“They left it neglected:” Shelter vandalized at Rock Cut State Park

LOVES PARK, Ill. (WIFR) – A once popular picnic shelter at Rock Cut State Park is now quiet and full of graffiti.

About eight to nine years ago, Loves Park resident Terry Carl began noticing graffiti taking over the shelter. Carl says it brought sadness and anger, knowing it was built years ago with the hope of a promising future.

The 69-year-old started going to the shelter when he was a Boy Scout. Terry tells how campers and families filled the shelter with picnics, games and camps. But, the limestone shelter now lies unused and vandalized.

Carl says he’s not alone in his belief that the area needs the state’s attention to clean it up, to ensure park visitors can enjoy the refuge in the future.

“It was built for our use and it was taken away from us five decades ago and neglected, and society doesn’t take that into account, and some of the things I think need to go and I’m not the only one who he believes it,” explains Carl. “My vision of this park is like everyone else’s. I want to see progress and beauty. Kids of all ages can go fishing, hiking, camping, there’s so much to do in this park.”

WIFR reached out to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources to learn about the refuge’s future, but did not hear back.

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