Facilities

Somonauk Park is nestled in a neighborhood located in the southern part of the Park Forest.

Please note: Somonauk Nature Adventure Park, Somonauk Park/Pavilion will be available to rent for the 2023 Season starting in August. 

Somonauk Nature Adventure Park
Coming soon to Park Forest, Ill., Somonauk Nature Adventure Park combines adventure and nature in one park-redevelopment strategy. Planned renovations for the 16-acre park include construction of a two-acre pond with native, prairie, and emergent wetland, recreational fishing, and kayaking. Additional site amenities include walks; accessible, elevated seating; and opportunities for fishing and kayaking. The project also becomes part of the village’s Best Management Practices (BMPs) for storm water management. Click on the link below to read the full article.  

https://www.parksandrecbusiness.com/articles/the-best-of-both-worlds 

12/13/22 Somonauk Park Renovation Update 
Somonauk Nature Adventure Park, Somonauk Park/Pavilion will be available to rent for the 2023 Season starting in August 2023.  

*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 Drivers 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 8:00 a.m. and 9:00 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.

Somonauk Park, located on Somonauk Street in the southern portion of Park Forest, and Park Forest’s second largest community park, will receive a nearly $800,000 renovation. The village will provide the initial funding for the project with fifty percent being reimbursed through a state grant. When completed, Somonauk Park will be transformed to a one acre pond providing fishing and kayaking opportunities, zip lines, elevated seating terraces, and accessible walking paths. Village leaders hope the park will provide additional recreation options for Park Forest families and will serve as a regional destination that draws others into the community.  

"This project offers not only new and unique opportunities for both active and passive recreation, it also adds to the native habitat in the Village. This project is supported by the various volunteer Boards and Commissions as not only an improvement to the park but as a potential catalyst for economic development and a draw for new residents," said Recreation, Parks, and Community Health Director Rob Gunther. 

The first phase of the project will begin later this month. 

“This is the base work and demolition of some of the existing conditions,” Gunther said. 

Following phase one, the fishing pier and kayaks are expected to be installed as part of phase two, landscaping and asphalt work planned for phase three, and final site amenities to be added in phase four. 

Earlier this month, village officials held a meeting for residents who live near the park. Nearly 30 attended to ask questions and learn more about the plans. Aside from common questions related to noise and impacts on traffic, resident feedback was positive and encouraging, according to Gunther. 

The redeveloped Somonauk Park is expected to open to the public in Aug. of 2023.

For questions, contact the Recreation, Parks and Community Health Department at 708-748-2005. 

 Links: 

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.