Outreach Helps Minnesota State Park Visits Grow

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - Despite a record wettest June that kept Minnesotans hunkered down at home, state figures show that more people than ever are getting outdoors to take advantage of Minnesota's state parks.

Officials credit revenue from the Legacy Amendment sales tax. They say it's helping them boost their outreach efforts, particularly to the families with school-age kids that they're counting on to produce a new generation of nature lovers.

Patricia Arndt, outreach manager for the state park system, says it's been a key strategy for introducing people to the outdoors.

DNR figures show a fairly steady upward trend since 2008. Sales of annual permits rose 21 percent from 2008-2013. Overnight stays increased 10 percent over the period. And the upward trend has continued this year despite a relentlessly rainy June.