BURLINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) – The Vermont State Parks system turns 100 this year and a year-long celebration kicked off Thursday.
Events honoring visitors will take place at parks throughout this coming season.
The biggest change since the system began in 1924 is how many people visit the parks. in 1936, the earliest records were kept, there were 135,000 registered visitors. In 2022 that number was 1.2 million.
Parks officials are encouraging people to share their favorite park stories. “We feel Vermont State Parks are more important than ever and we hear the value they mean to them so we can plan the next 100 years,” said State Parks Director Nate McKean.
He says the number of parks has also grown as well as how visitors use them seasonally. Many parks provide opportunities for hikers, cross-country skiers, snowshoers, and people looking to winter camp or ice fish.