Today marked the first day of our staycation in Blacksburg. We were originally going to go to Virginia Beach, but since we sold our house in Cary and already have a contract on a new one in Blacksburg, saving money is this summer’s theme. Not to mention staycationing in the New River Valley is a bit like a vacation for us anyway since we are so new to the area.
Today’s adventure was a picnic lunch and swimming at Claytor Lake State Park. Claytor Lake was formed when Appalachian Power Company built a dam on the New River, just south of Radford, in 1939. The Division of State Parks took over the operation of the park in 1951. Being there today brought back fond memories of days out at Fairystone State Park, another of Virginia’s beautiful parks just a few miles from my childhood home.
We spent a total of $13 on parking and swimming fees, but the beautiful weather was priceless. Andy says that he knows people who live in Northern Virginia who come down to Claytor Lake every year. For a future staycation we think it would even be fun to rent one of the lodges.
Sadly Californians are at risk for losing 220 state parks, leaving 80 million residents with less choices for family staycations and attracting fewer visitors for vacations. Increased operating costs, the recession, and looming budget deficits are blamed. But in a recent blog post Nancy Heltman says that state parks can also be economic engines. Furthermore “most of our parks are in rural areas and this tourism helps sustain those communities.” Tennessee State Parks goes even further to say that “the primary purpose of state parks is to conserve natural, aesthetic, cultural, and historic resources, to provide opportunities for enjoying healthful outdoor recreation and to serve as outdoor classrooms for environmental and cultural resource education. Some state parks contain extensive infrastructure to provide the public with a quality recreational and educational experience to support those visitors seeking more comfortable accommodations.”
So whether you are enjoying a staycation or vacation this summer, show your support for America’s state parks with at least one visit this summer.
-Melissa
