Touring - Illinois Governor Proposes Closing Hennepin Canal!

This may not be news to locals, but the governor of Illinois is proposing closing the Hennepin Canal, along with 10 other state parks. I had the pleasure of riding the canal towpath this past weekend, as I have inlaws that live about a mile from the canal. I was surprised to see the announcement of the governors proposal in the local paper (Bureau County Republican, www.bcrnews.com (http://www.bcrnews.com)).

If you haven't ridden the canal, it is much different than many converted canal towpaths, as almost all of the canal is still in tact, in almost fully operational condition (lock doors have been removed). Because it is in such good shape, it has a much different (better) appearance than the I & M canal (which I also rode last week). The I & M is mainly a dry grass gully (where it is maintained). Where it is not maintained, it is basically overgrown with scrub brush, weeds, and trees. The I & M is worth the ride and is nice as it runs right through several small towns along the way (the Hennepin tends to run through the countryside).

If you are interested in supporting saving the Hennepin Canal, you can find out more at http://fhcanal.home.mchsi.com/

According to the website, the canal will close November 30th!!

Geez -

How much warning did they give?
I suggest that you counter by arguing that the state will save far more money closing I-80.

The Hennepin Canal is an essential corridor for safe cycling.
Tell them that if they close it, groups will seek to block future federal transportation funds under ISTEA and TEA-21 which requires multimodal transportation funding.

I hate to be an arsewhole, but it seems that is the only way to do anything any more.
If you are nice and polite - you end up being roadkill.

Having ridden both the I and M, the Hennepin and the Hennepin Feeder Canal extensively, I can't agree with you more. A fine Governor we have :( We recently submitted over 24,000 signatures to Springfield in order to display our support for keeping the parks open. It's not likely that they will be closed but the staffing has already been cut to the bone. This is simply a power play and ongoing battle between the Governor and the House Majority leader. It's really sad state of affairs (pun intended).

I was surprised/disappointed that the visitor center on the Hennepin was closed. Locals told me it has been closed for three years (I am not sure that is correct). But it was closed at 1PM on a nice sunny Saturday. I had planned to recharge my water there since the Hennepin goes through the countryside (no towns). Oops...

This horsehockey governor would do better, and save more by living in Springfield, rather than commute from Chicago. Talk about wasitng money, energy, and time - this is really stupid.