North Carolina Parks Report Record Attendance for 2017
Governor Roy Cooper Reported In January That The 39 State Parks In NC Welcomed A Record Breaking 19.4 Million Visitors.
North Carolina State Parks were able to gather the final numbers for park attendance now that 2017 has surely ended. All parks in total experienced a record number of visitors. “North Carolina’s state parks are treasured resources that belong to each of us,” Governor Roy Cooper said. “Last year our 39 state parks welcomed 19.4 million visitors – over half a million more than in 2016. It’s great to see more and more people seeking out our parks and enjoying some of the most beautiful places in our state.” It was the fourth consecutive year of record visitation. Jockeys Ridge State Park in Dare County reported the greatest visitation at 1.56 million, and was among six state park units logging more than a million visitors. The others were Fort Macon and William B. Umstead State Parks and Falls Lake, Jordan Lake and Kerr Lake State Recreation Areas. North Carolina State Parks strive to focus on the quality of each visit above the quantity, according to Department of Natural and Cultural Resources Secretary Susi H. Hamilton.
In a press release statement, Hamilton said: “We are pleased North Carolinians and visitors to our state continue to love, enjoy and experience our parks." In 2017 NC park system acquired 2,075 additional acres, which are perfect for more campgrounds available in NC. The acquired lands will be added to eight state parks, four state natural areas and the Mountains-to-Sea Trail. Visitation at state parks and state recreation areas has increased more than 44 percent during the last decade. In 2007, 13.5 million people visited a state park unit—6 million fewer than last year. Parks officials attribute the continued increase in visitation to new hiking trails, improvements in parks and greater public awareness brought on by a more aggressive social media effort. The uptick in enjoyment of the parks and camping in NC further confirms the wisdom of including State Parks in the Connect NC Bond initiative approved by voters in March 2016. Using those funds, the Division of Parks and Recreation will add new campgrounds, visitor centers, and additional conveniences to parks, as well as acquiring new lands across the state. State parks reporting significant increases in visitation included Medoc Mountain State Park in Halifax County (40 percent), Eno River State Park in Orange County (31 percent), Carolina Beach State Park in New Hanover County (21 percent), Haw River State Park in Guilford and Rockingham Counties (19 percent) and Jockey’s Ridge State Park in Dare County (19 percent).
For the full press release visit NCParks.gov.
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