Illinois state parks and historic sites saw their highest attendance numbers in 20-24. The numbers are the highest seen in Illinois in 15 years.
Governor Pritzker's office made the announcement on Friday that 41 million people made the trek to the state's 290 state parks and 56 historic sites.
Pritzker credits the increase to investments made by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources to improve facilities and infrastructure. He also says their "Middle of Everything" tourism campaign attracted more visitors.
Carol Hoffman Executive Director of the Southernmost Illinois Tourism Bureau says southern Illinois offers many opportunities for many different likes.
Earlier this year Governor Pritzker announced more than $60 million in funding was earmarked by IDNR for improvements at state park and historic site facilities.
Pritzker touted several area projects either completed or underway as part of the DNR's ongoing work. He mentioned the opening of the new off-highway vehicle trails at Sahara Woods State recreation area in Saline county, renovation at the Rend Lake Resort, and upgrades at Lake Murphysboro State Park.
According to the DNR, Wayne Fitzgerrel State Recreation area in Franklin county was one of nine state parks that attracted more than a million visitors with 1.3 million visitors.
Giant City State Park nearly broke a million with 900 thousand visitors last year.
Hoffman says that the impact of more visitors is felt beyond the state parks. And, she says a strong relationship between businesses and the parks improves the recreation opportunities for area residents and just maybe encouraging a visitor to make a move to southern Illinois.
