2013 ANNUAL PERMITS TO GO ON SALE IN DECEMBER

Forest Preserve District of DuPage County annual off-leash dog area, private boating and model-craft permits for 2013 go on sale Dec. 3, 2012 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. (Camping and picnic-area reservations begin Jan. 2, 2013).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’s plenty of room for romping, running and fetching at the off-leash dog areas located at the following forest preserves: 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. Dog owners may obtain permits for as many of their dogs as they wish; however, owners may only have three dogs at an area at one time.
     
      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. Nongasoline-powered watercraft up to 20 feet in length, including boats, canoes, kayaks and multichambered inflatables with factory-installed hardened floors and transoms are permitted. Sailboats are permitted only at Silver Lake. Silver Lake features a boat ramp, while only carry-in boating is allowed at Round Meadow and Mallard lakes. For carry-in boating, trailers are prohibited, and boats must be transported on or in a vehicle and carried from the parking lot to the lake. 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.
      Good things happen when you explore the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County’s 60 forest preserves and five education facilities. For information on ways to experience conservation, education and recreation in your neck of the woods, call 630-933-7248 or visit dupageforest.org.