Interactive Map Help Guide

If you need assistance using the interactive map, please review the "Frequently Asked Questions" below, or contact us .

Click on each question in order to show or hide the answer.

Definitions

What is a search panel, main menu, map tip, or details page?

Term Definition
Search Panel The screen that is located on the left side of the map. It displays additional information about the content shown on the map.
Main Menu The default screen shown in the search panel. It contains a welcome message and four search buttons that allow you to search for Forest Preserves, Visitor Centers, Trails, and Activities.
Map Tip The pop-up window that appears when you click or tap certain features on the map (e.g., Visitor Centers). A map tip contains additional information about the feature that you clicked or tapped.
Details Page The screen located in the search panel that contains additional content and links to more information about Forest Preserves, Visitor Centers, or Trails.

Map Navigation

1. What do the map symbols mean?

The map symbols represent the amenities and offerings at District properties.

Click on the "Map Legend" button located on the right side of the screen in the black bar above the map.
A window will pop up with a scrollable list of the icons on the map and a description of what they mean.

2. What are the map tools?

The map tools allow you to save, print, measure, share, or add notes to the map.

The map tools are located on the right side of the screen in the black bar above the map.
Click on any of the buttons to activate them.

3. How do I navigate around the map?

Click your left mouse button, hold it down, and move your mouse to change what part of the map is displayed. When the left mouse is held down and the mouse is moved, the cursor will change to a cross with four arrows.

4. How do I zoom in or out?

Using the Map Controls:

Use the two white buttons located under the blue pin on the map.
To Zoom In: Click the "+" button.
To Zoom Out: Click the "-" button.

Using Your Mouse

If your mouse has a scrolling wheel located between the left and right buttons,
you can use it to zoom in or out of the map.

To Zoom In: Roll the scroll wheel toward the top of the mouse.
To Zoom Out: Roll the scroll wheel toward the bottom of the mouse.

5. I'm zoomed in too far. How do I get back to the big map?

Click the "Home Extent" button located above the blue pin on the map.

6. How do I get back to the main menu when using the search panel?

Click on the "Home" button at the top of any page in the search panel to return to the main menu.

Site Usage

1. How do I contact the Forest Preserve District of Will County?

Click on the information button located on the right side of the screen in the black bar above the map. A window will pop up with information about the interactive map and a list of links. Click on the "Contact Us" link to open a new browser tab that displays a form you can use to contact the District.

2. How do I visit the Forest Preserve District's homepage?

Click on the "ReconnectWithNature.org" link at the bottom of the screen to open the District's homepage.

3. Is there an alternative to this site that can be used with a screen reader?

Click on the "information button" button located on the right side of the screen above the map.
A window will pop up with information about the interactive map and a list of links.
Click on the "HTML" link to view a version of this site in HTML code that can be used with a screen reader.

4. What am I agreeing to by using this site?

Click on the "information button" button located on the right side of the screen above the map.
A window will pop up with information about the interactive map and a list of links.
Click on the "Terms of Use" link to open a new browser tab that displays the guidelines for usage of this site.

5. What information does this site collect from me?

Click on the "information button" button located on the right side of the screen above the map.
A window will pop up with information about the interactive map and a list of links.
Click on the "Privacy Policy" link to open a new browser tab that describes what information this site collects from you.

Searching Functions

1. How do I find a Forest Preserve?

Click the "Forest Preserves" button in the search panel to display a list of Forest Preserves.
Click on the name of a Forest Preserve to view more information.

2. How do I find a Visitor Center?

Click the "Visitor Centers" button in the search panel to display a list of Visitor Centers.
Click on the name of a Visitor Center to view more information.

3. How do I find a Regional Trail?

Click the "Regional Trails" button in the search panel to display a list of regional trails.
Click on the name of a trail and the map will highlight the trail in red.
A list of trailheads and access points will also appear in the search panel.
Click on the name of a trailhead or access point to display more information in the search panel and view its location on the map.

4. What activities can I do at a Forest Preserve?

Click the "Activities" button in the search panel to display an activities search screen.
Click to select activities or features to search for. Selected options will turn green.
Click the "Search" button.
A list of Forest Preserves, Visitor Centers, and/or Regional Trails that match your search criteria will appear in the search panel.
Click a Forest Preserve, Visitor Center, or Regional Trail to obtain further information.

