Forest Preserves of Cook County Special Event Permit (Picnic Groves)
Various sites, Cook County, IL
| Venue type | Park & Pavilion |
| Location | Various sites, Cook County, IL |
| Published price | $312 to $341 |
| Capacity | Up to 100 guests |
| Setting | Outdoor |
What the venue publishes
$25 application fee plus Special Event Permit fee for a group of 25-100 people: $287 (resident) or $316 (non-resident), for a total of $312-$341. Larger groups cost more (101-200: $339/$373; 201-399: $469/$516). A $250 security deposit applies for groups of 25-399. Not-for-profit and veteran organizations may qualify for 50% off base fees; bookings Monday-Thursday (excluding holidays) get a 25% discount.
Covers reservable picnic groves/shelters across the Forest Preserves of Cook County. Couples should confirm with FPCC that a Special Event Permit (rather than a basic Picnic permit) is the correct permit for a wedding at their chosen grove; a plain small-grove picnic permit with shelter is even cheaper ($85 resident / $94 non-resident for 25-100 people) but may not allow decor, DJs, or catering setups.
Source
Price verified against the venue's published pricing on 2026-08-05. Prices change; always confirm directly with the venue.
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