Picnic permits to go on sale Jan. 2

The Forest Preserve District of Cook County will begin selling 2013 picnic permits in-person on Wednesday, Jan. 2, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Forest Preserve District of Cook County General Headquarters, 536 N. Harlem Ave., River Forest.

Regular hours are Mondays through Fridays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. From April through September, the permit office will have extended hours this year, open Mondays through Fridays from 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Online sales are available at www.fpdcc.com 24 hours a day beginning 8 a.m. Jan. 2.

A picnic permit must be obtained by groups of 25 or more. Only two picnic permits per person or organization are allowed per year.

Permit prices vary based on the size of the group and the amenities available at the grove.

In 2012, the district sold 8,446 permits, with approximately 12 percent issued on the first day.

Busse Woods near Elk Grove Village was the fourth most popular grove for picnics.