Forest Preserves News

Discover New Interactive Trail Map
Find your next adventure with our interactive trail map, built on GIS technology. This easy-to-use map will help you locate trails, preserves, activities and amenities within your Lake County Forest Preserves from your phone, tablet or computer. The 2017 Hike Lake County trails are also included on the map. Exercise, relax and spend quality time outdoors along nearly 204 miles of trails in peaceful, natural settings. Learn more and start exploring today!

Hike Lake County
It’s back! Earn your yearly commemorative shield while exploring designated “Hike Lake County” trails and enjoying fall breezes and autumn colors. Complete just seven of the hikes now through Nov. 30 to earn the custom designed shield. Learn more

Buffalo Creek To Undergo Improvements
Set in the midst of bustling suburbs, this emerald island offers a quiet place to relax and recreate with nature. Its wide-open spaces are safe, clean and easy to explore. Four miles of gravel trails are open to hikers, bicyclists and cross-country skiers. Please keep dogs leashed and on trails at all times, and pick up after them. The trails run through open areas within the preserve, crossing several creeks, skirting the reservoir and traversing restored prairie.

Within the next year, Buffalo Creek Forest Preserve will be undergoing reservoir expansion, preserve improvements, wetland mitigation and new trail construction. Visitors will enjoy 1.2 miles of additional trails that will provide two new loops east of Schaeffer Road, seven new boardwalks, two scenic overlooks and a 30-car expansion of the existing parking lot. Approximately a half-mile of the existing trail in a flood prone area will be relocated to higher ground to increase accessibility for longer periods and reduce long-term maintenance costs. Nineteen acres of new wetlands and 35 acres of prairie/savanna will be added as part of the restoration of the basin.

As part of a wetland mitigation bank, additional restoration work on the preserve’s western 65 acres will reestablish and rehabilitate native wetland habitat by returning the former farm fields to a sustainable natural condition. When complete, visitors of the preserve will be able to enjoy an additional 1.1 miles of new trails connecting an adjacent residential area and the Village of Long Grove’s soccer fields to the extensive network of existing trails within the preserve. View concept plans and project details. 

Community Campfire Friday Nights
Gather with friends and family roasting marshmallows over the fire, stroll peacefully on a nature walk, share a story or bring an instrument to play. Nature activities vary monthly; make sure you bring a cozy blanket and a chair. Learn more

Waukegan Savanna Dog Park
If dogs could talk they would no doubt tell us they love living in Lake County. What’s not to love, with four great dog exercise areas and a new one on the way? Good news for our lucky canines is that these romping grounds will get even better over the next several years. 

In 2014, we conducted a survey to find out what features people would like in a new off-leash dog area opening at Waukegan Savanna Forest Preserve. Comments helped shape the park's design features. By incorporating public feedback, studying the latest national dog park design trends and complying with the ADA 2010 Standards for Accessible Design, there are great things in store for dogs and their owners. The new 11-acre Dog Park is the first phase of the Conceptual Master Plan for Waukegan Savanna. Plans include: 

• Shade shelters 
• Separate enclosed area for dogs less than 25 pounds
• Entrance and 60-car parking lot at the northeast corner of Delany and Yorkhouse roads
• Toilet and drinking water for dogs and people

Work on the new Dog Park is underway. Completion is expected in late fall 2018. Learn more

Captain Daniel Wright Woods
This peaceful oasis among the bustling suburbs offers four miles of scenic trails: a short loop for hikers, bicyclists and skiers that circles a pond, and a 3-mile loop for hikers, bicyclists, skiers and horses. A footbridge spanning the Des Plaines River links Wright Woods to Half Day Forest Preserve. Together they offer some of southern Lake County's most scenic outdoor recreation opportunities.

Wright Woods was named for one of Lake County’s first settlers, Captain Daniel Wright. The preserve's 750 acres provide one of the best opportunities to see the powerful effects of water and fire. Prior to settlement by Europeans, wildfires regularly swept eastward across Lake County, only to be stopped by the Des Plaines River. Situated just east of the river, Wright Woods supports a rich oak and maple woodland that sometimes develops in less frequently burned areas. 

In late summer, look for nesting field birds in the restored prairie. Eastern bluebirds, tree swallows and red-tailed hawks are commonly seen here, too. With large stands of maples found at few other places in Lake County, Wright Woods is also a great place to view autumn colors. Learn more 

The second installment of your 2016 property tax bill is due Sept. 6. Please note you received one bill in May, and you will not receive another bill for the second installment. If you have misplaced your second installment coupon, you can print a copy from the Treasurer's Office website by entering your PIN or address. View your tax bill and check payment status.

