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A view of Shenandoah River State Park, one of Virginia's state parks.
During the Great Depression, Virginia became the first state in the nation to launch its own park system in 1936.
It has grown from six to 35 parks, and state parks director Joe Elton says the equivalent of Virginia's population visits them annually.
In 2010, there were 8.1 million visits, 1 million overnight visits, and roughly $189 million of economic impact," Elton says.
Elton added that hiking, camping, and nature observation are the most popular activities, along with more than 13,000 interpretive programs.
A new "75 Days of Summer" promotion will mark the anniversary, with free parking in mid-June, birthday cake at all parks June 18, and a new game from the Virginia lottery.
It will also include daily Web and social media-based contests, a photography competition, and other special events.
NPR
NFL Sideline Reporter Michele Tafoya Plays Not My Job
As one of the first female reporters to be allowed inside the NFL locker room, Tafoya has been a pioneer in her field. But there are still places out there where they believe in cooties, so Tafoya will answer three questions about men's-only clubs.NPR
The Great Charcoal Debate: Briquettes Or Lumps?
Does the kind of charcoal you use really make a difference when it comes to grilling up a tasty steak or other food on the grill? Yes — but deciding which one to use depends on what you're after. Both briquettes and lump charcoal — aka "natural" hardwood charcoal — have their advantages and disadvantages.NPR
Obama's Terrorism Fight Is Colored Gray, Not Black And White
If President Obama's newly recalibrated counterterrorism strategy demonstrates anything, it is his penchant for nuance.NPR
Google Reportedly Faces FTC Antitrust Probe Over Display Ads
The Federal Trade Commission is in the early stages of opening an antitrust probe into how Google runs its online display advertising business, according to a report by Bloomberg News, citing sources who want to remain anonymous because the FTC has not announced the probe.Leave a Comment
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