ALTON, Ill. – Gordon Moore Park will partially reopen to the public on Friday, nearly two months since a massive sinkhole emerged under its soccer fields.
Alton Mayor David Goins announced plans to reopen most of the park, aside from the soccer fields, one softball diamond and a small parking area. Most other areas of the park are expected to reopen after 7 a.m. Friday, following a recommendation from mining company New Front Materials.
The map within this article shows which parts of the park will remain closed for now.
The sinkhole opened up in the park on June 26. Goins says that New Front Materials has been methodically drilling since then in efforts to investigate and clear the park grounds.
The Spencer T. Olin Community Golf Course within the park is also set to reopen. Closed parts, such as the soccer fields and Diamond One, will be fenced off until they are cleared for use. Diamond One and some other areas will require a little more investigative drilling before they can safely reopen.
In addition to fencing, there will also be security, cameras and lights to ensure people do not enter closed parts of the park.
Mike Clarke, CEO of New Frontier Materials, previously told FOX 2 that an investigation is ongoing as to what caused the sinkhole, but there are no clear answers.
