U. S. Grant Civil War Unit participating in the U. S. Grant Civil War Cantonment held at Mississippi Palisades State Park.

State Parks Feature Summer Recreation Programs By Betty Guyer

CAMPERS AND CITIZENS Of Illinois who have the opportunity to tour the State Park Recreational areas will agree that Illinois has scenery to match all of the neighboring states. Illinois has rocky gorges and canyons, colorful foliage displays, scenic drives, breathtaking sunsets, quiet pine forests, nature preserves, winding streams, and quiet lakes.

In addition, campers visiting the state of Illinois, can utilize the interpretive-recreation programs in many of the parks. These include summer programs and year around programs at special interpretive centers, as well as special events for family fun. Last year's Traders Rendezvous at Fort de Chartres proved so popular, requests have been coming in for advance reservations for 1971. Additional programs are in the process of development under the supervisions of the Interpretive-Recreation section.

The 1971 Summer Recreation program is designed to provide daily recreational and educational activities for the children of campers from the ages of 7 to 14. Activities in the selected state parks will have their major emphasis placed upon relating the child to his environment through a specific activity.

In 1970 the summer program was undertaken on an experimental basis, the success of which, warranted an expansion from six parks in 1970 to 12 parks for the 1971 season. Parks selected for the summer program in 1971 are Mississippi Palisades, Rock Cut, Chain O'Lakes, Illinois Beach, Starved Rock, Kankakee, Argyle Lake, Lincoln's New Salem, Kickapoo, Pere Marquette, Ramsey Lake and Lincoln Trail.

Activities within individual parks began June 15, 1971 and will terminate September 6, 1971. Within each park listed above there will be a Summer Recreation Program Center, centrally located near the campground. Activities will be presented from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Tuesday through Sunday.

There will be two summer recreation program leaders located at each summer program site. These individuals are selected from Illinois colleges and either have college degrees in the biological sciences, physical sciences, outdoor education, recreation - interpretation or are working toward their bachelors or masters degrees. The summer recreation leader has the responsibility within his assigned parks to supervise and implement the summer program.

SATURDAY MOVIES

Another facet of the program is to provide activities for the family group. Saturday evening movies will be provided within the camping area, in conjunction with other activities such as square dancing, folk dancing, theater groups presentations and craft presentations.

To make camping more pleasurable, in 1971, campers in Illinois will also find expanded facilities available to them. Parks that were opened in 1970 included Eldon Hazlett State Park at Carlyle Lake, Lake Shelbyville, Silver Springs, and the Hennepin Canal areas. Camping is not available at the last two areas, but fishing, picnicking, and hiking activities are available. There are now 74 state park recreational areas in various stages of development for park users. Some areas have already been developed, some are under development, and some have been purchased and are in the process of planning and development. The latter is necessary so that new areas purchased can be developed for the most efficient use of the sites for the greatest proportion of users.

Sam Dale Conservation Area and Spring Lake Conservation Area both had new road projects in the summer of 1970.

CAMPGROUND DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS

Bids were let and campground development projects were begun in the fall of 1970 at four state parks and one conservation area. They include Rock Cut, Lake Le-Aqua-Na, Chain O'Lakes, Ramsey Lake State Parks, and Washington County Conservation Area.

Rock Cut State Park plans call for road improvements, a new well for a camp utility building to be built soon, and a trailer sanitary disposal station.

At Chain O'Lakes, a road for the camping areas will be improved and a trailer sanitary disposal station and a well will be constructed.

Tug of War at one of summer special events Scheduled as part of the Traders Rendezvous at Fort de Chartres State Park.

Camping area developments for Pere Marquette State Park near Grafton, Ramsey Lake State Park in Fayette County, Lake Le-Aqua-Na near Lena, and Washington County Conservation Area near Nashville, will be constructed. They will include surfaced trailer pads, electrical power outlets for each pad, water distribution systems for drinking fountains and hydrants, and sewage treatment facilities.

Campers visting the state of Illinois will appreciate the care given to thoughtful development and preservation of natural sites. Development of the many new sites purchased, thus requires much attention and time from the various divisions of planning with its landscape engineers, engineering and park managers for recreational development to fulfill the ultimate potential of each site. Those who appreciate the wilderness for its scenic and recreational qualities, also appreciate this care given to the thoughtful development of natural sites. Any undue destruction of trees, terrain, or natural beauty must be avoided. In some instances planning and development cannot keep up with the demands made by the public and stop-gap measures are necessary such as pit privies in remote areas where sanitary sewage systems are impractical or virtually impossible to install.

Scene from National Canoe Championships held at Rock Cut State Park.

These projects are part of state park campground improvements promised by Governor Richard B. Ogilvie. They cannot proceed as rapidly as many people hope, because specifications must be checked and rechecked by several state agencies to be sure all requirements are met.

Other projects are in the process of being bid over the winter months and construction will be implemented as rapidly as they can be made acceptable to all governmental agencies involved. The utility buildings have been redesigned to bring the cost estimates down to acceptable levels.

Betty Guyer is Public Information Officer for the Dept. of Conservation.

Illinois Parks and Recreation    13    July/August, 1971