WREX.com – Rockford’s News LeaderGov. Quinn's announcement is good news for Ogle County parks

Gov. Quinn's announcement is good news for Ogle County parks

By Samantha Ptashkin

OGLE COUNTY (WREX) - Nearly three months after they close, Lowden and Castle Rock State Parks in Ogle County reopen their gates. Governor Pat Quinn made the announcement that restores funding to state parks so they can stay open.

Because the parks shut down in December, local businesses didn't get hit too hard. But with spring on the way, the parks reopening is welcome news.

Quinn said in a news conference, "We have perhaps among children and adults and everybody in our state a "nature deficit disorder" and we've got to cure that ailment and there's one way to do it. All of us have to get outside."

Now there are plenty of places for the people of Illinois to explore nature. Ogle County parks like Lowden and Castle Rock are among seven state parks the governor reopened. Marcia Heuer with the Oregon Chamber of Commerce says, "It's really crucial to have them open this far ahead so that people who call our office know that the parks are going to be open and they can start making plans."

When the parks closed December 1st,  nearly 300 people faced possible unemployment. And the community braced for a hit. Lowden takes in around $1.6 million in tourism each year. It's about $500,000 at Castle Rock. "They were seriously worried about reopening without being able to have the additional tourist traffic that these parks generate."

And Heuer is confident the governor will not close the parks again. "The statue is going to be lit tonight. He was cold and very cold and dark all winter long."

Governor Quinn won't say where the money to reopen the parks will come from, even as the state faces a $9 billion deficit.