Gateway Master Plan

A sign with directions on the North Branch Trail at Skokie Lagoons
Signage installed at Skokie Lagoons as a result of the Gateway Master Plan.

The Forest Preserves developed the Gateway Master Plan (2015) to look at the role of gateways throughout our preserves in Cook County. Gateways are defined as signature sites that should be promoted as destinations to visitors.

The plan identified challenges and recommendations for signage, wayfinding, access and amenities. Twelve priority sites were selected through the planning process to look at opportunities to make the site more inviting to visitors.

The Gateway Master Plan is important to help raise awareness of special forest preserve sites, to orient visitors and to encourage them to take advantage of free outdoor activities and healthy recreational opportunities.


This planning effort was made possible, in part, with funding from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention through the Healthy HotSpot initiative led by the Cook County Department of Public Health. The Healthy HotSpot initiative aims to build healthy places in suburban Cook County through community partnerships that make healthy living easier. Learn more about Healthy Hotspots.

The Forest Preserve Foundation also provided an additional support towards the Gateway initiative.