State buys land to expand Starved Rock State Park

Starved Rock State Park is expanding to the west.

Governor Pat Quinn was at the park Saturday morning to announce the state has acquired 51 acres of land west of Route 178 that used to be the White Oak Campground north of Grand Bear Lodge.

The state worked out a private deal for the land at a cost of $900,000. Department of Natural Resources Director Marc Miller says the new land includes more canyons, and a chance for habitat and trail development. It also includes Native American archeological sites.