Forest Preserve District of Cook County Releases Early Draft of its Camping Master Plan

The Forest Preserve District of Cook County (FPDCC) has published an early draft of its camping master plan. The plan is available for public viewing online at fpdcc.com/camping.

The plan is working document, and remains in a conceptual phase. It will be presented to the public for feedback during a series of open meetings held on August 22 and August 23. The final version, incorporating public comments and operational assessments, will be complete in October. Work on the camping program is expected to begin in 2013.

“One of the goals of my administration has been to create meaningful and fun ways to connect our residents, especially children, with the natural treasures that exist throughout our County,” said Forest Preserve District of Cook County President Toni Preckwinkle. “Camping is a phenomenal way to accomplish that goal, and we look forward to bringing public camping back to Cook County.”

Suggestions in the plan include:

• Day use camping sites throughout the District that will engage youth and families through new programs and recreation opportunities.
• Renovation of the cabins and barn at Camp Sullivan in Tinley Park and new cabins at Camp Reinberg in Palatine (existing cabins at Camp Falcon in Tinley Park, and at Camp Reinberg would be demolished).
• Two bunkhouses, each of which would sleep 32 people, at both Shabbona Woods (adjacent to the Sand Ridge Nature Center in South Holland) and the Crabtree Nature Center in Barrington (Crabtree would also hold six tent platforms).
• Six tent platforms in Thatcher Woods (River Forest, IL), which would serve as a base for canoe/kayak trips down the Des Plaines River.

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About the Forest Preserves of Cook County
Don’t you sometimes just want to escape? Explore the natural beauty of Cook County for an hour, a day or even a night. When you’re surrounded by 70,000 acres of wild and wonderful there’s no better place to feel free.