COLUMBUS, OH -- An estimated 3.5 million people visited Ohio State Parks between July 1999 and July 2000, according to a biannual survey prepared by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR). A recent survey completed for the agency indicated that 42 percent of Ohio adults visited a state park and another 24 percent have visited a state park in the past.
"This survey speaks volumes about the popularity of our award-winning park system," said ODNR Director Sam Speck. "It essentially says that two-thirds of all Ohioans have visited a state park - either as an overnight or day guest - at some point in their lives."
Picnic areas and nature trails were the biggest draws for visitors, with campgrounds and beaches also listed as popular attractions. A large number of respondents said they used park restaurants, marinas, lodges, cottages and golf courses. Families made an average of eight visits annually.
Parks named by survey respondents as "visited most often" were Mohican State Park in Ashland County; Salt Fork State Park in Guernsey County; Maumee Bay State Park in Lucas County; Hueston Woods State Park in Preble County; Hocking Hills State Park in Hocking County and Alum Creek State Park in Delaware County.
Ohioans who used the state park system rated overall amenities such as cleanliness, employee helpfulness, services, safety and security as "good to excellent."
Strategic Research Group of Columbus conducted 762 random telephone surveys to collect data for the study. ODNR has commissioned similar studies every other year since 1992 in order to determine how Ohioans view and use their state parks and how the agency could improve services and amenities in the park system.
Current visitors received most of their information about individual parks and their features via positive "word of mouth" from other park users and from brochures. The 1-800-BUCKEYE toll-free information line and parks information booths also rated high with current users. A growing segment of survey respondents said they obtained park information on the Internet.
Half of current park users said they made winter visits in order to participate in ice skating, sledding, skiing, hunting, fishing and camping activities. When asked why they didn't visit Ohio State Parks, most non-users said they simply lacked the free time or were hindered by travel distances.
Ohio's 73 state parks offer a variety of year-round recreational opportunities. Eight parks feature resort lodges and conference centers and six have full-service golf courses. There are more than 500 rental cottages and 57 campgrounds with more than 9,000 campsites in the system. For more information on Ohio State Parks, call 614-265-6561. Or, visit the ODNR web site at www.dnr.state.oh.us .