Illini State Park in Marseilles is gearing up for its camping season, set to begin May 1, and anticipates an influx of visitors ready to enjoy the outdoors. Staff members are highlighting new opportunities for community involvement and upgraded facilities as part of the park’s continued development.
Park officials are searching for a volunteer campground host, an unpaid position described in a posted announcement as a unique chance to reside on site while assisting with camper registration and monitoring evening activity. The role includes a complimentary campsite in exchange for these duties.
“They’re really a volunteer steward for the park,” said site superintendent Dillon Law, who added, “It’s a great opportunity for someone who enjoys the outdoors and wants to be part of our park community.” His statements emphasize the host’s importance in fostering a positive visitor experience.
Many parks have found that providing a simple yet central communication hub, such as a prominent bulletin board or digital display, can aid volunteer hosts in delivering timely information. Additionally, widely accepted campground practices include training volunteers to provide a friendly welcome, proactively check in with guests, and maintain clear, scheduled times each day when hosts are available in a visible location. These steps often enhance a sense of community and offer visitors continuous access to help, especially during busier months.
Meanwhile, the park is also seeking a concessionaire to run its newly renovated concession building, which boasts a commercial kitchen, indoor dining area, and modern restrooms. The project aligns with upgrades intended to enhance guest satisfaction for visitors over the coming season.
Interested operators must attend a mandatory pre-bid meeting on Tuesday, April 22, at 11 a.m. They will be asked to submit proposals outlining possible food and beverage services, as well as ideas for other amenities. Park representatives hope the concession features will draw seasonal crowds and establish a reliable revenue stream.
“The concession building has come a long way,” said former site superintendent Tom Jackson, who explained, “We’re hoping to find someone who can bring it back to life and offer food, drinks or other services to visitors during the busy season.” These remarks reflect the aim to optimize the park’s modernized space.
Best practices for a thriving concession often include a focused menu to manage overhead, modern point-of-sale systems for streamlined transactions, and collaborations with local businesses. Widely accepted approaches also suggest offering seasonal menu specials for repeat visitors and using contactless payment technology to improve customer satisfaction and boost sales. Many operators establish partnerships with community events or local suppliers to provide unique experiences that appeal to a diverse audience of parkgoers.
In another article, Law is introduced as the park’s new superintendent, having taken over from Jackson after years of private land management and habitat restoration work. That background now helps propel initiatives that benefit the region’s natural spaces.
One highlight of these efforts is a woodland restoration project designed to remove invasive species and promote native growth. “If you drive through the park now, I think you can really picture what it’s going to look like in three to five years,” Law said, adding, “We’re clearing invasive species from the 6- to 10-foot understory, and we’re hoping the native seed bank starts to flourish again.”
Those interested in operating the concession building can email Shanon Hudgins at [email protected], while prospective volunteer hosts are encouraged to call Law at 815-584-6578. Both roles anticipate significant involvement during the peak camping months and serve as pivotal parts of the park’s broader improvements.
As final touches are placed on preparations for the opening of the campground, the collaborative spirit between park officials, prospective vendors, and dedicated volunteers remains a focal point. Park leaders point to recent restoration initiatives and facility overhauls as indicators of Illini State Park’s commitment to balancing preservation with public access.