IDNR to close 11 state parks on Nov. 1
08-29-08, 03:12 PM
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IDNR to close 11 state parks on Nov. 1
Looks like our days of riding and/or visiting some parks may be coming to an end. Hennipen Canal Trail, Channahon Parkway State Park, Gebhart Woods and Illini State Park are slated to close down on Nov. 1st. due to our state's budget problems. Lots of officials are shocked by this news. Might see parts of the I&M Canal trail closed in spots where it runs by or thru these parks. (illini is on the other side of the Illinois River)
Last edited by patester242002; 08-29-08 at 03:19 PM.
08-29-08, 06:37 PM
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That can't be good for anybody.
https://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/h...ARK_S1.article
State closing two local parks
August 29, 2008
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By CHRISTINA CHAPMAN cchapman@scn1.com
MORRIS -- People only have two months left to enjoy nature at Gebhard Woods State Park in Morris and Channahon Parkway State Park because the two parks, and nine others in Illinois, will be closed and barred to visitors.
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources announced on Thursday the park closures caused by budget cuts from the governor's office.
"These decisions were not wanted by the DNR and they were not wanted by the governor's office, but with a budget that is not balanced and being $2.1 billion underfunded, they had to be made," said Chris McCloud, DNR spokesman.
With the 11 state park closures, 39 employees are losing their jobs. A single employee will stay at each park for "basic maintenance and security," McCloud said. But the parks will be gated and no visitors will be allowed.
Morris Mayor Dick Kopczick said the loss of the park will be devastating to residents of the city and surrounding communities.
"It's a tragedy. It is a sad day for all the people in this area," Kopczick said.
The Morris park is a place the mayor spent many afternoons fishing and picnicking as a child, but over the years the park has deteriorated due to lack of funding, he said. Closing the park altogether will cause more damage, he said.
"Are they going to close William G. Stratton Park and its boat landings, too?" Kopczick asked.
Channahon President Joe Cook and Kopczick are also concerned for the I&M Canal's future when the DNR closes the two parks along the canal and fires its employees. Many of these employees maintain the I&M Trail that runs from LaSalle past Rockdale.
McCloud said he could not answer how the canal would be maintained.
"Every park is different and these things will be considered," he said.
'Political gamesmanship'
"(Channahon Parkway State Park) has been a focal point of our community and a cherished gem as far back as I can remember and certainly as far back as anyone in Channahon can remember," Cook said.
Cook said he would be organizing a Save the Park rally and encourage people to contact their legislators.
"If you look at the list of parks, is it not more than a coincidence that they lie in districts where people are critical of the governor?" he asked. "It's political gamesmanship going on here."
The other state parks closing include Castle Rock State Park and Lowden State Park in Oregon; Hennepin Canal Parkway State Park in Sheffield; Illini State Park in Marseilles; Hidden Springs State Forrest in Strasburg; Kickapoo State Park in Oakwood; Moraine View State Park in Leroy; Weldon Springs State Park in Clinton; and Wolf Creek State Park in Windsor.
McCloud said the DNR tried to be more self-sufficient with its 2009 budget by proposing fee increases, but the proposals were denied.
McCloud said the DNR still has more than 300 state parks and conservation areas in the state that are free of charge to visit and utilize. Illinois is one of only eight states that still keeps their parks open for free.
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www.heraldnewsonline.com
https://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/h...ARK_S1.article
State closing two local parks
August 29, 2008
Recommend (2)
By CHRISTINA CHAPMAN cchapman@scn1.com
MORRIS -- People only have two months left to enjoy nature at Gebhard Woods State Park in Morris and Channahon Parkway State Park because the two parks, and nine others in Illinois, will be closed and barred to visitors.
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources announced on Thursday the park closures caused by budget cuts from the governor's office.
"These decisions were not wanted by the DNR and they were not wanted by the governor's office, but with a budget that is not balanced and being $2.1 billion underfunded, they had to be made," said Chris McCloud, DNR spokesman.
With the 11 state park closures, 39 employees are losing their jobs. A single employee will stay at each park for "basic maintenance and security," McCloud said. But the parks will be gated and no visitors will be allowed.
Morris Mayor Dick Kopczick said the loss of the park will be devastating to residents of the city and surrounding communities.
"It's a tragedy. It is a sad day for all the people in this area," Kopczick said.
The Morris park is a place the mayor spent many afternoons fishing and picnicking as a child, but over the years the park has deteriorated due to lack of funding, he said. Closing the park altogether will cause more damage, he said.
"Are they going to close William G. Stratton Park and its boat landings, too?" Kopczick asked.
Channahon President Joe Cook and Kopczick are also concerned for the I&M Canal's future when the DNR closes the two parks along the canal and fires its employees. Many of these employees maintain the I&M Trail that runs from LaSalle past Rockdale.
McCloud said he could not answer how the canal would be maintained.
"Every park is different and these things will be considered," he said.
'Political gamesmanship'
"(Channahon Parkway State Park) has been a focal point of our community and a cherished gem as far back as I can remember and certainly as far back as anyone in Channahon can remember," Cook said.
Cook said he would be organizing a Save the Park rally and encourage people to contact their legislators.
"If you look at the list of parks, is it not more than a coincidence that they lie in districts where people are critical of the governor?" he asked. "It's political gamesmanship going on here."
The other state parks closing include Castle Rock State Park and Lowden State Park in Oregon; Hennepin Canal Parkway State Park in Sheffield; Illini State Park in Marseilles; Hidden Springs State Forrest in Strasburg; Kickapoo State Park in Oakwood; Moraine View State Park in Leroy; Weldon Springs State Park in Clinton; and Wolf Creek State Park in Windsor.
McCloud said the DNR tried to be more self-sufficient with its 2009 budget by proposing fee increases, but the proposals were denied.
McCloud said the DNR still has more than 300 state parks and conservation areas in the state that are free of charge to visit and utilize. Illinois is one of only eight states that still keeps their parks open for free.
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www.heraldnewsonline.com
09-02-08, 02:41 PM
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We have the most idiotic governor in the US and one of the 5 most ineffective bureaucracies in the States. Yet Illinois folks keep re-electing them.
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