Basic Picnic Permits cater to your private event needs, accommodating varying attendee numbers and allowing for the inclusion of Special Use Items:

• Private event
• 25 – 399 attendees
• May feature Special Use Items
• *Examples: Family reunion, birthday party, quinceañera, graduation party, wedding, corporate picnic

*The Forest Preserves also rents indoor event spaces for private events.

Fees

Fees, requirements and deadlines vary depending on the details of your event. Requests received within two weeks of the event date are subject to denial or a $30 late fee.

Application Deadlines

• 14 days prior to the event

Additional Requirements

For events that feature Special Use Items:

• All Special Use Items (excluding portable bathrooms, food/beverage trucks, and on-site caterers) that are not rented through our Approved Vendor List must provide insurance in the permit holder’s name.
• Basic Picnic Permit holders may use personally owned Special Use Items. They may also use the vendor of their choice for on-site catering or portable bathroom rentals. However, permit holders must submit:
  • A Certificate of Liability Insurance with the endorsement attached, naming the Forest Preserves of Cook County as an additional insured in the amount of $1,000,000 per occurrence. All documentation must be submitted and approved at least 10 business days prior to the event.

Special/Athletic/Other Event Permits offer flexibility for a wide range of events, from larger gatherings to those with unique features and requirements:

• Any size event with additional features such as, but not limited to: routes, vendors, promotions, ticket sales or fundraising.
• Any event with 400+ attendees (total includes staff, volunteers, etc.)
• *Examples: Festival, fundraiser, 5K walk/run, fishing derby

*Athletic events cannot be booked online. Applicants must apply in person or via email/phone for all athletic events.

Fees

Fees, requirements and deadlines vary depending on the details of your event. Requests received within two weeks of event date are subject to denial or a $30 late fee.

Application Deadlines

• 25 – 399 attendees: 30 days prior to event
• 400 – 999 attendees: 45 days prior to event
• 1,000+ attendees: 60 days prior to event
• Permit changes: 14 days prior to event
  • Change requests received within two weeks of event date are subject to denial or a $30 late fee.

Additional Requirements

Upon receipt of your application, a Permit Administrator is assigned. The Permit Administrator will evaluate your application, reserve the space requested and provide you with more specific requirements/fees for your event.

All required documentation is due at least two weeks prior to the event date. Requirements that are not fulfilled before the two-week deadline may result in cancellation of your permit, or a late fee.

Additional requirements may include:

• Special Use Items: If your event features Special Use Items, the Special Use Items Request Form and related documentation must be submitted at least 14 days prior to the event.
• Insurance: A Certificate of Liability Insurance with the endorsement attached, naming the Forest Preserves of Cook County as an additional insured in the amount of $1,000,000 per occurrence. All documentation must be submitted and approved at least 10 business days prior to the event.
• Large Events: Events with 400+ attendees must take place in designated large event areas.
• Clean-up Plan: Due to the impact of large and special events, additional maintenance requirements may apply—including portable bathroom and dumpster rental and a detailed plan for post-event clean-up.
• Safety Plan: To ensure the safety of our patrons and the participants of your event, a Safety Plan may be needed. Required documents may include: event layout, first aid station, on-site security, route, signage, transportation/parking plan, emergency response plan.
• On-site Meeting: To reduce day of event issues, the Forest Preserves may require an on-site meeting with event organizers. On-site meetings should be completed no less than 30-45 days prior to the event.

Picnic Packages offer Special Use Items at a discounted rate. If planning to add Special Use Items to your permit, you can qualify for discounted fees by selecting a picnic package, which allows for the addition of any two items from an Approved Vendor.

If you know which items you need for your event, you can select one of two Picnic Packages featuring Special Use Items at a prorated cost:

• Picnic Package 1
  • Reservation price includes the fees for 2 Special Use Items that must be rented from an approved vendor.
• Picnic Package 2
  • Must be purchased in person. Reservation price includes the fees for 4 Special Use Items that must be rented from an approved vendor.

Fees: If additional items are needed, your permit will be changed from a picnic package to the appropriate event type, with additional required documents and/or fees. Additional Special Use Items cost $15 per item.

FAQ

Does the Forest Preserve supply the Special Use Items included in the packages? No. The discounted fees included in the packages only allow you to add special-use items to the permit. The permit holder is responsible for contacting a vendor from our Approved Vendor List to reserve desired items and pay the required fees.

Do I need to use an Approved Vendor? Yes, you must rent your items through an approved vendor.

Will I receive a refund if I no longer need Special Use items? No; all permit fees paid, including picnic package fees and Special Use Item fees, are nonrefundable.

Is there a price difference in the Special Use Items within the picnic package? Yes! The Special Use Items in the picnic package are offered at a reduced cost compared to the individual Special Use Items.

Maintenance. For all maintenance concerns, please call the number on your permit in the center notes area.

Grove Disputes. Contact Forest Preserves Police at 708-771-1001 to settle disputes. Dial 9-1-1 for emergencies.

Special Use Item Permits allow you to include non-standard items in your forest preserve event, ensuring that your specific needs are met.

Examples include but are not limited to, amplified sound (DJ, stereo system, live band, etc.), generators, grills wider than 5 feet, inflatables, on-site catering, portable bathrooms or snack machines. If you are unsure if your event requires adding a special use item to your permit, please contact us.

Fees

Applications for Special Use Items require a $25 processing fee plus $15 per item. Requests received within two weeks of the event date are subject to denial or a $30 late fee.

Approved Vendors

Picnic and event permit holders can obtain Special Use Items directly through our Approved Vendor List without additional insurance requirements. You are not required to use an approved vendor.

Portable Bathroom Rental

Picnic and event permit holders can rent Portable Bathrooms directly through the Forest Preserves. You are not required to rent from the Forest Preserves.

Application Deadline

• 14 days prior to the event

Additional Requirements

• Before adding special use items to your permit, you must have an approved or pending Basic Picnic Permit or Special/Athletic/Other Event Permit.
• All Special Use Items (excluding portable bathrooms, food/beverage trucks, and on-site caterers) not rented through our Approved Vendor List must provide insurance in the permit holder’s name.
• Basic Picnic Permit holders may use personally owned Special Use Items. They may also use the vendor of their choice for on-site catering or portable bathroom rentals. However, permit holders must submit:
  • A Certificate of Liability Insurance with the endorsement attached, naming the Forest Preserves of Cook County as an additional insured in the amount of $1,000,000 per occurrence.
• Special/Athletic/Other Event Permit holders may use an approved vendor, a vendor of their choice or personally owned Special Use Items, subject to insurance and documentation requirements.
• All documentation must be submitted and approved at least 10 business days prior to the event.
• All rental agreements and insurance documents must be in the permit holder’s name.