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State Parks or Amusement Parks? 
By PAUL H. LOBIK 
THIS SUMMER, FOR THE FIRST TIME in several years, we visited Illinois 
Beach State Park near Waukegan. Friends had told us of the monstrous 
lodge under construction near the Nature Atvea, and so we passed it with 
hardly a second glance. But as we drove north through the picnic area to- 
wards the beach house, we were astonished to see a barren, sandy area en- 
closed by a crude board fence. Inside several miserable ponies stood in the 
hot sun, stamping their hooves to drive off swarms of flies. A sign pro- 
claimed that here one could buy pony rides for the children. 
We inquired. Yes, this was a private concession, run on state land for 
personal profit. Furthermore, this was meant to be the first of a number of 
amusement concessions; there were plans for a miniature railroad line 
which would be built this winter around and through the Nature Area on 
the south side of the park! 
Later we consulted the Governor’s Advisory Committee on Illinois Beach 
State Park, and then the Illinois Dunesland Preservation Society. Neither 
organization knew anything about the amusement concessions or the con- 
templated invasion of the Nature Area. 
We wonder how many citizens of Illinois condone or approve this initial 
move to convert Illinois Beach State Park into another Coney Island. Some- 
how, we have always felt that this park was properly set aside for such 
good recreational purposes as swimming, hiking, picnicking, camping and 
nature study. There is plenty of private property around the park, outside 
of its borders, for amusement rides, side-shows, and similar carnival 
features. 
Illinois Beach State Park was originally established to preserve a mag- 
nificent sand beach, long stretches of low sand dunes, scrub oak forests, and 
extensive cat-tail swamps, along with unusual plant life and wild life. In 
fact, every Illinois State Park that we can think of was planned to pre- 
serve and protect some unique area of our natural landscape. There was no 
intention of setting aside these areas to create amusement concessions. 
The pony ride and the proposed miniature railroad at Illinois Beach 
represent the opening wedge in an attempt to desecrate and destroy our 
State Parks. If you feel, as we do, that amusement concessions do not be- 
long in Illinois Beach State Park, please write now to State Senator Robert 
McClory, 340 Prospect Avenue, Lake Bluff, Illinois. He has expressed in- 
terest in the development of Illinois Beach, and will take appropriate action. 
The men who have final responsibility for the development and protection 
of our State Parks are Governor William G. Stratton and Mr. Glen Palmer, 
Director of the Department of Conservation. Both may be reached at the 
State House, Springfield, Illinois. Copies of your letters directed to their 
attention will also do much to safeguard our State Parks. 
22W681 Tamarack Drive, Glen Ellyn, Il. 
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