It’s not too early to plan your summer picnic
When winter snows fall and cold winds blow, few people are likely thinking about camping or picnicking in DuPage County.
But warmer days will be here again, and it’s never too early to start planning outdoor gatherings.
Reservations for DuPage Forest Preserve District picnic areas and family and youth-group campsites for 2012 will be accepted beginning at 8 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 3. Reservations must be made at least three business days in advance; reservations for holiday dates should be made as early as possible.
Picnickers can choose from more than 20 reservable shelters and picnic areas, which are available for family reunions, church picnics or other gatherings.
Permit fees vary based on site amenities and capacities, which range from 25 to 300. Some shelters have fireplaces, built-in grills or electricity. In select areas, picnickers also can rent canopy tents or large-capacity grills.
The good news for campers is that upgrades to the family campground at Blackwell Forest Preserve near Warrenville are complete. The campground will be open Friday and Saturday nights and holidays from May through September.
A new campground map is available in the “Recreation” section of the district’s website, dupageforest.org. More than 60 sites for tents, trailers and motor homes will be available and all will offer electricity. Each site includes a gravel parking pad, fire ring and picnic tables and can accommodate a maximum of eight people and two tents. The campground offers restrooms with showers and water pumps. Family campground permit fees are $20 per site a night for DuPage residents and $30 a night for nonresidents. Senior citizens may receive one free permit per household for a consecutive Friday and Saturday night stay. Campers can purchase firewood for $5 a bundle. As part of districtwide efforts to help slow the spread of the emerald ash borer, outside firewood is not allowed.Youth group campgrounds are located at Blackwell in Warrenville, Churchill Woods in Glen Ellyn, Greene Valley in Naperville, Pratt#146;s Wayne Woods in Wayne and Waterfall Glen in Darien. Semiprimitive areas just for tents, these campgrounds are solely for use by recognized nonprofit youth groups. Permit fees vary and are based on site capacities, which vary from 25 to 100. Open year-round, all sites have picnic tables and fire rings; latrines, firewood and water pumps are nearby. A youth group cabin with electricity is also available at Herrick Lake Forest Preserve in Wheaton. The cabin will be unavailable for several weeks in February, March and April due to the Butterfield Road construction project.All permit fees are nonrefundable. Camping-permit holders must be at least 21 years old; picnic-permit holders must be at least 18. Permit holders must remain on site. Permit applications can be downloaded from the district#146;s website and submitted in person, by fax or by mail to Visitor Services located at district headquarters at Danada Forest Preserve in Wheaton.