Fox River Bluff West Forest Preserve will be closed to the public Oct. 20-24 due to scheduled parking lot improvements at the St. Charles preserve.

Fox River Bluff West is one of the Forest Preserve District’s popular off-leash dog areas. With the addition of the Red Gate vehicle and pedestrian bridges to the site, the preserve is even more heavily used. Due to the increased activity at the preserve, the Forest Preserve District budgeted to replace the current parking lot with a paved, asphalt surface. The paved lot will allow for safer access onto Illinois Route 31 while exiting the preserve, and make it easier for staff to maintain during the winter months. Additionally, the paving of the accessible path will make it safer for preserve patrons, and will also save time needed for ongoing maintenance to the path.

Preserve and trail users are asked to be mindful of the temporary preserve closure. The work schedule may be impacted by weather or construction delays. Any changes to the schedule will be posted on site and on the District’s Web site at www.kaneforest.com.

Alternate off-leash dog areas are available around Kane County. The St. Charles Park District manages two dog parks on Forest Preserve District property — Regole Forest Preserve at 3790 Commerce Dr., St. Charles and River Bend Community Park at Courier and Geneva Avenues, St. Charles. The Forest Preserve District manages two off-leash dog areas: one at Schweitzer Woods Forest Preserve, located at 16N900 Sleepy Hollow Rd., West Dundee; the other at Aurora West Forest Preserve located at 40W032 Hankes Rd., Aurora.

For more information on this project, contact the Forest Preserve District at 630-232-5980.

SOURCE: Kane County Forest Preserve District press release