IDNR to reopen select sites May 1

SPRINGFIELD (WSIL) �� The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) will reopen select state parks, recreation areas, fish and wildlife areas and trails beginning May 1.

The phased reopening is part of the announced by Governor JB Pritzker Thursday. The order will be in effect for the month of May.

IDNR says visitors to the sites will be required to comply with social distancing guidelines and should bring alcohol-based hand sanitizer and face coverings.

Additional health and safety guidelines from Illinois Department of Natural Resources:

�� Practice social distancing by keeping at least six feet of distance between yourself and others;

�� Please stay home if you are sick or feeling any symptoms, such as fever, coughing, troubled breathing, and/or other flu-like symptoms;

�� Visit alone or with members of your household;

�� Stay local; visit parks that are closest to where you live;

�� If you arrive at a park and crowds are forming, please move to another area or return another time/day to visit;

�� Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash. If you don’t have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your upper arm/elbow.

IDNR Sites Reopening Beginning May 1:

Region 1 (Northwest Illinois): Argyle Lake State Park, Jubilee College State Park, Lowden State Park, Morrison-Rockwood State Park, Rock Island Trail, Shabbona Lake State Recreation Area.
Region 2 (Northeastern Illinois): Chain O�� Lakes State Park, Illinois and Michigan Canal State Trail, Kankakee River State Park, Moraine Hills State Park, North Point Marina.
Region 3 (East Central Illinois): Clinton Lake State Recreation Area, Eagle Creek State Park, Kickapoo State Recreation Area, Wolf Creek State Park.
Region 4 (West Central Illinois): Eldon Hazlet State Recreation Area, Jim Edgar Panther Creek State Fish and Wildlife Area, Sangchris Lake State Park, Siloam Springs State Park, Washington County State Recreation Area.
Region 5 (Southern Illinois): Fort Massac State Park, Giant City State Park, Stephen A. Forbes State Recreation Area, Wayne Fitzgerrell State Recreation Area.

The reopened sites will be open daily from sunrise until sunset beginning May 1.

"Visitors will be allowed to engage in activities such as wildlife observation, hiking, biking, equestrian use, fishing (both from the bank and boats) and mushroom collecting," said a release Thursday from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.

Visitor centers, campgrounds, playgrounds, beaches and concessions at the sites will remain closed. There will be no shelter reservations, interpretive educational programs, or special events until further notice.

All other IDNR sites, including state historic sites, will remain closed until further notice.