By creating the 208-acre Cricket Creek Forest Preserve in Addison, the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County transformed a flood-prone housing development into a beautiful forest preserve for all to enjoy. The preserve also contains the county’s first wetland mitigation bank, a restoration site funded by developers to replace previously destroyed wetlands. The District hope to restore and reintroduce wetland species of plant and wildlife into the preserves, such as cattails and leopard frogs.

Recreation

Picnicking

Picnickers can reserve the 50-person shelter near the main parking lot through Visitor Services at (630) 933-7248 but must do so at least three business days before their visit. Cricket Creek has a nonreservable picnic area, too.

Ground fires are prohibited, but visitors may bring their own grills and use the on-site hot-coal disposal containers. For everyone’s convenience, Cricket Creek offers a water pump and restrooms with pit toilets.

Trails

Trails wind through the preserve and around the lakes and are ideal for hiking, biking, jogging and cross-country skiing.

Fishing

There are three shallow lakes at Cricket Creek, each with largemouth bass, crappie, catfish, sunfish, and bluegill. The 9-acre Green Lake has a maximum depth of 10 feet. The 3-acre Stonewort Pond and 5-acre Riverbend Pond have maximum depths of 9 feet. Anglers are asked to fish Stonewort Pond if visitors with model boats are using Riverbend.

Anglers 16 and older who are not legally disabled must have valid Illinois sport fishing licenses in their possession. All anglers must follow all District and state regulations.

Dogs

Dogs are welcome at Cricket Creek but must be on leashes no greater than 10 feet in length.

Model Boating

Riverbend Pond is the Forest Preserve District’s only model-boating lake. Operators must have valid IMPBA cards and District permits in their possession and may only use Riverbend Pond.

Annual and daily permits are available through Visitor Services at (630) 933-7248 weekdays between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Senior citizens are entitled to one free annual permit per calendar year.

Accessibility

The Forest Preserve District of DuPage County is committed to making its facilities accessible to all visitors. For special accessibility needs or concerns, please contact the District’s ADA coordinator at (630) 933-7683 or TTY (800) 526-0857 at least three business days in advance of your visit.