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http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-26216-Edmonton-RV-Travel-Examiner~y2010m1d19-RVing-101-Status-of-Americas-parks-and-public-lands#

The National Association of State Park Directors (NASPD) has released the findings of a new survey on camping activity in state parks. For 28 state park systems reporting, all but one (Hawaii) reported an increase in camping. The average increase in campground stays for 2009 over 2008 for the 28 states was 7.38%. The overall increase in visits for 2009 was 6.94%. Combined with the 276 million annual visitors to National Parks more than 1 billion visitors a year use this national system of parks. Collectively, America’s State Parks have a $20 billion economic impact on local and state economies and when combined with the impact of our National Parks the total rises to $32 billion. The NASPD advocates for more than 6,000 state park units and 730 million annual visitors to America’s State Parks.

North Carolina
North Carolina State Parks reported record attendance in 2009 of 14.16 million visits, a jump of 13 percent over the previous year, and up 5 percent from the previous record set in 2007. The state parks system manages more than 208,000 acres, including 34 state parks and four state recreation areas, and a system of state natural areas. The study by North Carolina State University’s Department of Parks Recreation and Tourism Management determined that visitors spend an average $23.56 a day to enjoy the state parks. To read the complete study click here.

Montana
Montana’s 54 state parks reported a record number of visits—2 million—last year. Visit numbers have grown five of the past six years. In another positive trend, 95 percent of visitors surveyed recently said their experience at a Montana state park was good or excellent. Camping also grew significantly, with a reported 32 percent increase in overnight visits in 2009 compared to 2008. More than 287,000 visitors stayed overnight at a state park.

Maine
Maine officials report that 2009 was an up year for attendance at the state’s parks despite the poor economy and last summer’s rainy weather. According to the Bureau of Parks and Lands, the number of visits to state parks increased nearly 8% from 2008. The occupancy rate at the state’s 12 state campgrounds was up by 1%, while day use visits showed an increase of 8.3%. In all, there were more than 2.3 million visits to the state’s 47 state parks and historic sites.

South Dakota
People flocked to South Dakota's state parks and recreation areas in record numbers last year. State Parks Director Doug Hofer indicated the higher numbers came in spite of the economy and higher park entrance fees. Campground use increased 10 percent over 2008. Visitation at 60 parks and recreation areas increased 7 percent to 6.8 million.

South Dakota
South Dakota (State Parks) has two years to decide if it wants to purchase land near Sioux Falls and develop the area into a new state park. The plan was announced by Gov. Mike Rounds during his recent state of the state address. The land adjacent to the Big Sioux River is located at the border between Iowa and South Dakota, and it is the site of an Indian village dating back more than 8,500 years. If the cash-strapped state opts to take on the project, the site will be developed into a scenic area for camping, hiking, and historical instruction.

Iowa
The number of camper days in Iowa State Parks rose to 714,592 in 2009, up 5.3% from flood-plagued 2008. Last year’s attendance was 7.4% higher than the level five years earlier. Including campground visits and other activities, 56 major state parks together drew an estimated 14 million visits last year, up 250,000 from 2008 and the highest total since 2006.

Iowa
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) predicts that volunteers will play a key role in keeping state parks open to the public in 2010. The DNR lost 26 percent of its funding from the state over the last two years. If budget cuts continue to grow, the agency may need to close trails, parks, or beaches in state parks to save on maintenance costs. Staffing levels are at historic lows and volunteers will be needed to pick up the slack.

Minnesota
Gov. Tim Pawlenty announced that the state has agreed to pay U.S. Steel $18 million for 3,000 acres including 10 miles of undeveloped shoreline adjoining Soudan Underground Mine State Park. Two years ago, legislators approved spending $20 million to develop the park. But, after the land purchase came in at $18 million, the Department of Natural Resources said it will need more than $2 million to develop the park. If lawmakers do not approve the governor’s request to spend the money, U.S. Steel will develop the land for housing this summer.

California
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's just-released 2010-2011 budget will fund California State Parks using revenues from an offshore oil drilling project. The proposal was released the same day Californians started gathering signatures to put a park-funding initiative on the November ballot (see next item). Under the governor's plan, the state would replace $140 million in general fund financing with revenue generated from the Tranquillon Ridge oil lease, which Schwarzenegger estimates could generate $1.8 billion in royalties over the next 14 years. However, the State Lands Commission has yet to approve the lease. California’s 278 state parks attract about 80 million visits a year and include sandy beaches, recreational areas in urban areas, and much of the state’s history and culture.

California
Supporters have launched a volunteer signature-gathering campaign for the “California State Parks and Wildlife Conservation Trust Fund Act of 2010,” a statewide ballot measure to create a stable, reliable, and adequate source of funding to protect state parks, conserve wildlife, and increase public access to these valuable natural resources. The initiative will give California vehicles free admission to state parks in exchange for a new $18 vehicle license fee, which will be specifically dedicated to state parks and wildlife conservation. To qualify the measure for the November 2 statewide ballot more than 477,000 valid signatures must be gathered by mid-April. For more information, visit www.yesforstateparks.com and www.calparks.org.

National Parks
Tent camping visits to the 360 sites run by the National Park Service (NPS) rose 6.24 percent to 3.14 million in 2009, its highest level since 2003. The growth in overall visits to NPS sites rose 4.3 percent to reach 286.6 million. That marked the first year since 2000 that overall visitation to NPS sites exceeded 280 million. Visits rose at 63 percent of the 361 sites and declined in only 12 states, including the remote destinations of Alaska and Hawaii. Visits to Texas rose 21 percent, or by 1.2 million, with half that coming from gains at Amistad National Recreation Area. Overall visits rose 3.5 percent, or by 295,392 in Utah.

Yosemite National Park
Yosemite National Park welcomed 3,866,970 visitors in 2009, reflecting a 7.5% increase from 2008—the most since the peak year of 1996 when the total was 4,190,557.

U.S. Forest Service
From 2008 to 2009, the U.S. Forest Service experienced an 18% increase in reservations for campgrounds, representing a 12.2% increase in overall occupancy nights.

 

Happy trails,

Sue
"Runtrails & Company" - Sue Norwood, Jim O'Neil, and Cody the Ultra Lab

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