Great Lakes - Channahon State Park and Gebhart Woods Closing Nov. 30th

http://www.morrisdailyherald.com/articles/2008/11/19/news/290amorgate.txt

Looks like Blago is gonna shut these parks down. And there's a hint that more state parks might shut too next year. Parts of the I & M Canal Trail will be basically closed between Channahon and Morris. (Travel at own risk since there likely will be no maintenace done. In other words, use the mountain bike on the trail and be prepared to walk bike over trees.)

wow.....that really stinks!

Well, the land will still be there, right? Think of it more as a wilderness now.

This sucks.

We, in Illinois must demand that the pollyticians start using our money better. And, that does not include closing parks and recreation facilities.

Part of that should include cutting out the weekly, and sometimes daily, helicopter or airplane rides back and forth between Springfield and Chicago (where he lives.....)

Blago needs to be thrown out of office and into prison. He's not getting along with his people. That's why it's taking too damn long. IMPEACH BLAGO!!!

Here's a petition website regarding the park closings.

http://www.standingupforillinois.org/saveourparks/

I found out about this earlier this year talking to another rider at Channahon when I went down there for a nice long ride (did Channahon - Joliet - Morris - Channahon). The trail will still exist but not be maintained, so tree falls etc. will not be cleared.

The caretakers are out of jobs on 11/30 too.

Already did svtmike.
Wish they would of clarify the status of the actual Hennipen Canal Trail and the state park separately. I would think it'll be real hard trying to keep people off the actual trail compared to the actual park that is near Sheffield in western Illinois. If the state park closures do take effect and last into spring, i bet the GITAP 2009 ride could be in jeopardy come summer since the planned route will use both the Hennipen and the I&M trails.

http://www.week.com/news/local/34840724.html

Looks like our state parks will remain open but the 13 historical sites will close as expected. May not be til January when the General Assembly comes back in session.

:backpedal:Channahon State Park, Gebhart Woods, Hennipen Canal Parkway and Kickapoo State Park will remain open. The 7 other state parks including Illini State Park in Marsailies will close as expected on the 30th. The I & M Canal Trail and Hennipen Canal Trail are safe from the closing list.

What other parks are scheduled to close?
I live down state and am wondering about some parks here.
Ain't blago a treat?

Here's the 7 Illinois state parks that will close on Nov. 30th:

Castle Rock State Pk. (Oregon)
Lowden State Pk. (Oregon)
Illini State Park (Marsailies-south side of Illinois River)
Moraine View State Pk. (Ellsworth)
Weldon Springs State Pk. (Clinton)
Wolf Creek State Pk. (near Findlay-east side of Lake Shelbyville)
Hidden Springs State Forest (Strasburg)


I'm happy that Blago decided to keep Channahon State Pk., Gebhart Woods and the Hennipen Canal Parkway open as well as Kickapoo. The 13 historical sites will close as planned at end of month. Let's hope he'll open the affected ones back up in the spring or not close more down. Blago's got a really low rating.