Trail Watch keeps users safer

Active Trans members who are among the more than 40 million visitors to the Cook County Forest Preserve are now safer under the vigilant eyes of the Trail Watch.

The Forest Preserve’s Trail Watch program recruits volunteers to keep a lookout for danger on the trails, such as suspicious activity, a fallen tree branch, overgrowth or divots in the trail. Volunteers then call the Cook County Forest Preserve (CCFP) District police, who direct the call as needed – to emergency, maintenance, etc.

“Volunteers give us the eyes and ears we don’t have,” said CCFP Chief of Police Richard Waszak.

At the Forest Preserve Board meeting on May 6, police officers gave an update on the Trail Watch. After starting four months ago, the Trail Watch now has more than 70 volunteers, approximately 15 requested and received CPR training from police.

The program is designed to be user-friendly – volunteers use the trail like they usually do, at their normal times of day, distances and locations. This system, along with volunteers’ distinctive T-shirts or vests, establishes Trail Watch volunteers as a reliable presence, making it safer for trail users.

“Volunteers become familiar with other trail users, and other trail users become familiar with them,” Chief Waszak said.

Another safety measure is the approximately 30 emergency call boxes along trails and throughout the Forest Preserve.

You can volunteer for the Trail Watch program by filling out an application at fpdcc.com