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Lawmakers secure $55,000 investment for playground equipment at Beaver Dam State Park

CARLINVILLE – Children will soon be able to climb and slide on new playground equipment currently being installed near the trailer camping area at the Beaver Dam State Park.

The equipment and installation is funded through a $55,000 state investment secured by state Sen. Andy Manar, D–Bunker Hill, state Sen. Sam McCann, R–Carlinville, and state Rep. Wayne Rosenthal, R–Litchfield.

“The park is a top attraction for area residents and out-of-town visitors,” Manar said. “My kids and I are frequent visitors, and like other parents, I’m concerned about the location of the current playground.”

Beaver Dam Park already has a playground on site near the tent camping area. But it’s across the park from the busier trailer camping area. Manar noted that his office has received several calls from local residents raising concerns over the distance from the trailer camping area to the current playground.

“It’s a long hike from the trailer area to the current playground, especially for young children,” Manar said. “The trailer camping area is busy with a lot of visitors, so making a playground accessible to those campers and picnickers makes sense.”

McCann and Rosenthal have received similar calls from concerned local residents, so the three lawmakers made a pitch for a new playground at the trailer camping site to Illinois Department of Natural Resources Director Marc Miller.

After doing an assessment of the proposed site for the new playground, Miller approved the investment.

“I’m absolutely ecstatic about what this playground means for the visitors to Beaver Dam State Park,” McCann said. “Now all families visiting this wonderful park, whether camping in trailers or tents, will have safe and easy access to a top-notch playground.”

“Our children need to be kept safe while at play,” said Rosenthal. “When proper adult supervision is in place, playgrounds can be the highlights of childhood days. The installation of the new playground equipment in a more accessible area at Beaver Dam State Park will accomplish both of these objectives.”

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