Wilderness Road State Park (pictured) in Lee County, Virginia has seen an 80 percent increase in park attendance since 2005 — with over 163,000 visitors alone last year — and as the park continues to grow, so does yearly visitation.
According to a recent press release, Virginia State Parks, which are managed by the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR), continued the year-long trend of record attendance with an Independence Day weekend attendance of 266,739 — a 22 percent increase over last year’s previous record-high of 218,889.
The record-high visitation follows another record-setting holiday weekend when visitation increased nearly 16 percent over Memorial Day.
“We are excited to see Virginia State Parks continue their record setting year with another outstanding holiday weekend,” said DCR’s State Parks Director Joe Elton.
“Visitors have come to our parks for nearly 75 years to find therapy for the mind, body and spirit as they enjoy our unspoiled natural resources. More than 266,000 people visited our parks over the holiday weekend, and they returned home with cherished family memories that will last a lifetime.”
Overall, state park attendance is up eight percent and the Wilderness Road State Park (WRSP) in Ewing, Va., is no exception to the rising statistics.
Wilderness Road State Park Manager Jon Tustin said that so far this year the local park has seen a three percent increase in attendance.
“We have seen an increase in attendance, not as much as statewide, but definite growth,” said Tustin, adding that the visitation numbers at WRSP are impacted because the park doesn’t have a swimming pool or camping area.
“But as long as we see an increase, we feel good about it,” he conveyed.
Tustin noted that since 2005, Wilderness Road State Park has seen an 80 percent increase in park attendance — with over 163,000 visitors alone last year.
DCR Director David Johnson attributes the significant increase in attendance statewide to a number of factors.
“Over the past decade, we have seen a steady rise in attendance as we’ve responded to visitors’ requests for more cabins, campsites, lodges and staff-led programs and activities. Simply put, more people are coming to Virginia State Parks because our parks are better than they have ever been,” stated Johnson in a recent press release.
Alisa Bailey, president and CEO of the Virginia Tourism Corporation, stated that tourism is an instant revenue generator for Virginia’s economy — adding that state parks are one of the best assets to attract visitors.
“Families from around the country, and especially from the east coast, travel to Virginia to enjoy the pristine beauty of our state parks,” she maintained.
The estimated economic impact of Virginia State Parks was $175 million in 2009.
Virginia State Parks offer dozens of festivals and concerts, and thousands of seasonal nature and history programs across the state.
For more information about state park activities and amenities, or to make reservations in a campsite, cabin or family lodge, call the Virginia State Parks Reservation Center at (800) 933-PARK or visit www.virginiastateparks.gov.
Contact the Wilderness Road State Park by phone at (276)445-3065 for information on upcoming local events.
Adam Young is a Staff Writer for the Middlesboro Daily News. He can be contacted by e-mail at ayoung@heartlandpublications.com.
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