OAKWOOD — In late August, Gov. Rod Blagojevich announced the impending closure of 11 state parks and 13 historic sites in order to balance the strained state budget.

Originally scheduled for Nov. 1, the park closings have been moved back to the end of this month. Under the plan, one employee would remain at each of the sites and parks for security and maintenance.

While the proposed shutdowns would be a blow to the entire state, their impact would hit closest to home at Kickapoo State Park in Oakwood, about 25 minutes east of Champaign-Urbana. The Gargoyle confirmed with park officials today that Kickapoo is still scheduled to be closed as of Dec. 1.

A twilight view of the Middle Fork River. Gargoyle photo by Hadley Hauser (click to enlarge)

Boasting 22 lakes and a stunning stretch of the Middle Fork River, Kickapoo is a long-time magnet for local fishing, boating, and camping enthusiasts.

Its rugged terrain also provides some perfect courses for area running clubs and is the site of various high school cross country meets, including the Class 1A St. Joseph regional meet that the Uni boys won on Oct. 25.

The Middle Fork River was the first river in Illinois to be included in the National Wild Scenic Rivers System.

Anyone canoeing or tubing on the Middle Fork within the boundaries of Kickapoo State Park can't help but notice its pristine beauty. There are portions of this river and its shorelines that appear to be entirely unspoiled by human development.

While long-time park visitors are outraged by the budget cuts, many people are faced with losing their jobs or businesses because of them.

One such case is Uni alum and former mayor of Urbana Tod Satterthwaite (Class of 1971). He is the co-owner of the Kickapoo Landing boat rental business in Kickapoo State Park.

Over the course of a phone interview with the Gargoyle, Satterthwaite shared his thoughts on the park closures, in general, and his specific situation at Kickapoo.

One man's view

Tod Satterthwaite's canoe rental business within Kickapoo State Park. Gargoyle photo by Hadley Hauser (click to enlarge)

Satterthwaite's initial passion for outdoor fitness and recreation began several years ago when he started canoeing and kayaking with friends on the Middle Fork River.

When he was presented with a business opportunity that capitalized on these interests in 2002, he jumped at the chance of starting the Kickapoo Landing business with his sister and a third partner.

Satterthwaite owns the business and corresponding boating equipment, but the state owns all of the park property, including the building.

Along with everyone else working at the park, news of the closure came as a surprise to Satterthwaite.

"I think it's absolutely tragic," he said. "It speaks very poorly of our state, that we're in a position that we're closing down the state parks. That's like somebody coming in and telling you and your family that you have to close your back door, and you can't use your backyard anymore."

He went on to say that Kickapoo did provide all the comforts of a backyard to countless area residents. He added that Kickapoo offers outdoor opportunities that can't be found anywhere else in the East Central Illinois area. His extreme disappointment with the closure is echoed by many of the Kickapoo visitors he talks with.

"I've had a lot of people tell me that they don't want to live in an area, they don't want to live in a state, that is shutting down its parks," he stated. "[The administration] can't afford to draw the anger of common, everyday residents in this fashion. If they come to their senses at all, they'll realize the parks are something that they can't close."

When asked about statewide efforts to fight the closing, he applauded the public's immediate response. A variety of spontaneous reactions have evolved since the initial shock. Petitions, letters to editors, local talk show appearances, letters, calls to legislators and the governor, and Facebook groups are all current grass roots responses.

Uni reactions

A quiet beauty on Clear Pond. Gargoyle photo by Hadley Hauser (click to enlarge)

Some concerned Uni students are watching the situation closely. At the onset of the park closure crisis, senior Sarah Lake-Rayburn alerted the school to the situation and supplied a link to one of the ongoing petitions.

"We should cherish the few places left where people can't build a subdivision or a new high-rise or a factory or something, right? I think so," stated Lake-Rayburn in her e-mail.

A look at the various online groups dedicated to keeping Kickapoo open shows a number of familiar Uni names, especially alums.

The strong feelings that area residents have expressed for Kickapoo since its impending shutdown was announced aren't surprising.

"It's like a haven for me and my family, one of the few parks close enough to take a day trip to when we want to get away from the urban world for a while," Lake-Rayburn said.

While Uni students in general are not happy about the park shutdowns, some point out that there will be other consequences if the park funding is reinstated.

"I feel that the coverage of the park closures has been a bit biased," noted freshman Luke Karmazin. "People don't seem to realize that if you don't cut the budget for parks, something more important gets cut. I am against cutting the budget for the park, but I feel that people are only hearing one side of the issue."

What lies ahead

In response to the public's overall displeasure with the sudden closings, the Illinois House of Representatives and the Illinois Senate voted in September to restore park funding. They are convinced they have found alternative funds that will meet the state's budget shortfalls.

While these votes offer hope, the ultimate decision still rests with Blagojevich.

As the day of closure looms, Satterthwaite maintains a positive outlook. He views it as the "beginning of a discussion and not the end." Having experienced firsthand the extremes of political flashpoints, he thinks that even if the parks close as scheduled, they will ultimately reopen.

Regardless of its long-term future, Satterthwaite's canoe rental business closed for the season at the end of October, as it always has. Satterthwaite hopes that between now and the tentatively scheduled reopening of his business on April 1, everything will return to business as usual.