Champaign County Forest Preserves Remain Open under Executive Order 2020-10

Champaign County Forest Preserve District remains committed to supporting the health of our residents and visitors under the State of Illinois shelter-from-home order from the Governor’s Office. 

The Champaign County forest preserves will remain open for hiking, dog walking, fishing, and other outdoor recreational activities. Forest preserves offer important opportunities for our county residents to be active, exercise, and connect with nature. Indeed, the Governor’s executive order listed outdoor activities, such as walking, hiking, running, or biking, as comparable to such daily living essentials as shopping for groceries or going to a pharmacy. 

Based on guidance, all playgrounds within the preserves will be closed to discourage the spread of the COVID-19 virus on touch points. District staff will be placing caution signs and cordoning off those areas over the weekend. 

To heed the Governor’s order, District staff will be working remotely as much as feasible. Therefore, District offices and indoor locations, including restrooms, will remain closed at least until April 7, and quite likely longer. Phone calls and emails to staff will be returned as soon as possible. As previously announced, public programs and events are canceled until at least April 12. 

The District may close preserves if the Governor’s Office orders that further distancing measures must be taken. We will monitor COVID-19 developments as they occur. Updates can be found on our website at www.ccfpd.org. 

The District strongly encourages visitors to bring their own hand sanitizer for personal use when visiting all preserve areas, and as always, please adhere to public health guidelines for keeping good distance between yourself and other visitors.