5. What Forest Preserves, Visitor Centers, or Regional Trails are near my location?

Click the "Find or Set My Location" button (blue pin) in the upper left corner of the map and follow the instructions to set your location.
Click one of the search options (e.g., "Forest Preserves") in the search panel.
The search results will include the distance from your location for each option.
Click the "Distance" button at the top of the search panel to sort the list by distance.
The options closest to your location are listed at the top.
If you want to sort the list alphabetically again, click the "Name" button.

6. How do I get driving directions to a Forest Preserve, Visitor Center, or Regional Trail from my location?

Click the "Find or Set My Location" button (blue pin) in the upper left corner of the map and follow the instructions to set your location.
Click one of the search options (e.g., "Forest Preserves") in the search panel.
Click one of the options (e.g. a forest preserve) in the search results to view the details page for that option.
Click the "Get Driving Directions" button on the details page.
A new browser window or tab will appear with interactive driving directions in Google Maps.

7. I don't want to share my device's location. Can I type in a different address?

Click the "Find or Set My Location" button (blue pin) in the upper left corner of the map.
Type the address into the white text box.
Click the "Set Address" button to save your new settings. 

8. I put the wrong address in. Can I change it?

Click the "Find or Set My Location" button (blue pin) in the upper left corner of the map.
Type in the new address and click "Set Address" to save your new location.
Alternately, click the "Use Current Location" button to share your device's location.

9. I don't want my location set anymore. Can I clear it?

Click the "Find or Set My Location" button (blue pin) in the upper left corner of the map.
Click the "Clear Address" button to erase your current address settings.

Finding More Information

1. How do I learn more about a Forest Preserve?

Click a Forest Preserve icon on the map to display a "map tip" window with some basic information about the Forest Preserve.
Click the "More Information" link to display more information in the search panel.
Click the "Driving Directions" link to obtain driving directions using Google Maps.

2. How do I learn more about a Visitor Center?

Click a Visitor Center icon on the map to display a "map tip" window with some basic information about the Visitor Center.
Click the "More Information" link to display more information in the search panel.
Click the "Driving Directions" link to obtain driving directions using Google Maps.

3. How do I learn more about a Regional Trail?

Click the "Regional Trails" button in the search panel to display a list of regional trails.
Click on the name of a trail and the map will highlight the trail in red.
A list of trailheads and access points will also appear in the search panel.
Click on the name of a trailhead or access point to view more information.

4. How do I learn more about a picnic shelter?

Click a picnic shelter icon on the map.
A "map tip" window will appear with some basic information about the shelter.
Click the "Visit Shelter Web Page" link to open a new browser tab that displays more information on the District's Web site.

5. How do I learn more about a camping site?

Click a camping site icon on the map.
A "map tip" window will appear with some basic information about the camping site.
Click the "Visit Camping Web Page" link to open a new browser tab that displays more information about camping on the District's Web site.
Click the "View Camping Events" link to open a new browser tab that displays information about camping events on the District's website.

6. How do I visit a Forest Preserve Web page?

Find a Forest Preserve using the search panel.
Click the preserve's name in the search results to view the details page.
Click the "Visit Preserve Web Page" button to open a new browser tab with the Forest Preserve Web Page.

7. How do I visit a Visitor Center Web page?

Find a Visitor Center using the search panel.
Click the center's name in the search results to view the details page.
Click the "Visit Visitor Center Web Page" button to open a new browser tab with the Visitor Center Web Page.

8. How do I visit a Trail Web page?

Find a Trail using the search panel.
Click the trail name in the search results to display a list of trailheads and access points.
Click the name of a trailhead or access point to view the details page.
Click the "Visit Trail Web Page" button to open a new browser tab with the Trail Web Page.

9. How do I visit the Activities Web page?

Click the "Activities" button in the search panel to display an activities search screen.
Click the "Visit Activities Web Page" button at the bottom of the search panel to open the District's activities Web page.

10. How do I measure a distance, path, or route on the map?

Click the "Measure Tool" button located on the right side of the screen in the black bar above the map.
A "Measure Distance" window will appear with options for measuring distances, paths, and routes on the map.
Click on the menu to select your unit of measurements (e.g. Miles).
Click once on the map at your starting point.
Click once on the map at each change in direction along your path or route until it is complete.
The window will update with the measurements of each segment and the total distance.
Click the "Measurements" button (with the trash can icon) to remove the measurements from the map.
Click the "Close" button to close the window and stop measurements.

