Horseshoe Lake closing due to budget stalemate; trash, electricity cut off

The state is indefinitely closing Horseshoe Lake State Park in Granite City because of the state’s budget impasse.

Chris Young, a spokesman with the state Department of Natural Resources, said trash and electrical service were being terminated at Horseshoe Lake due to the budget impasse.

IDNR announced Wednesday that Ramsey Lake State Recreation Area near Ramsey and Horseshoe Lake State Park will be closed indefinitely. Ramsey Lake is being closed due to termination of electrical service.

Horseshoe Lake will close Monday.

Young said the announced closures are due to services being shut off and cited no other factors in closing the Horseshoe and Ramsey sites instead of other IDNR locations.

There was no estimate of when either site would reopen.

Camping at Horseshoe Lake was to begin May 1, but will not open on that date. IDNR will contact people with camping and shelter reservations to work out other arrangements or refunds.

Ramsey Lake campgrounds and picnic shelters were open at the time of the closure. IDNR will contact campers with reservations to work out other arrangements or refunds.

Ramsey Lake site staff will report to Coffeen Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area. The phone number is (217) 537-3351. Horseshoe Lake staff will report to Frank Holten State Recreation Area. The phone number is (618) 874-7920.

In a news release, IDNR said the agency “intends to reopen these parks as soon as services are restored.”

Horseshoe Lake State Park offers a variety of recreation opportunities on 2,960 acres and is located off Highway 111 in Madison County.

Ramsey Lake State Recreation Area includes 1,980 acres for camping, hiking, fishing, hunting and boating.

This story was originally published April 20, 2016 at 4:39 PM with the headline "Horseshoe Lake closing due to budget stalemate; trash, electricity cut off."