district’s website, dupageforest.org. To reach Visitor Services by phone, call 630-933-7248.
There are off-leash dog areas at Blackwell in Warrenville, East Branch in Glendale Heights, Greene Valley in Naperville, Mayslake in Oak Brook, Pratt’s Wayne Woods in Wayne and Springbrook Prairie in Naperville. For DuPage County residents, off-leash dog area annual permits are $40 for the first dog and $8 for each additional dog. Nonresident fees are $150 per year and $25 for each additional dog.
Senior citizens (ages 65 and over) and/or active or honorably discharged military veterans are entitled to one free off-leash dog area permit per household.
Privately owned boats may be launched at Silver Lake at Blackwell Forest Preserve in Warrenville, Round Meadow Lake at Hidden Lake Forest Preserve in Downers Grove, and Mallard Lake at Mallard Lake Forest Preserve in Hanover Park. Annual boating permits cost $35 for residents and $45 for nonresidents. State watercraft registration is required. Senior citizens are entitled to one free boating permit.
Model-craft enthusiasts have a number of locations for their activities. Model-aircraft fields are located at Springbrook Prairie Forest Preserve in Naperville and Pratt’s Wayne Woods Forest Preserve in Wayne. Model-helicopter fliers may utilize the field at Fullerton Park Forest Preserve in Addison. Those with model gliders or sailplanes may fly them from the top of the hill at Greene Valley Forest Preserve in Naperville when the hill is open May through October. Model-boat enthusiasts can explore the waters of Riverbend Pond at Cricket Creek Forest Preserve in Addison.
Annual permits for model aircraft cost $35 for residents and $45 for nonresidents; model-boat annual permits cost $25 for residents and $35 for nonresidents. Senior citizens are entitled to one free model-craft permit.
