Moraine View Forum Rally June 2016

[Silvertwinkie]

Originally Posted by 85MH325

And we're NOT using MY awning as a storm shelter again this year.

...let's hope we don't need it. I think that was by far the worst storm we've seen there in all these years. Even the drainage ditches filled within minutes.

[Silvertwinkie]

Not that I think I could happen, but this is Illinois, the state that has run nearly a year without a budget. I suspect several other parks will close as well before this budget proxy war in Springfield is over. Hopefully all will hold tight for the next 6 or so weeks, but this is somewhat disconcerting, particularly since Moraine was closed last time the budget was held hostage by now incarcerated ex-governor Blagojevich.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/l...420-story.html

[Airtandem]

I just read Eric's post on the possible closing of Illinois SP's. I saw where 2 were CLOSED today.
Any thoughts on a contingency plan if Moraine View closes? Jack as the leader or Maggie as she lives in the area Is there a county or private park?

[Lily&Me]

Comlara Park is just north of Bloomington, a decent county park but not as nice as Moraine View.

If Moraine View closes, there would likely be a run on available sites up there.


Maggie

[WGreg]

We have a group trip to Ramsey Lake State Park planned over July 4th. Ramsey was one of the parks said to have been closed. I called the park office yesterday and was told they are not closed, but the power has been tuned off for the State's failure to pay the bill. The campground is still open. It just has no power for now. As I understand it, the two parks said to be closed (Ramsey + another) receive power from the same utility which apparently, didn't want to float the State any longer. The IL DNR website currently indicates nothing unusual regarding Moraine View. Hopefully, it remains that way and the electric bills are paid for Ramsey and the other.

Greg

[jcanavera]

I remember I had checked into a park in nearby Rantiule. it was called Prarie Pines. It had 95 sites and is just south and a little east of Moraine View. That was my backup site when Moraine was in jeopardy.
http://www.village.rantoul.il.us/index.aspx?NID=373
Jack

[Silvertwinkie]

I just got off the phone with Moraine View.

The ranger told me the power is still on and garbage is still being picked up, but he said that it's entirely possible that they could shut off power and/or stop picking up garbage at anytime. None of the DNR's vendors have been paid to date. Should power be turned off and/or garbage pickup cease, the ranger told me outright that they would in fact close the park and it's really mainly based on the electricity and garbage vendors. Some vendors have cut power, and/or stopped garbage pickup at other DNR facilities, while other have not....yet. Though from what I read here, some parks still stayed open under these conditions, this ranger made it clear, Moraine wouldn't stay open if power and/or garbage services ceased.

So for now, we're ok, but I suspect we'll just need to keep an eye open as the situation could change at anytime.

[85MH325]

Originally Posted by jcanavera

I remember I had checked into a park in nearby Rantiule. it was called Prarie Pines. It had 95 sites and is just south and a little east of Moraine View. That was my backup site when Moraine was in jeopardy.
http://www.village.rantoul.il.us/index.aspx?NID=373
Jack

That looks like a really nice alternative, Jack.

[Airtandem]

I second it.

mike

[Airtandem]

another would be Clinton Lake; same exit as LeRoy but opposite direction.

[Silvertwinkie]

Originally Posted by Airtandem

another would be Clinton Lake; same exit as LeRoy but opposite direction.

Well, since it's near the nuke, we'd be assured of having electricity...

In all seriousness though, I think that if we pick an alternative, it should be a private campground, because if we're suggesting another DNR or state camping facility, I think we'd most likely be in the same boat, particularly with one just south of Moraine.

[knunut]

Prairie Pines reviews sound good .Shows a covered group shelter in pix.
Bring back Air Force memories when it was Chanute Air Force Base.

[jcanavera]

Prairie Pines in Rantoule is operated by the city of Rantoule so no budget issues there.

In the mean time we will keep our fingers crossed.

Jack

[Silvertwinkie]

I talked with Jack just a few minutes ago and for now we'll stay the status quo, but if we get another report of a state park closure, particularly near Moraine View, Rantoul looks to be the alternate.

I called the Rantoul campground and they do have 21 consecutive spots to accommodate us, but obviously, as our date draws closer, we may be somewhat staggered should we need to implement "Plan B". To me it's worth the risk because personally, I would hate to move away from Moraine-- it's such a great park......and the loop makes it just such a great rally spot, that and the lake, boat rental, beach, the woods, the hosts, rangers, the LeRoy BBQ cookoff etc, etc.

[jcanavera]

Originally Posted by Grosspoluter

Richard & Amy Quirk- we just reserved sight P-113
We rented it June 10 - 13 (Friday - Monday)

Just wanted to check your site number. I don't believe there is a P113. P11 or P13? I'm guessing it is P13.

Jack

[featherbedder]

When Il. gov. Blow hard closed parks and other venues was not be cause of lack of money but he had a snit about some of reps from districts, so closed them. First thing new gov. did was open all up. Rauner is no better or Madigan and Cullerton same boat all politicians that take stance my way or highway, and people pay for there childlisness.

[jcanavera]

Ok here is what I have so far. Let me know if you see any errors or have updates.

F1 Tikihut
F2 85MH325
F3 jcanavera
F4 Pickles
F5 Lily&Me
F6 let's party
F7 Airtandem
F8 pops
F9 knunut

P12 Mount'n Man
P13 Grosspoluter
P14 P&J
P15 maccamper
P16 featherbedder
P17 silverslppr
P18 DrRob
P19 mcair
P 20 Al- K4GLU
P 21 Diego
P22 Silvertwinkie
P23 let's play

E7 Greg

[jcanavera]

I'm glad Eric called. I am on the fence with this. One of the two closed parks is close to St. Louis and it's a recreational area. The lack of power isn't an issue with them, but the lack of trash hauling is particularly bad. Since it's in the metro area it draws a lot of fisherman and visitors and it definitely is closed. The local TV news folks did an interview with the folks at the park and those using it yesterday.

So I guess it depends upon the utility providing power to the park and the folks who handle their waste disposal service. So we are going to be on the edge on this and in my thinking if we find another park gets cut off, we may have to take the sure thing of a facility that is run by another entity other than the State of Illinois. This cut off of the public facilities may domino as other utilities and waste providers feel that cutoffs might strengthen their position on getting paid.

I welcome your thoughts as to whether we should ride this as long as we can hoping that the park will not close, or let the next park cutoff be our trigger to relocate. I think if we see a cut off of a facility in the area around Bloomington, we should go ahead and move since the utility and waste management service may also be serving the LeRoy area.

The problem is I don't know if we have exactly 21 reserved or 22. If it is 22, Rantoule only has 21 spots open which pulls it out of consideration (unless someone reserved is thinking of not coming).

Jack

[Al - K4GLU]

ea.

The problem is I don't know if we have exactly 21 reserved or 22. If it is 22, Rantoule only has 21 spots open which pulls it out of consideration (unless someone reserved is thinking of not coming).

Jack[/QUOTE]

Pretty sure I'm going to cancel. Am going to wait until next week to make the final decision. Will let you know for sure first of next week

[Airtandem]

Jack & Eric; I'm with you. Let's see what develops and go from there. It would / will be hard to leave the "homestead"
mike