Facilities

Located on Lakewood Boulevard, just steps from some of Park Forest’s most popular attractions like the Park Forest Public Library, Park Forest Aqua Center, and Freedom Hall, Central Park is a favorite among those looking for an easily found outdoor space capable of accommodating large or small groups.

Amenities

Central Park boasts two pavilions with eight tables in each, electrical outlets. Rental of the East Pavilion includes an attached kitchen area complete with a sink, stove, and refrigerator. The West Pavilion does not include a kitchen area. Restrooms are conveniently located between the East and West Pavilions. Two small grills are located by the West Pavilion.

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.

2023 Park Permits Fees 

*Please review the information below on How to Obtain a 2023 Park/Equipment Permit

Pavilions can be rented between the hours of 8 a.m. - 9 p.m. Beginning and ending time on permit must include your set-up and clean-up time. Quiet hours after 8 p.m.  

Central Park Pavilions
*Groups over 99 people require renting both East and West Pavilions.

East Pavilion with Kitchen / Groups of 99 or less - $20 per hour
West Pavilion / Groups of 99 or less - $15 per hour

*Groups of 100-199 / East & West Pavilion together - $35 per hour
*Groups of 200 or more - $50 per hour (additional fees may apply)

Temporary Liquor Permit
(Please allow a minimum of 10 business days prior to event for processing.)

A Temporary Liquor Permit is required for all park permits requesting to serve and/or consume alcohol in the parks. A Temporary Liquor Permit application must be completed by the Park Permit holder and returned with a $5 non-refundable fee. Once the Temporary Liquor permit application has been approved by the Village of Park Forest, the permit holder will be required to obtain a $1,000,000 liability policy through their insurance company. Please contact Recreation & Parks for more information.

*How to Obtain a 2023 Park/Equipment Permit:  Click here for Park Permit Day flyer

The Park Forest Recreation and Parks Department will hold its Annual Park Pavilion Permit Lottery on Saturday, Feb. 4, 2023, beginning at 9 a.m. The event is held each year to allow members of the public the opportunity to secure their preferred Park Forest Park Pavilion at Central Park, Somonauk Park and Logan Park.

 Two separate lotteries will be held for Park Forest residents and non-Park Forest residents. This lottery system is designed to allow Park Forest residents priority selection in what has become a popular lottery event, with an increasing number of non-Park Forest residents participating in the process. 

The Park Permit Lottery for Park Forest residents will begin at 9 a.m. The lottery for non-Park Forest residents will immediately follow the Park Forest resident lottery. All members of the public must be present by 9 a.m. Please check-in between 8:30 a.m. - 8:45 a.m. Please bring a State ID to verify residency. 

Names will be pulled for the Park Forest resident permit lottery first, and permits will be issued in the order names are selected. Names will be drawn for the non-Park Forest resident lottery second, and permits will be issued in the order names are selected. Please note that individuals are restricted to one picnic date per person. Full payment is due at time of reserving a permit.  No phone orders.

WHAT TO BRING TO YOUR APPOINTMENT TO SECURE A PARK/EQUIPMENT PERMIT 

Please note that individuals are restricted to one picnic date per person. 

⦁    All members of the public must arrive by 9 a.m. Check-in time is 8:30 a.m. to 8:45 a.m. at Park Forest Village Hall at 350 Victory Dr., Park Forest, IL. 

⦁    Bring Your State Driver's License or State ID 

⦁    Full payment is due at time of reserving a permit. Forms of payment accepted are cash, check, charge cards (MasterCard, Visa, American Express and Discover). 

⦁    A Temporary Liquor Permit is required for all park permits requesting to serve and/or consume alcohol in the parks. Information is listed above or call Recreation, Parks & Community Health at 708-748-2005 for more information. 

⦁    Pavilions may be rented between the hours of 8 a.m. and 9 p.m. Time stated on permit must include set-up and clean-up time. Park permits do not include reserved time on ballfields or tennis courts.

⦁    Park and Equipment Permits are for rain or shine. 

⦁    Permit cancellations must be made two weeks prior to permit date to be considered for a refund. Permits are subject to the following cancellation fees: Park Permits $10. Equipment permits 5% of the total fee.

Link:  

Park Rules 

Village of Park Forest Ordinances - Pet Waste Disposal and Removal 

Sec. 14-2. - Declaration of nuisances. It shall be deemed unlawful and a nuisance for any person within the village limits to: (3) Permit any pet under his care or control to deposit any excrement upon the property of another, without the express consent of the owner of the property; appear with a pet upon any alley, street, sidewalk, park, playground, parking lot, church or school grounds or other property of public use, without some means for the removal of excrement; fail to remove any excrement deposited by such pet; or dispose of such excrement except as provided in section 86-4 of this Code. This section shall not apply to a blind or physically handicapped person while walking his guide or support dog.

Sec. 14-49. - Removal of excrement. (a) No person shall appear with a pet upon the public ways or within public places or upon the property of another, absent that person's consent, without some means for the removal of excrement, nor shall any person fail to remove any excrement deposited by such pet. This section shall not apply to a blind or physically handicapped person while walking his guide or support dog. (b) This section shall be enforced under and in accordance with chapter 2, article VII of this Code, which article provides for the administrative adjudication of certain ordinance violations.