About
Be a visible presence to help make the Forest Preserves of Cook County welcoming and inviting to all visitors—while you enjoy your favorite outdoor activities. Monitor any trail of your choice, report any issues, and provide wayfinding help to the public.
Requirements:
- Attend a one-time training session, offered quarterly. Sessions may be offered online or in-person.
- Background check required.
- Visit a Forest Preserves trail of your choice on foot, bike, horseback, personal mobility aid, or other approved means.
- Wear your Trail Watch shirt or gear while volunteering.
- Record the date, time, trail name, and distance traveled. Count how many visitors you see.
- Report any issues encountered to the Forest Preserves Police. Having a mobile phone is highly recommended.
- Have a basic understanding of Forest Preserves rules and policies. Provide non-enforcement and non-confrontational services to the public.
- After your visit, complete the Trail Watch Impact Form online.
Resources & Accommodations:
- Volunteers with limited mobility may choose to monitor from a fixed point, such as a parking lot, bench, or picnic grove.
- Tip: Forest Preserves with an accessible picnic shelter have accessible parking, an accessible curb cut and path from parking to picnic shelter, and accessible path from picnic shelter to an accessible indoor bathroom or accessible portable bathroom.
- List of Forest Preserves Trails including length and surface (paved or unpaved): https://fpdcc.com/places/trails/
- Information on accessible Forest Preserves facilities, the mobility device usage policy, and the service animal policy: https://fpdcc.com/about/accessibility/
- Please let us know if you have questions, suggestions to improve the accessibility of this program, or to share your experience as a volunteer: Volunteer.FPD@cookcountyil.gov.