The Village of Park Forest Recreation Parks & Community Health Department will hold its annual Park Pavilion Permit Lottery next month.

The event is held each year to allow people to secure their preferred park pavilion at Central Park, Somonauk Park, and Logan Park. The Village holds two lotteries, one for Park Forest residents and another for nonresidents of the Village.

This lottery system is designed to allow Park Foresters priority selection because of the high demand for park pavilions during the warm season, with an increasing number of non-Park Forest residents participating. 

The Park Permit Lottery for Park Forest residents will begin at 9 a.m. on Feb. 5 and run through Feb. 9. The lottery will be open to the public the following week, on Feb. 12.

Those who are interested should come to Village Hall and go to the Department of Recreation, Parks & Community Health to fill out the application on Feb. 5. Once the application is complete, you'll receive a number and wait until it's called. Once your number is called, you will complete the process with a staff member and receive your permit.

The Village's parks offer various amenities for the public. The newly renovated Somonauk Nature Adventure Park combines adventure and nature with Park Forest and its surrounding cities. Included is a two-acre pond with native, prairie, and emergent wetlands, recreational fishing, and kayaking. Additional site amenities include walks, accessible, elevated seating, and opportunities for fishing and kayaking.

Central Park is a great outdoor park for events like family reunions, class reunions, and work functions. It is particularly popular with those wishing to be near play areas for children. Central Park boasts two pavilions with eight tables in each and electrical outlets, with the east pavilion having an attached kitchen area complete with a sink, stove, and refrigerator.

Located on North Street, just west of Orchard Drive, Logan Park Pavilion is close to the beaten path, with a touch more privacy and less traffic than Central Park but not as tucked away as Somonauk Park. 

Logan Park has one pavilion and a small grill with electrical outlets, ideal for a small gathering. 

For more information on the Park Pavilion Permit Lottery, click here.