Rolling hills provide excellent opportunities for tobogganing and sleighing.

WINTER SPORTS IN ILLINOIS

By Betty Guyer

Winter sports in Illinois State Park recreational areas are becoming more popular every year with the emphasis on ski lodge vacations, and winter camping.

Snowmobiling enthusiasts and clubs have found the state parks ideally suited for their activities. The Division of Parks and Memorials has responded to the requests of those interested in this comparatively new sport by marking trails in the following parks:

Kickapoo, Hennepin Canal, Lake Le-Aqua-Na, Rock Cut, Starved Rock, White Pines, Apple River Canyon, Mississippi Palisades, Argyle Lake, Illinois Beach, Chain O'Lakes, Kankakee River and Silver Springs State Park.

SILVER SPRINGS

Most of these parks used for winter sports are located in the northern portion of the state. Silver Springs State Park serves as a good example of the progressive action being undertaken by the Division of Parks and Memorials in responding to citizen requests. The demand is more critical in the northern portion of the state due to population density and shortages of state park recreational areas.

When the possibility of a 1250 acre park on the Fox River became apparent, the long range planning division of the Department of Conservation analyzed all facets of location, purchase and development. After this analysis, recommendations were made for immediate action. As a result, 90 days after the purchase, the park was opened for limited use.

Silver Springs State Park is an hour's drive from Chicago via the tollroads and promises much in recreational facilities to come in future developments. At this time only 400 acres are accessible to the public. Seven small fishing lakes and the Fox River bank are available to fisherman and picnickers, in addition to the snowmobile trail. There are no boat launching facilities or camping facilities at this time.

Mr. and Mrs. Dick Feeney, former owners, expected the property to become another suburban development and were pleasantly surprised to find the state was buying it for a recreational center for Illinois residents. The Feeneys moved to LaGrange and their vacated home is now serving as the educational center for the Kendall County Nature Education program. This program is one of the first state park cooperative programs initiated with a County school system.

Betty Guyer is Public Relations Director for the Division of Parks and Memorials, Department of Conservation, State of Illinois.

Illinois Parks and Recreation 4 January/February 1971

SNOWMOBILE TRAILS MARKED

Careful review of areas to be used for snowmobile trails was necessary to eliminate hazards that might cause serious accidents. The trails were marked during the summer of 1970 when hazards were visible without snow cover.

Since snowmobiling is a comparatively new sport in Illinois, regulations for the use of areas have not been defined.

Several snowmobile clubs have cooperated with the Department of Conservation in suggesting regulations. After a comparative study, with those being used in other northern states, these regulations will be submitted to the next session of the legislature for legislative action. In the meantime, regulations are listed as follows for those using snowmobiles in the properly assigned areas:

Snowmobiling, a comparatively new sport in Illinois, is becoming increasingly popular.

IT IS UNLAWFUL:

1. For any person to enter any snowmobile trail without first registering each day the responsible user or owner at the designated registration station.

2. For any person to operate any snowmobile in or on any portion of a park or recreation area other than trails or areas designated for snowmobile use.

3. For any person to operate any snowmobile in any portion of a designated nature preserve area.

4. For any person to operate any snowmobile in any portion of a park or recreation area managed by the Department of Conservation when such park or area has been closed to public use.

5. For any person to operate any snowmobile upon the frozen surface of any waters in a park or recreation area, except when trail design and construction make such limited use necessary for trail continuance.

6. For any person to operate any snowmobile in any portion of a park or recreation area with less than four inches of snow cover.

7. For any person to have or carry any firearm, air gun, or bow and arrow in or on any snowmobile unless such fire arm or air gun is unloaded and enclosed in a case, or such bow is unstrung.

8. For any person to hunt any bird or animal by the use of or from any snowmobile.

9. For any person to operate any snowmobile at a rate of speed too fast for conditions.

10. For any person to operate any snowmobile in a careless, reckless or negligent manner.

11. For any person operating any snowmobile to cross any other trail, street, road or highway unless first coming to a complete stop.

12. For any person to operate any snowmobile while under the influence of intoxicating beverages or narcotics or dangerous drugs.

13. For any person to operate any snowmobile between the hours of sunset and sunrise without at least one lighted headlamp and one lighted tail lamp.

These regulations will be posted at each of the parks listed for snowmobiling.

Illinois Parks and Recreation 5 January/February 1971