Cook County forest preserve picnic permits on sale 8 a.m. Friday

Picnic permit purchases, a New Year tradition, will begin at 8 a.m. Friday, Jan. 2, at the Forest Preserves of Cook County General Headquarters, 536 N. Harlem Ave., River Forest. Online purchases will also begin at 8 a.m. on the website at fpdcc.com/permits.

A picnic permit must be obtained by groups of 25 or more.

Requests for permits for groups larger than 399 people also will be available online. Online users must create an account and doing so ahead of time is recommended in order to immediately book a location when sales begin. Customers who created profiles in 2014 are advised to use the same login information.

Doors will open at 7 a.m. for in-person requests. Staff will be on hand to assist in selecting the most appropriate places to host events. Similar information is posted online, including the list of all 297 picnic groves as well as maps and the various fees associated with picnic rentals.

Online customers needing assistance can contact Forest Preserve staff at (800) 870-3666 (option #2) in the event they experience problems.

"This is one of the busiest times of the year for us," said Daniel Betts, director of permits for the district. "Preparations began several months in advance."

Nearly 10 percent of permits are sold opening day. In 2014, more than 1 million people attended permitted picnic events.