Picnic Permit Rules and Regulations

1. This permit is valid for the picnic/event of the applicant/organization named on the front. Attendance must not exceed the amount listed on this permit. This permit is not transferable, assignable, or refundable. Any attempted transference or attendance violation will void the permit and subject the applicant to subsequent fines, penalties and loss of fees. A maximum of two picnic/event permits per year, per applicant/organization is allowed.

2. Falsification of information or violation of any rules, regulations or ordinances of the Forest Preserve District Picnic Policies and Procedures will result in the denial and/or revocation of this picnic permit, forfeiture of all fees and security deposits and/or the closing of your event and the denial of future permits for you and your organization.

3. The Forest Preserve District of Cook County is not responsible for picnics/events canceled due to inclement weather.

4. The Forest Preserve District of Cook County is CLOSED to all visitors at SUNSET. Night picnics are not permitted.

5. The Forest Preserve District of Cook County cannot guarantee the availability of tables, potable water, shelters, port-o-lets or other amenities not naturally found in the preserve. The District will make every effort to provide a minimum of one port-o-let per preserve (NOT GROVE). It is recommended that the permit holder secure/rent additional port-o-lets as needed.

6. Advertising to the public is prohibited without District approval.

7. The sale of alcoholic beverages in any form is prohibited. Glass beverage containers are not permitted on Forest Preserve District property. Please note that the consumption of alcohol upon or within 50 feet of any roadway, parking area or entranceway is prohibited.

8. Before leaving, you must extinguish all grill fires and dump your charcoal in the used hot charcoal disposal containers provided. Collect all your paper debris, bottles and trash and deposit them in the appropriate containers/bags. Please use the five (5) bio-degradable recycling bags that are given to you, to dispose of recyclable material and deliver them to the nearest drop off recyclable location (recycling and location drop off information is provided to you at the time of permit purchase). For permit purchases made online, please call the Division Superintendent listed on the front of this permit the Monday prior to your picnic/event to make arrangements for pickup of recycling bags.

9. Fires are not allowed within District shelters.

10. Any pre-picnic/event or day of your picnic/event assistance or general information may be obtained by contacting the Division Superintendent’s office designated on the front side of this permit.

11. Please call 911 to settle disputes and/or discrepancies at the picnic site should they occur.

12. No admission or parking fees or charges may be levied.

13. It is agreed that your organization will not exclude any person from participation in, deny any person the benefits of, or otherwise subject any person to discrimination because of the person’s race, color or national origin during the use of Forest Preserve District facilities. Please be aware that some activities, when conducted on Forest Preserve District property, do require a SPECIAL PERMIT.

14. Special Use Permits include but are not limited to: tents, beer trucks, inflatables, dunk tanks, pony rides/petting zoo, on-site caterers, kiddie rides, generators, port-o-lets/port-o-sinks, amplified equipment, etc. Hours of operation for items listed on the Special Use Permit are 10am – 6pm. You must complete all Special Use Permit requirements (application, copy of picnic permit, insurance, contracts and fee) either in person, by fax or mail, by times stated below:
    
    - Category "W" .......... Five days prior to your picnic/event date
    
    - Category "X" .......... 14 days prior to your picnic/event date
    
    - Category "Y" .......... To be determined at time of application.
    
    - Category "Z" .......... To be determined at time of application.

15. Special Activity “Field” Permits include but are not limited to: soccer, baseball, football, volleyball, rugby multiple day practices or games. Fields are not reserved with a picnic permit.

16. Special Activity “Event” Permits include but are not limited to: bike a thon, walk a thon, 5k/10k run, fishing derby and one day sport events. All Special Activity Permits must be completed 21 business days prior to the first day of your event. All requirements (application, insurance and fee) must be complete at the time of your request, either in person, by fax or mail. No incomplete requests will be accepted. PLEASE NO EXCEPTIONS!

17. All Special Activity Permits must be completed 21 business days prior to the first day of your event. All requirements (application, insurance and fee) must be complete at the time of your request, either in person, by fax or mail. No incomplete requests will be accepted. PLEASE NO EXCEPTIONS!

18. All security deposits for picnics/events and special use permits must be given by credit card only (Visa or MasterCard). The credit card will be refunded in the billing period following your picnic/event.

19. Picnic Permit change requests can be made within the application time frames indicated below for each respective picnic:
    
    - Category "W" .......... 14 business days prior to your picnic/event date
    
    - Category "X" .......... 14 business days prior to your picnic/event date
    
    - Category "Y" .......... 30 business days prior to your picnic/event date
    
    - Category "Z" .......... 30 business days prior to your picnic/event date
    

    Permit changes must be made in person at the Forest Preserve District Headquarters, 536 N. Harlem Avenue, River Forest, IL 60305. The PICNIC PERMIT CHAIRPERSON must make all requests. Please Bring Your identification, the original permit and the permit change fee with you.

20. The Forest Preserve District has established a permit/event “HOT LINE”, 1-888-344-9644 to register any complaints, concerns or compliments regarding the District and your event. Please do not use this line for information or emergencies.

    Although it is not required, the District requests that you or a representative of your group be present at the grove with the permit no later than 9am the date of your picnic/event, to avoid conflict with non-permitted groups.

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