Crab Orchard Recreation Association members speak out

CARTERVILLE, Ill. (KBSI) – Members of a nonprofit organization are speaking out after the organization was locked out of a campground and marina.

The Crab Orchard Recreation Association was started in the 1940’s by families in the Southern Illinois community.

The association operates on a lease that sits on the Blue Heron Campground and Marina issued by the U.S Fish and Wildlife service.

The association and its events has been an important part of the Illinois community for years. 

Lots of people in the community come to fish and enjoy events hosted by the association.  

Ed Wielant is the General Manager of Crab Orchard Recreation Association he says they just want the association running again.

“We just want our club back. We just want old guys to sit on the front porch in the sunlight, drink coffee and reminisce.” 

A letter posted by the Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge states that the campground and marina was closed due to ‘missing funds and other serious allegations’. Shareholders’ response to this was that the current shareholders and president were elderly and unaware of certain protocols when it comes to issues such as bookkeeping.

Since then, a new president and board were elected who know more about the organization’s established procedures. 

“We were led to believe that we would be able to go forward if we nominated new officers. We did nominate and elect new officers. However, that did not have any impact, any positive impact on the refuge” said Wielant.

According to the Crab Orchard Association the gates at the Blue Heron Campground and Marina were locked on September 28, 2023.

An association that stood for more than 80 years had to take down years of history including a memory walk, campers and boats.  

The Crab Orchard Recreation Association remains closed at this time.