League Permits are required for any organized group, individual, or sports league that holds games or practices on Forest Preserves of Cook County property, regardless of attendance or duration.
On this page:
Overview
League activities include, but are not limited to, games, practices, events and classes. They must be held on Forest Preserves’ designated athletic fields, which must be reserved for a minimum of two hours.
Activities with 400+ attendees or more than 100 participants per field and tournaments must apply for an Special/Athletic/Other Event Permit.
Apply for a Permit
Once application fees are paid, completed applications may be submitted in person at Forest Preserves General Headquarters, by fax (708-771-1071) or via email (fpd.permits@cookcountyil.gov). A location map indicating where activities will take place and league/class schedule must be submitted with the application.
The Forest Preserves General Headquarters is currently open Monday to Friday from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. Walk-ins are welcome, but we recommend booking an appointment.
Locations
| Location Name | Number of Fields | Address | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 147th & Ridgeland | 4 | 147th St & Ridgeland Ave Oak Forest, IL 60452 (map) | |
| Brezina Woods | 1 | N La Grange Rd, south of W Cermak Rd Cook County, IL 60526 (map) | Under 18 years old only. No Friday to Sunday permits from Memorial Day through Labor Day. |
| Calumet Woods | 1 | Ashland Ave & Charles Dr Riverdale, IL 60827 (map) | Additional grove fees for Friday to Sunday permits. |
| Dam No. 2 Woods | 1 | E Des Plaines River Rd, south of E Euclid Ave/W Lake Ave Cook County, IL 60056 (map) | |
| Dan Ryan Woods- Central | 4 | W 83rd St, east of S Western Ave Chicago, IL 60620 (map) | No Friday – Sunday permits from Memorial Day – Labor Day. Additional grove fees for Friday to Sunday permits. |
| Elizabeth Conkey Forest – North | 2 | Central Ave, north of W 135th St Cook County, IL 60463 (map) | |
| Harms Woods -South | 1 | Harms Rd, north of Golf Rd Cook County, IL 60077 (map) | Additional grove fees for Friday to Sunday permits |
| Miller Meadow – South | 1 | 1st Ave, south of Roosevelt Rd Cook County, IL 60130 (map) | No Frday – Sunday permits from Memorial Day – Labor Day. Additional grove fees for Friday to Sunday permits. |
| Ned Brown Meadow | 4 | Golf Rd, east of I-290/Hwy 53 Cook County, IL 60007 (map) | No Friday – Sunday permits from Memorial Day – Labor Day. Additional grove fees for Friday to Sunday permits. |
| Grassy Ridge Meadow | 2 | W Central Ave, east of Huntington Blvd/Freeman Rd Hoffman Estates, IL 60195 (map) | |
| John E. Traeger Family Picnic Area | 1 | E Touhy Ave, east of Talcott Rd Park Ridge, IL 60068 (map) | |
| Pioneer Woods | 1 | 107th St, east of S Willow Springs Rd/Flavin Rd Cook County, IL 60480 (map) | |
| Plank Road Meadow Boat Launch | 1 | Ogden Ave, east of 1st Ave Riverside, IL 60534 (map) | |
| Robinson Homestead Family Picnic Area | 2 | Des Plaines River Rd, south of Lawrence Ave, Schiller Park, IL 60176 (map) | |
| Schiller Playfield | 3 | W Montrose Ave, east of N Cumberland Ave Chicago, IL 60706 (map) | |
| Schiller Woods-East | 9 | W Irving Park Rd, west of N Cumberland Ave Chicago, IL 60634 (map) | |
| St. Paul Woods | 1 | Lincoln Ave, south of W Dempster St Morton Grove, IL 60053 (map) | No Friday to Sunday Permits |
| Thatcher Woods | 1 | Chicago Ave, west of Thatcher Ave River Forest, IL 60305 (map) | Under 18 years old (Youth) only. No Friday to Sunday permits. |
| Woodland Meadow | 2 | Rohlwing Rd, north of Biesterfield Rd Elk Grove Village, IL 60007 (map) | Only one field rental at a time; 30-minute minimum gap between rentals. |