Customizing Functions

1. Can I change the background from streets to satellite view, just like Bing or Google Maps?

Click the "Change Basemap" button located on the right side of the screen in the black bar above the map to toggle between satelite and street view.
The map will refresh with the new background.

2. How do I save a location as a favorite?

Make sure the location you want to save is visible on the map.
Click the "Favorites" button located on the right side of the screen in the black bar above the map.
A "Favorites" window will appear with options for adding, removing, and finding favorite locations.
Click the pencil to edit the example favorite (or any existing favorite).
Type in a name for your favorite in the black box and press Enter or Return on your keyboard.
The saved favorite will now be added to the list for future reference.
Click the "Add Favorite" button to create additional favorites.
Repeat this process for each location on the map that you wish to save.

3. How do I find a location I previously saved as a favorite?

Click the "Favorites" button located on the right side of the screen in the black bar above the map.
A "Favorites" window will appear with a list of your previously saved favorites.
Click the name of a favorite to move the map to its location.

4. I have too many saved favorites. Can I delete some of them?

Click the "Favorites" button located on the right side of the screen in the black bar above the map.
A "Favorites" window will appear with a list of your previously saved favorites.
Click the grey "X" next to the name of a favorite to delete it from the saved list.

5. How do I add notes to my map?

Click the "Markup Tools" button located on the right side of the screen in the black bar above the map to display a pop-up window with a menu of markup tools.
Use the tools provided to add lines, point, shapes, and text to your map.
For example, the "Point" tool lets you add a point to the map.
Click the "Close" button to close the markup window when you are done.

6. How do I clear my notes off the map?

Click the "Markup Tools" button located on the right side of the screen in the black bar above the map to display a pop-up window with a menu of markup tools.
Click the "Graphics" button (with the trash can icon) to remove all graphics and text from the map.

7. How do I permanently save my notes?

Notes can only be permanently saved by exporting your map and saving or printing it. Instructions for exporting your map can be found below under “Sharing Functions,” question 1.

Sharing Functions

1. How do I download and/or print my map?

Click the "Export Map" button located on the right side of the screen in the black bar above the map to display a pop-up window with options for exporting your map.
Type the title of your map into the text box.
Click the drop down menus to select the output format and orientation.
Click the "Generate Map" button to start the map creation process.
The computer will create the map and display it for you.
Save the generated map to your computer.

Note: Pop-ups must be enabled to view the map.
See our troubleshooting questions if you need help enabling pop-ups for this site.

2. How do I share my map?

Click the "Share Map" button located on the right side of the screen in the black bar above the map to display a pop-up window with options for sharing your map.
Click one of the first three buttons to share your map on Twitter, Facebook, Google+.
Click the fourth button to obtain a link that you can share via email or other social media.
Click the grey "X" to close this window.

Troubleshooting

1. Why are parts of my map or markup cut off when I export it to a PDF?

When you create a map, the size of the map is equal to the size of your Web browser window.
When the map is exported to a PDF, it is cropped to fit on 8.5x11-inch paper, which may be smaller than the size of your browser window. To correct this, try zooming in or out or panning the map to center the area you wish to capture, then export the map to PDF.

2. How do I allow pop-ups in my web browser?

Click or tap the link next to your web browser's to open up a new window with instructions on enabling pop-ups.

Mozilla Firefox: https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/pop-blocker-settings-exceptions-troubleshooting
Google Chrome: https://support.google.com/chrome/answer/95472?hl=en
Apple Safari: https://support.apple.com/kb/PH19284?locale=en_US
Internet Explorer: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/internet-explorer/ie-security-privacy-settings

3. Why isn't the website working properly on my Kindle Silk browser?

Unfortunately, the Kindle Silk browser does not fully support the District's interactive map.
A known issue is that the buttons on the home page are extremely long and the pictures do not fill the buttons.
We recommend either using Mozilla Firefox or Google Chrome on your Kindle or using another supported device.

4. Why doesn't the website look right on my phone in landscape (widescreen) view?

The District's interactive map is designed to be responsive to screens of different sizes and orientations.
However, the responsive design is optimized for viewing in portrait orientation on mobile devices and may exhibit problems when viewed in widescreen mode.

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