(A) Public use and purpose of the District. Forest preserves are for the use by the general public. One of the functions of the District is to acquire, protect, restore, restock, develop, and interpret a well-balanced system of areas with scenic, ecological, recreational, and historic values for the inspiration, education, use, and enjoyment by the public. This subchapter is intended to help carry out this function.
(B) Hours of use. Forest preserves shall be open to the public from sunrise to 10:00 p.m. local time. No person shall remain in the forest preserves when the forest preserves are not open to the public without written permission of the District.
(C) Permits.
(1) No person shall conduct, operate, present, manage, or take part in the following activities in a forest preserve unless a permit is obtained from the District or Board prior to the start of the activity:
(a) Any contest, show, exhibit, dramatic performance, play, act, motion picture, acrobatic feat, bazaar, sporting event, musical event, ceremony, children’s day camp, or any public meeting, assembly, or parade including, but not limited to, drills or maneuvers, rallies, picketing, speeches and addresses, marches or political meetings;
(b) Any use of any preserve area or facility by a certain person or group of persons to the exclusion of others; and/or
(c) Camping on lands of the District or inhabiting any structure or facility overnight.
(2) Persons desiring the above activity may apply to the District for a written permit under the following categories and subject to fees set by the Board.
(a) Picnic. No permit is required to have a picnic, however, if a person desires to reserve a designated area or areas to the exclusion of others or desires to conduct, in conjunction with the public, related controlled activities such as, but not limited to, sound amplification, special vehicle access, animal rides, and the like, then a picnic permit, valid for one day, is required.
(b) Camping. A permit is required. The permit reserves a designates area of areas to the exclusion of others and allows permitted to remain in the preserve overnight.
(c) Special event. A permit is required for any of the other activities listed in division (C)(1)(a) above. The permit may provide for use of an area or areas to the exclusion of others and for other permit controlled activities pursuant to this subchapter.
(3) Permits are not transferable and fees paid are not refundable. Permits must be applied for at least 24 hours in advance of the event. Minor changes in the permit may be made upon written permission of the District for no additional fee, providing that the specific forest preserve designated is not changed, the date or dates involved are not changed, the number of the designated areas is not increased, and the request for change is made at least 24 hours prior to the event. Permits may also be required for other activities.
(Prior Code, § 8-1-1) Penalty, see § 92.99