Save Our Parks!!!

I just read today that Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich is shutting down 11 State Parks and 13 State historical sites making them a casualty of the state budget crisis. The parks include Kickapoo State Park in Oakwood, the site of numerous Kennekuk Road Runners' events, and Moraine View State Park near LeRoy, the site of the immensely popular Tri-Shark Classic triathlon. Also included on the list are Lincoln Log Cabin near my childhood home - Charleston.

Kickapoo park is also home to a fantastic series of singletrack mountain bike trails - something sorely lacking throughout central Illinois. It is slated to close November 1.

If you care about our quality of life, our opportunities for relaxation and recreation, our appreciation for the beauty of nature, and our ability to share these resources with our friends and families I encourage you to write to your representatives and senators to tell them that we won't let the Governor lock up our state parks and tell us to "keep out."

You can look up your Congress members and Senators here by zip code+4.

The list of casualties:
STATE HISTORIC SITES
— Dana-Thomas House, Springfield
— Lincoln log cabin near Charleston
— David Davis mansion, Bloomington
— Fort de Chartres, Randolph County
— Vandalia statehouse
— State center at Bishop Hill, Henry County
— Carl Sandburg birthplace, Galesburg
— Cahokia courthouse
— Bryant Cottage, Bement
— Jubilee College, near Peoria
— Apple River Fort, Elizabeth
— Fort Kaskaskia, Randolph County
— Pierre Menard home, Randolph County
STATE PARKS
— Castle Rock State Park, Oregon
— Lowden State Park, Oregon
— Hennepin Canal Parkway State Park, Sheffield
— Illini State Park, Marseilles
— Channahon Parkway State Park, Channahon
— Gebhard Woods State Park, Morris
— Hidden Springs State Forrest, Strasburg
— Kickapoo State Park, Oakwood
— Moraine View State Park, Leroy
— Weldon Springs State Park, Clinton
— Wolf Creek State Park, Windsor