This Land, Your Land

North Carolina State Parks had record attendance in 2009, topping 2008's 12.48 million visits by 13 percent and the record set in 2007 by 5 percent.

The state parks system, which includes 34 state parks, four state recreation areas and a system of state natural areas, had 14.16 million visits in 2009, the Division of Parks and Recreation said in a news release.

Among parks and recreation areas, 22 reported increased attendance in 2009. Jockey’s Ridge State Park in Dare County reported the highest attendance at 1.4 million visits, an increase of 2 percent over last year.

Gorges State Park, which reopened in May with new trails and other features, had 74,803 visits, a 306 percent increase over 2008. Elk Knob State Park, a relatively new park being developed near Boone, had a 21,859 visits, a 264 percent increase for the year.

Several parks did have attendance declines, including Jones Lake State Park, which was down by 17 percent, Haw River, down by 11 percent, and Merchants Millpond State Park, down by 10 percent.