Friday, August 29, 2008 8:34 PM CDT
Possible closing of Wolf Creek, Hidden Springs angers residents
By NATHANIEL WEST, Staff Writer
nwest@jg-tc.com
WINDSOR — After learning that Gov. Rod Blagojevich wants to close Wolf Creek State Park, which in turn would completely shut down Wolf Creek Riding Stables, owner Kelly Bland is champing at the bit to begin the battle to save her business.
“I have just begun my fight with the governor,” Bland said Thursday afternoon.
She’s not the only one.
State lawmakers vowed to fight the closure of Wolf Creek State Park and Hidden Springs State Forest in Shelby County, both of which appear on a list of recreational facilities apparently slated to get the ax.
However, according to state Rep. Bob Flider, D-Mt. Zion, details are still very sketchy. In fact, he had to hear about the closings from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources following a fruitless call to the governor’s office.
“He didn’t even brief area legislators about it, which seems to me to be very poor form,” Flider said of the governor, a fellow Democrat.
“There are no details on this — what’s permanent, what’s temporary,” Flider added. He also said it is no coincidence that word of the closings went out while the governor is “out giving hugs” at the Democratic National Convention.
The two Shelby County facilities are among about two dozen state parks and other sites to be closed in October and November as a result of the state’s ongoing budget crisis.
Flider said he and other lawmakers are investigating whether the actions violate the State Facilities Closure Act, which requires hearings prior to turning off the proverbial switch. “This isn’t a decision (the governor) makes arbitrarily without a good fight,” said Flider.
Local tourism officials, meanwhile, said they are worried and angry.
Just this year, Bland won a five-year state contract to re-open the riding stables within Wolf Creek State Park, and she committed to $7,500 in capital improvements over the life of the agreement. She has already borrowed and invested that money, renovating a dilapidated barn, utilities and fencing.
The stables were slated to be mothballed for the year anyway on Nov. 1 — the date given for the state park closings — and then reopen April 1. So Bland believes she has five months to protest.
“Look what I might lose,” she said.
Freddie Fry, director of the Shelby County Office of Tourism, said, “Any recreation we lose is of course going to diminish us (and) put many businesses in jeopardy.”
Across Lake Shelbyville from Wolf Creek State Park are the three cabins that make up Wolf Creek Lodge. While owner Bruce Steinke is not too upset about a direct loss of business because of the park’s closure, the potential area-wide effects do concern him — especially given the popularity of Lake Shelbyville facilities.
“There’s not an empty room or camping spot in all of the state (parks) this weekend,” said Steinke. The closings “will have a direct bearing on the economic development for the entire area.”
In rural Strasburg near Hidden Springs State Forest, The Timbers Restaurant and Lodge caters to family reunions, corporate retreats and other outings, said owner Kathy Lessaris. Like Steinke, she does not rely directly on the state facility, which only attracts an average of two groups of hunters to her lodge each year.
But Lessaris also is fearful of the consequences the closings could have on the region. “I think it’s a huge blow to the whole area,” she said.
She added that, as its name implies, Hidden Springs State Forest “has always been a great kept secret.
“I guess now it’s really going to be secret.”
Contact Nathaniel West at nwest@jg-tc.com or 238-6860.
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medic57 wrote on Aug 29, 2008 10:56 AM: