CARLYLE LAKE – Due to several years of reduced budgets by the State of Illinois and lack of maintenance, the South Shore State Park facilities have become degraded, resulting in unsafe conditions and minimal useable recreation facilities.  As a result, the Corps of Engineers (COE) has terminated the lease and closed the area to allow for work to be completed to make the area safe for public access.  A portion of the area is scheduled to reopen in 2017.

Jackie Taylor, the Corps of Engineers’ assistant project manager at Carlyle Lake, said, “The intent was for the state to provide recreation opportunities to the public,” Obviously, the state has had budget issues, and they haven’t been able to maintain the park, which led to a lack of opportunities and unsafe conditions. Based on that, and the noncompliance with the standards of the lease, it was terminated.”

The area formerly leased to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources will be incorporated into the adjoining Dam East Recreation Area.  The Illinois Department of Natural Resources will continue to manage the lands adjacent to the area, owned by the State of Illinois.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers continues to work closely with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources on other initiatives at Carlyle Lake.  The termination of the lease at South Shore State Park in no way impacts the Illinois Department of Natural Resources existing lease for the management of Eldon Hazlet State Park or license for the Carlyle Lake State Fish and Wildlife Management Area.

Read more here: http://www.bnd.com/news/local/article109638687.html#storylink=cpy

For more information on Carlyle Lake, contact the Carlyle Lake Project Office at (618) 594-2484 or email at carlylelake@usace.army.mil.