DuPage forest preserve district urges visitors to follow CDC guidelines

The Forest Preserve District of DuPage County says it will close preserves if visitors don't adhere to the CDC's social distancing and public health guidelines to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus.

On Friday, the district closed Rocky Glen Waterfall at Waterfall Glen Forest Preserve near Darien to stop visitors from congregating in the area.

With warmer weather on the way, public interest in forest preserves and outdoor activities deemed essential under the governor's executive order are expected to increase, officials said.

The district will closely monitor congestion in preserve parking lots. At more popular preserves, the district may limit parking lot access to DuPage residents only in an effort to alleviate congestion and large crowds.

If a forest preserve is crowded, the district is strongly encouraging people to visit other nearby less-crowded preserves or revisit the preserve during off-peak times. DuPage forest preserve hours have been revised to opening one hour after sunrise and closing at sunset.

For more information, visit dupageforest.org/coronavirus.