Park opens on ruins of coal mine

BELLEVILLE, Ill. -- This town's newest park opened Saturday on the site of a former coal mine.

St. Ellen Park features a walking path and lake, as well as picnic tables, a covered pavilion and restrooms. Paths surround the grass-covered mound of coal refuse and lead to a wooden lookout platform.

It took 10 years for the 81-acre park to become reality.

State Rep. Jay Hoffman, D-Collinsville, remembered when blowing coal dust covered nearby homes and cars when the mine was left unattended.

"It's been a long time to make this useful," Hoffman said. "This is a far cry from the problems that existed in the late 80s."

The park's 35-acre, privately owned lake will remain closed to the public until the city and county settle a dispute over its maintenance.