From Leeslyvania State Park Manager Karen Lambey:
Leesylvania’s attendance numbers for this past 4th of July weekend were 26,744 for the four-day holiday weekend stretch. This is up significantly from last year and follows a several year trend of substantially higher numbers of park guests coming out to visit.
Due to the variable weather, not many park guests braved the rain on Monday, July 4, but a number of families came out on both Saturday and Sunday. The park experienced off and on showers on Sunday, but that did not dampen spirits.
A number of guests brought their own shelters, set them up in the picnic area, and spent the entire day cooking out and enjoying the park together.
On major holiday weekends, such as for Independence Day, shelters are not available for advance reservation and are instead first-come, first-serve for any park guests arriving upon opening.
The Woodbridge park is not alone. Attendance at state parks over the July 4 holiday was up across the state:
From Virginia State Parks:
Virginia State Parks hosted a star-spangled holiday weekend with increases over last year in visitation and revenue.
Despite intermittent rainy weather in some parts of Virginia, attendance increased by 74,816, a 36 percent increase over last year’s holiday weekend.
Overall revenue for the weekend was up 43 percent, with increases in cabin rentals, swimming fees, merchandise sales and nearly every other category of visitor spending.
“We’re really pleased,” said State Parks Director Craig Seaver. “It was a great weekend despite sporadic rain events throughout the state. The weekend of the 4th is our traditional mid-point to the summer season, and guests took advantage of the many recreational opportunities available in their state parks to include fishing, boating, swimming, camping, hiking and mountain biking to name a few.”
Overall attendance is up 16 percent in 2016.
