Picnic Permit Information: Obtaining Permits Online

Picnic permits for 2009 will go on sale on Monday, January 4, 2010, beginning at 8 a.m. and continue until all permit seekers have been served. As of Tuesday, January 5, 2009, the normal hours of Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. until 4 p.m., will resume.

Online Permit Checklist

Before linking over to order your permit online, please review the checklist below to verify that you have everything needed to complete your order. If you are a NOT FOR PROFIT organization and are seeking a fee discount, DO NOT GO ANY FURTHER! You MUST process your request at the Forest Preserve District of Cook County's General Headquarters, 536 North Harlem Avenue, River Forest, Illinois, 60305. For details regarding non-profit discounts, click here.

Checklist:

• My picnic has between 25 and 350 attendees.
  (If your picnic has more attendees, you will need to obtain your permit in person.)
• My organization has obtained less than two picnic permits this calendar year.
  
• I am designated chairperson for the event and am over 21 years of age.
• I have a driver's license or state ID ready for reference.
• I have a valid credit card (Visa or MasterCard) ready for reference.
• I have a printer available to print my application or application information (required).
• I have a picnic grove(s) selected where I would like to have my picnic.
  (If you have not selected a grove, please visit the Grove Maps page and view/download maps to select a grove.)
• I have a date (or selection of dates) when I would like to have my picnic.
  (Dates must be five business days prior to the event date for groups of 25-99 and 21 days for groups 100-399. See details on Permit Categories for more information.)

CLICK HERE TO LINK TO
THE ONLINE PERMIT RESERVATION SYSTEM

Online Permit Hints and Frequently Asked Questions

The following may provide extra help when obtaining a permit online:

Will I actually get my permit online?

For Category W permits (for groups of 25-99), you will be able to print a copy of your permit online. For Category X permits (for groups of 100-350), you can reserve and pay for your permit online and your permit will be mailed to the permit contact after review by the Forest Preserve District.

When do I need a Special Use Permit?

Special use permits are required (in addition to your picnic permit), when you wish to have items such as a beer truck, kiddie rides, caterer, canopy tent, amplified sound or other similar items at your picnic. Currently you cannot apply for Special Use Permits online, you will need to apply in person, by mail or by fax.

Click here for more information about Special Use Permits.

I purchased my permit online, but I need to make changes. Can I do this online?

No. The online permit process will only allow you to get your permit online. If you need to make any changes afterwards (grove, date, number of people, cancel) you will need to do that in person. Also note that there will be a $5.00 fee for changes and grove cancellations are not reimbursed. For categories "W" and "X," changes must be made 14 business days prior to your event/picnic date. Categories "Y" and "Z," changes must be made 30 business days prior to your picnic/event date.

What groves are alcohol free?

A set of groves have been designated “Alcohol Free” You can find this list in the Alcohol Free Groves section of the main Picnic Permit page.

Click to return to the Picnic Permits page.