A State Park a mile from where I live was closed today, indefinitely.

[Mike 03]

The headlines in my local paper spell it out with accuracy:

"(name of park) faces indefinite closure."

"...re-opening depends on state park budget turnaround."

This is depressing because this is a beautiful area that deserves to be tended and appreciated. Now apparently it will be neither tended nor appreciated. Thirty-eight park employees have been fired, in spite of the fact that visitations to this park account for more than $3.6 million dollars revenue for our portion of this county. And that's a lot of money around here.

And my park is not the only one being shut down around here.

[Critters2]

1. What state?

Illinois closed, I think it was 11 state parks or historical sites late in 2008. Some think it was a political act by Blago, and they may be reopened. The closings really hurt some small towns. And seemed shortsighted to me. State parks do bring in tourist dollars, and employ people, after all.

I'm sorry to hear your area has been hit by this.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

5. I wrote to the governor

and signed petitions to keep the parks open, and very pointedly said that I was from Arkansas; my visits to the Illinois state parks mean $$$ for the state. Glad to hear they might reopen them.

[Critters2]

8. Quinn says he wants to. Not sure what kind of legislative action

it'll take, but a lot of people think it'll happen before summer. One of my parishioners lost his job with the closing of Illini State Park, but is hoping to get hired on at Starved Rock. Another was fortunate enough to get transferred to Buffalo Rock State Park. It doesn't hurt us too badly because we have Starved Rock right here, which is the most popular park in the state. Other areas really felt it. Blago should be ashamed...but isn't, apparently.

[Mike 03]

10. Arizona. This park is is northern AZ, but there have been dozens of parks

hit.

I'm sorry you and others here have been affected as well.

Even the Tee-Shirt sales alone helped this area to get through hard times, but this is definitely going to be bad news.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

2. Do you live in Illinois?

I was saddened to read how many lovely parks, most of which I have visited, are closing there. I shudder to think what will happen to the areas.

[Mike 03]

12. I'm so sorry to hear about what has happened in Illinois. That is terrible news.

No, I'm in Arizona.

It's tragic when then these parks close, and I will be keeping IL in my thoughts, because it is obvious you have been terribly hard-hit.

[tanngrisnir3]

3. So does this mean there's no one to stop you from entering and...

enjoying it responsibly?

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

6. Or entering and creating mischief?

That's what worries me. Even if it is a wilderness area, trails must be maintained. If the park includes historic structures, there is a possibility of vandalism.

[tanngrisnir3]

9. Perhaps. But there's a chance of vandalism happening if it's open....

or not. Anywhere in the park. Actually, especially if it's not.

So, again, you being the responsible citizen, you can likely still enjoy this area w/no consequences, correct?

Seems that way to me.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

17. there are always consequences to your actions n/t

[tanngrisnir3]

18. Indeed. Waking up every morning involves that as well.

[madrchsod]

11. you are subject to arrest at a closed state park

[tanngrisnir3]

13. Of course. But not if there's no one there at all.

[ProudToBeBlueInRhody]

4. So what does that mean?

The area is shut off to the public, or they simply won't maintain the facilities?

Either way, a bad situation.

[leftyclimber]

14. Probably both.

They'll lock up the facilities and close and lock the gate(s) so motor vehicle traffic can't enter. Not knowing the park in question, unauthorized mountain bike or ATV trails might pop up. The area has the potential to become a target for vandalism and other property crimes and, if my experience with neglected public recreational areas in other places holds true, will probably become a popular place for illegal activities (drug deals, kids using it as the new "spot to sneak off to and drink beer and throw empties all over the place," stuff like that).

[ProudToBeBlueInRhody]

15. As someone who worked in a state park for ten years.....

....I can tell you that people do shit in there they would never think to do on their own property. I can't imagine the place I used to work at unsupervised during the summer.

[leftyclimber]

16. Same thing with federal lands

It's that whole "public land isn't mine" attitude in action.

:(

[leftyclimber]

7. Sad. Hopefully there won't be a lot of illegal use

that degrades this special place while it is closed and the state will reopen it when they can afford to.

I hope the nearby communities don't suffer too much from the economic losses that come with this sort of territory. There's already been so much visitation downturn to parks and protected areas with the gas prices being so ludicrous last summer, then this.

:(