Sen. Dale Fowler with IDNR Deputy Director Natalie Phelps-Finnie. | Facebook
Sen. Dale Fowler with IDNR Deputy Director Natalie Phelps-Finnie. | Facebook
In an Oct. 5 Facebook post, Sen. Dale Fowler (R-Harrisburg) shared an update on the Sahara Woods OHV Park.
“They’ve begun working on the visitors center, and the maintenance building is almost complete,” Fowler wrote on Facebook. “With each update we are getting closer and closer to the park being able to open, drawing off-highway vehicle (OHV) enthusiasts to Southern Illinois from around the country.”
Fowler's previous update on the park was on July 22.
"More than 24 miles of trails have been cleared for OHV at the Sahara Woods State Fish and Wildlife Area," Fowler posted on Facebook. "The excavation has begun for the buildings that will be located on the Sahara Woods OHV site. This is exciting news for this project as it puts us one step closer to having the OHV site up and running."
In November 2021, Fowler explained the project this way: "The 26-mile development will be the first state-owned off-highway vehicle trail facility and will serve as a unique addition to outdoor recreation in southern Illinois."
“The first phase of this project will include critical amenities like a service building where the public can use the restroom and the infrastructure to support this building,” Fowler said. “It is multi-million dollar investments into this region that will continue to put southern Illinois on the map as a vacation destination and help our local communities thrive.”
Fowler was first elected to the Illinois Senate in 2017. His legislative experience includes serving on the Agriculture and Commerce and Economic Development committees. Fowler resides in Harrisburg.
Fowler is running uncontested in November to retain his seat.
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