Ferne Clyffe State Park Remains Closed Due to Ice Storm Damage

Some areas of southern Illinois park to reopen February 29

GOREVILLE, IL – Ferne Clyffe State Park in Johnson County remains closed while cleanup continues from damage caused by a severe ice storm. The storm that struck southern Illinois earlier this month did significant damage to trees throughout the park.

Site staff has found only minor damage to buildings and facilities, but all areas of the park – including roads, campgrounds, picnic areas, trails and day-use areas – have limbs or whole trees damaged by ice. The tree damage poses potential hazards since many of the trees have broken limbs hanging above ground. In addition, entire trees are down or leaning over due to saturated soil conditions below the ice-covered tree tops. These trees also pose potential hazards and are blocking roads and public use areas.

Illinois Department of Natural Resources crews continue working to remove potentially hazardous trees. Portions of the park will reopen for public use beginning February 29. At that time, the main park road into Deer Ridge Campground will be reopened. The first loop in Deer Ridge Campground, as well as the Blackjack Oak Trail, will also be reopened.

All other areas within Ferne Clyffe will reopen as staff completes an inventory of damage and removes potentially hazardous trees. As always, park visitors should use caution at all times when visiting IDNR sites.

For more information regarding the storm-damage cleanup status and reopening of facilities at Ferne Clyffe State Park, call the park office at 618/995-2411 or check the Ferne Clyffe page on the IDNR website at http://dnr.state.il.us/lands/landmgt/
PARKS/R5/FERNE.HTM.

In addition, Trail of Tears State Forest in Union County remains closed to due similar tree damage resulting from the storm.

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