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Prairie Lake campground improvements at Jim Edgar
Panther Creek State Fish and Wildlife Area
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[MAY
12, 2004]
SPRINGFIELD -- On May 4
Gov. Rod Blagojevich announced a $333,500 project for improved access and
upgraded facilities at the Prairie Lake campground and day use area at Jim
Edgar Panther Creek State Fish and Wildlife Area, located near Chandlerville
in Cass County.
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"The beautiful 210-acre Prairie Lake at
Jim Edgar Panther Creek has proven to be a very popular destination
for site visitors, including families, mountain bike enthusiasts,
hikers, anglers and hunters who enjoy camping," Gov. Blagojevich
said. "These capital fund projects will enhance the campground, as
well as provide easier access for visitors to the nearby day use
area shelter and to the lake itself. The improvements will mean a
more enjoyable outdoor experience for campers, picnickers and other
site visitors."
Among the improvements:
- The campground parking area will
be expanded to provide more space for vehicles and boat trailers.
The campground has become a popular destination for boaters
because of its lakeside location and boat docks available at the
campground.
- Electrical hookups are being
upgraded at a number of campsites to provide 50-amp service to
visitors using larger motor homes.
- Patio pads will be installed
adjacent to the nine rustic cabins located at the campground.
- A canoe access will be added at
the north end of Prairie Lake.
- An accessible pathway and a
vehicle drive and drop-off area will be added near the large
lakeside shelter located in the Prairie Lake day use area.
- Drainage will be improved on the
campground road to prevent damage to the road and landscaping.
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"These improvements will make it easier
for those who use the campground to park their vehicles and boat
trailers nearby," said Illinois Department of Natural Resources
Director Joel Brunsvold. "The new driveway from the day use area
parking lot to the lakeside shelter will enable visitors with
disabilities and those with mobility difficulties to enjoy a picnic
or party at the shelter."
The $333,500 capital improvement
project will be managed by the Illinois Capital Development Board.
While construction work will be ongoing during the site's busy
spring and summer season, the campground will remain open and the
inconvenience to visitors should be at a minimum.
The 16,550-acre Jim Edgar Panther Creek
State Fish and Wildlife Area spans 26 square miles of rolling
terrain in Cass County. The site features mature forest, open
fields, grassland, rare hill prairie, lakes, ponds, streams and
trails. Recreation offerings include hunting, fishing, boating,
biking, hiking, horseback riding, picnicking and camping. The site
welcomed more than 600,000 visitors last year.
For more
information, contact the Jim Edgar Panther Creek State Fish and
Wildlife Area, 10149 County Highway 11, Chandlerville, IL 62627;
phone (217) 452-7741; e-mail
R4parks@dnrmail.state.il.us; or visit
http://dnr.state.il.us/lands/landmgt/
PARKS/R4/jepc.htm.
[Illinois
Department of Natural Resources
news release]
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