Frigid temperatures shutter DuPage forest preserves

Editors note: The preserves administrative and site facilities were closed on Jan. 6, but the preserves remained open. A previous version of the story stated that preserves were closed on Jan. 6.

By Joshua Welge

jwelge@dailyherald.com

Bone-chilling temperatures prompted officials to close all 60 DuPage preserves, along with the forest district’s offices and educational centers. A Tuesday forest preserve commission meeting and planning session also was canceled.

This is the second time this month the cold weather affected the DuPage preserves. Administrative and site facilities were closed on Jan. 6, although the preserves remained open.

“It’s really about life safety,” said Susan Olafson, director of the forest preserve’s Office of Public Affairs. “Our concern is with the safety of our visitors. With experts advising people to remain indoors with the extreme cold weather, we made the decision that it was in everybody’s best interest to close.”

It’s rare, but Olafson noted this isn’t the first time inclement weather has shut down the preserves. In 2011, blizzard conditions with snow blowing close to 55 mph prompted a closing.

Olafson said the preserves will be back open this morning.

“It’s really about public safety,” she said. “That’s the overriding thought process.”