The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) held a groundbreaking ceremony today - Thursday - for the new Hocking Hills Visitor Center at Hocking Hills State Park, which is scheduled to open in December.
"Out of our 74 Ohio State Parks, Hocking Hills has brought Ohio the most national and international recognition," said ODNR Director James Zehringer. "With the increase in visitation and busier trails, now is the perfect time to reinvest in Hocking Hills to enhance the experiences of our visitors," he continued.
The top priorities of the new Hocking Hills Visitors Center will be safety and education, with a focus on orienting people to the area before they head out on the trails. With an estimated 2 million visitors per year, spreading the safety message of the importance of staying on trail and being prepared for the many hikes and terrains Hocking Hills has to offer is crucial; and becoming educated by focusing on the specific geology of Hocking Hills, wildlife, plant life, and history of the area. The building will also have new restrooms, as well as a gift store with drinks, snacks, apparel, and hiking sticks.
The following are some improvements that have been implemented at Hocking Hills State Park;
- Opened Hemlock Bridge Trail and Whispering Cave
- Renovated all 40 state park cabins
- Upgraded 47 campsites to full-service sites
- Establishing a new disc golf course near the cabin area and Hemlock Bridge Trail, which will open this summer
Director Zehringer also mentioned the anticipated replacement of the Hocking Hills Lodge, which burned down in December 2016, and said this project remains a priority for the department and the community.
The ODNR Division of Parks and Watercraft provides outdoor recreation and boating opportunities by balancing customer service, education, protection, and conservation of Ohio's state parks and waterways. For more information, contact Carey Santiana, ODNR Office of Communications, at 614-265-6860 or visit www.ohiodnr.gov.
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