Will County Board's message to Springfield: ‘Keep state park open'

JOLIET - The Will County Board unanimously passed a resolution Thursday strongly opposing the closing of Channahon Parkway State Park. The closing of the park was recently cited by Governor Rod Blagojevich as a means to cut spending in the Illinois Depart-ment of Natural Re-sources' operating budget. In total, 11 state parks and 13 historic sites throughout the state will face closure by the end of November. “If the state could find the money to open the park in 1932, there is absolutely no reason they can't find the money to keep it open in 2008,” said board member Don Gould (R-Shorewood). Channahon Parkway State Park is the official trailhead for the Illinois & Michigan Canal State Trail and plays a vital role in the accessibility and fu