Keep in mind, while you send your payment to Lake County, the County only keeps a small portion (about 7%), and the rest is distributed to many other taxing districts. Visit Lake County’s property tax information page to learn more about the property tax process, including what Lake County does with its portion.

Lake County is working with state and federal teams, assessing the damage to homes and businesses impacted by the July floods. Recently, the teams went door to door to talk to residents. This validation is part of the ongoing Public Assistance assessment process to determine if the amount of flood damage meets the threshold to qualify for federal assistance to reimburse local governments and businesses for costs associated with the floods. Learn the latest information by visiting our 2017 flood web page.

On July 11 and 12, Lake County was inundated by VERY heavy rain. Some communities received over seven inches of rain in a 24-hour period. The rain not only led to flash flooding that impacted roads, homes, parks, businesses, and more, but also resulted in flooding to our major rivers that prolonged flooding in several communities. Take a look at the “Flood by the Numbers.”

Back-to-School Safety Tips
As students return to the classroom, let’s make sure they are safe this school year! This means keeping an eye on the road for school buses and students walking to school and making sure students use their technology responsibly. Watch this video to watch safety tips from the Lake County Sheriff’s Office. 

Compost Bin & Rain Barrel Sale
Head to the End of Summer Compost Bin & Rain Barrel Sale at SWALCO's Gurnee facility, 1311 N. Estes St. on Sept. 15 from 10 am. to 2 p.m. Only cash and checks will be accepted. 

Water Usage and Conservation
Water is a valuable resource that should not be wasted, but it can be easy to lose track of how much water is used. Read Lake County’s water usage and conservation guide, which has helpful information about water consumption, both indoor and outdoor as well as water conservation tips. Use this knowledge to verify that your home is leak free, and start conserving water in your daily activities.

Use the Water Meter Customer Portal 
Lake County Public Works customers can monitor how much water is being used and possibly save money by visiting the Water Meter Customer Portal. Registering takes only a minute! Watch this video to learn the benefits of using the customer portal.  Register now!

Check out all SWALCO's convenient services 
The Solid Waste Agency of Lake County provides a variety of convenient services for Lake County residents including electronics recycling, household chemical waste collections, textile recycling, paint disposal, prescription drug drop-off boxes, Reuse-A-Shoe program, and composting options. 

Did you know you can apply for a new passport or renewal at the Lake County Circuit Clerk's Office without an appointment? You can even get your passport picture taken. Watch this video, available in English and Spanish to learn about the passport services provided.

Center Street Culvert Repair 
The Lake County Division of Transportation has closed Center Street, between IL 83 and Atkinson Road, to replace the large culvert just east of IL 83 in Grayslake. The closure is expected to last until Sept. 1.

The heavy flash flooding a few weeks ago in Grayslake undermined the culvert leading to a partial collapse of the pavement. This culvert was on schedule to be replaced in 2018, but after evaluating the impact of the flash flooding, this culvert will need to be replaced this year. Detour Route

Behind the Scenes: Lake County PASSAGE

Did you use Lake County PASSAGE as a resource for local road information during the flood? The widespread flooding that hit Lake County in July caused major roads to close, and commutes were disrupted for several days in a row. Throughout the disaster, LCDOT had a team of traffic operators and engineers updating Lake County PASSAGE around the clock, and remotely observing traffic conditions to adjust signal timings as flooding events unfolded. This was done in real time to help traffic adjust to road closures and backups.

Whether you are a regular PASSAGE user or if this was your first time - you may be wondering how it works? Here is a video tour of the PASSAGE operation so you can see what happens behind the scenes.

Upcoming Low-Cost Pet Vaccination Clinic
Lake County Animal Care and Control provides low-cost pet vaccination clinics.  The next event is Saturday, Sept. 9 at the Grayslake Police Department, 10 South Seymour, Grayslake from 9 a.m. to noon.  It is open to ALL Lake County residents.  Pets are taken on a first-come, first-served basis.  All animals must be at least four months old.  Dogs must be leashed and cats placed in carriers.  Only cash is accepted on-site and at the time of service.  Proof of spray/neuter may be required.  For additional information, including prices visit Animal Care and Control's website.  

The County Board recently announced the appointments of two leadership positions in the areas of transportation and public works. Shane Schneider, P.E., MBA will serve as the new Director of the Lake County Division of Transportation/County Engineer and Rodney Worden, P.E., will serve as the Lake County Director of Public Works. Learn more about these appointments.

The Lake County Children's Advocacy Center recently celebrated its 30th anniversary and the opening of its Healing Garden. The Center works in conjunction with the Lake County State's Attorney's Office and local Lake County police departments to investigate and help successfully prosecute offenders of child abuse without causing further trauma to the child victim. Watch Video