Illinoistocht

There are now two easy-to-sign petitions that are available online - please pass along.  

The first petition is specific to the Hennepin Canal from the Friends of the Hennepin Canal:  http://www.gopetition.com/online/21781.html

The second petition is for all the parks being closed, which includes the Hennepin as well as several of the state parks that adjoin the I&M trail.
On Wednesday, Lt. Governor Pat Quinn launched the www.SaveOurStateParks.org website and online petition drive. 

If you have not signed our petition, please visit SaveOurStateParks.org and send a strong message to Gov. Rod Blagojevich to NOT CLOSE DOWN our 11 Illinois state parks and 13 historic sites.

The State of Illinois is having a budget crisis, and may close several parks, including the Hennepin.  I recently received this clarification from the Friends of the Hennepin Canal as to whether this meant just Visitors Center and immediate area or the entire canal parkway:
 
"Folks - it means the WHOLE canal.  14 of the 15 employees have been given pink slips, effective Nov 1.  That leaves Steve Moser, site superintendent, to maintain the whole length of the canal and the feeder.  This is an impossible task for one person.  Supposedly NO TRESPASSING signs will be posted and there will be a fine for anyone caught on the canal (or any of the other 10 state parks that are also being affected by this decision) during the period it is closed.  That means fishermen can't fish, bikers can't bike, hikers can't hike, equestrians can't ride, and so on."
 
Despite Illinois being cold enough to enjoy an ice skating marathon skate, the park may be closed.  The US equivalent of $650mm will be spent on the canals in the Dutch province of Friesland (see the NY Times link regarding the Elfstedentocht on my links page).   In the US, large somes are now spent on the Erie Canal recreational programs (boating, biking, kayaking) and associated maintenance.   Illinois will have 1 guy. 

So if you live in Illinois, write or contact your legislature to support restoring the funds. 

Dec 2008 UPDATE:  4 of the 11 parks threatened with closure, including the Hennepin, had their funding restored in late November.  See subsequent blog posts.