On Monday, February 6, 2012, the Winnebago County Forest Preserve District will begin taking reservations for use of its shelterhouses for the 2012 season. The fee to reserve is $25 for small shelterhouses, $35 for large shelterhouses up to 300 people, and $5 for electricity when available (only 7 shelterhouses have electricity). $350 for 300-500 people which includes port-a-potty’s and extra large dumpster. Reservations for the District’s 27 shelters are being taken on a first come-first served basis at WCFPD headquarters at 5500 Northrock Drive. A reservation application may be requested by phone, or in person. Emails will be taken at the end of the day. For descriptions, panoramic photos and information on shelterhouses visit the Forest Preserve District web site at www.wcfpd.org. For a complete list of shelter house locations, capacities and facilities, call 815-877-6100 or E-mail: wcfpd@wcfpd.org

Winnebago County Forest Preserve District is accepting applications for seasonal employment at the golf operations for the 2012 season:

• Macktown Golf Course
• The Ledges Golf Course
• Atwood Homestead Golf Course

Applications are available at Winnebago County Forest Preserve District Headquarters, 5500 Northrock Drive, Rockford, Illinois 61103 or click below to print out an application.

Employment Application

Oak Ridge Forest Preserve will be a rest area for bikers attending the Bike MS 2012 on June 23 & 24, 2012. On Saturday, June 23, 2012 more than 2000 men, women and their bicycles will embark on a life-changing two-day journey. The ride will also change lives of the 20,000 people in Illinois affected by Multiple Sclerosis. Bike MS: Tour de Farms, taking place June 23 and June 24, is a 200-mile fundraising bike ride, with riders committed to raising a minimum of $300.

Bike MS: Tour de Farms is a ride, not a race. Riders travel the route at their own pace, following the rules of the road, as they make their way from NIU through the countryside and back. Every 10 to 15 miles, riders will encounter a rest stop manned by volunteers. Each rest stop offers tents, tables, chairs, water, sports drink, snacks, portable toilets, first aid/medical volunteers and bicycle mechanics.

The route has specific open and close times for each of the rest stops and a final close time for the route itself of 6:00 pm on Saturday and Sunday. For safety reasons, once the route has closed any rider who has not completed the day’s route will be picked up and brought directly to Northern Illinois University.

Bike MS: Tour de Farms benefits the National Multiple Sclerosis Society-Greater Illinois Chapter. The money raised through this event, and others hosted by the Chapter, support advocacy, research, local programs and services that enhance the quality of life for people with multiple sclerosis and their families.

Winnebago County Forest Preserve District is now accepting applications for the following seasonal positions for the 2012 season.

Campground Hosts (seasonal)

For a Campground Host application, please click on link.
Campground Host Application

Preserve Maintenance (long seasonal)

For a seasonal employment application for Preserve Maintenance, please click on link.
Employment Application

Winnebago County Forest Preserve District horse trails are closed for the season.

WINTER PRESERVE STATUS LIST

In an effort to reduce our operating expenses, we are reducing some of our snowplowing and salting. We encourage users to enjoy the preserves in their natural state during the winter months.

The District welcomes walk-in traffic at all preserves. PLEASE DO NOT BLOCK GATES WHEN PARKING.

NORTHEAST
Atwood Homestead- Entrance lane open & plowed/Preserve inner gates locked and roads not plowed.
Macktown- Entrance lane open and plowed down to visitor’s center.
Hononegah- Entrance lane plowed- Preserve inner gates locked and roads not plowed.
Roland Olson- Front lot open and plowed- Preserve gates locked and roads not plowed.
Kieselburg- Front lot open and plowed- Preserve gates locked and roads not plowed.

SOUTHEAST
Blackhawk Springs (Mulford Road) – Preserve gates closed and roads not plowed. (Perryville Rd. is open)

SOUTHWEST
No Significant changes- smaller parking lot sizes

NORTHWEST
No significant changes- smaller parking lot sizes

Macktown Golf Course will close for the 2011 season at sunset on Sunday, November 14, 2011. Atwood Homestead Golf Course will remain open for play, weather permitting, until further notice.

Winnebago County Forest Preserve Winter Closings

To reduce operating costs the Winnebago County Forest Preserve District will be reducing interior road plowing of preserves this winter. Most preserves will continue to be closed to vehicular traffic for the winter season. We will not be continuing to plow inside of closed gates. Many preserves will accommodate public access by having the front parking lots plowed and shoveled. Users are welcome to access the preserves on foot for hiking, cross-country skiing and other winter recreation. Paved trails at Blackhawk Springs Forest Preserve, Headquarters Forest Preserve, Severson Dells Forest Preserve, and Klehm Arboretum will be plowed and open during the winter season.

Winnebago County Forest Preserve District staff has been checking and posting boundaries along property lines of forest preserves. The public may see District staff. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the Director of Operations at 815-877-6100.

Forest preserves will be closed during firearm deer season: November 18-20 and December 1-4, 2011.