Spring Break
Fox Ridge offers activities, displays about water quality
Brad York/Opinions Editor
Issue date: 5/28/09 Section: News
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Each weekend in the summer the Fox Ridge State Park has offered visitors something more than just the usual fishing, hiking and camp grounds.
Park Interpreter Sarah Gillespie and the rest of the staff have developed environmental themes for each weekend in which guests can visit the state park's visiting center and office to view a variety of displays and interact in activities based on the theme.
"I hope people can come in and learn a little bit," Gillespie said. "I hope they find an enjoyment in the outdoors. I hope people can take something away from this and get more in touch with nature."
Park interpreter is a position that was developed nearly six years ago. The position and weekend displays are funded by the non-profit organization the Fox Ridge Foundation.
The foundation began in 1983. It is not state run, but instead it gains its money through business sponsorship and various fundraising events.
"The foundation wanted someone to open the office during the weekends," said Jody McKinney, office coordinator at Fox Ridge. "With the help of Eastern, the foundation developed the internship park interpreter."
Fox Ridge State Park is located eight miles south of Charleston on Route 130. The park is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sundays.
This weekend, the theme will be wetlands and vernal pools. In fact, all the themes are integrated with an underlying importance of water quality.
The themes vary weekend to weekend, and the topics range from ancient civilizations to lake ecology. You can be sure that you will walk away from the park with at least one bit of new knowledge.
"I usually put together a game or something like a coloring activity for the children," Gillespie said. "I also put together something that will interest adults and people of all ages."
Gillespie will be at Fox Ridge every weekend; feel free to ask questions or just start a conversation with her.
"I enjoy interacting with people and talking about the natural world," Gillespie said. "People come in and they want to have a good time. They want to learn about new things. We try to help them have a good time. It's usually a win-win situation."
Brad York can be reached at 581-7943 or bayork@eiu.edu.
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