Lake forest preserves now have solar lights on trails

With small solar lights to guide their way, hikers, skiers and snowshoers can get some brisk evening exercise along the 1.3-mile fitness trail at Old School Forest Preserve in Libertyville and along a 1.65-mile hilly, scenic section of the Millennium Trail, adjacent to the Winter Sports Area at Lakewood Forest Preserve in Wauconda.

Though regular preserve hours are 6:30 a.m. to sunset, now the illuminated trails and adjacent parking lots will remain open after sunset until 9 p.m. daily through Saturday, March 9, 2013.

Bicycle and equestrian traffic is not permitted on the lighted trails after sunset. Dogs are allowed but must be leashed.

To access the lighted trails, park at Lakewood’s Winter Sports Area on the east side of Fairfield Road, just south of Route 176, or at Old School’s main entrance lot on the east side of St. Mary’s Road, just south of Route 176.

Lake County Forest Preserve Rangers regularly patrol the areas.

For details, visit www.lcfpd.org.