CHARLESTON, W.Va. — After more than five decades working inside the West Virginia State Park system, former superintendent Scott Durham says the actual value of state parks goes far beyond scenic overlooks and cabin reservations.
“State parks seem like a simple thing, and we take them for granted,” Durham said. “But the effects they bring are not so simple and not very obvious.”
Durham, who helped shape modern park operations and visitor services in West Virginia, believes the system delivers enduring benefits across individual, community, economic, and environmental levels.
Improving Individual Quality of Life
At the most personal level, Durham says state parks quietly support people through life’s challenges.
“Many people who stumble during life’s inevitable challenges find a calm, quiet, and supportive place in a local park,” he said. “It helps carry them over their troubled waters and land them on the other side, prepared to resume life.”
Even residents who rarely visit parks benefit simply by knowing they exist, Durham said, calling that sense of availability a key contributor to overall quality of life.
State parks also support physical and mental health. Parks provide safe, welcoming spaces for hiking, biking, swimming, and play—activities proven to reduce the risk of diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. Mentally, parks offer relief from stress and pressure.
“A state park is a place where we can re-create ourselves and find emotional stability,” Durham said. “Even simply driving through the natural beauty of a park can help relax a person.”
Adventure, Education, and Family Connections
Durham said parks create opportunities for adventure at every level. “Even a short hike on a gentle trail is an adventure for some people,” he said. “Facing the challenge of an adventure brings self-confidence and helps people face the other challenges in their lives.”
Education is another core benefit. Parks function as outdoor classrooms where visitors deepen their understanding of nature and the world around them. Many parks host school groups, educational organizations, and structured learning programs.
Families also use state parks to build traditions and memories. “Families create family traditions and build memories that unite and enrich family life,” Durham said, noting that playgrounds, picnic areas, pools, and reunion facilities help bring generations together.
Strengthening Communities
Beyond individual benefits, Durham said state parks act as community anchors.
“A state park is an attractive and safe place for groups to gather,” he said, whether through organized picnics, church outings, or casual encounters that spark new friendships.
The presence of a well-loved park also builds pride. “Knowing that people come from far away to enjoy a park increases people’s pride in their community,” Durham said. “In West Virginia, the state park system is part of the state’s identity.”
He added that parks provide positive outlets that can reduce antisocial behavior and, in turn, lower crime and related enforcement costs.
Economic engines across West Virginia
Durham described state parks as the foundation of West Virginia’s tourism economy, especially during downturns.
“During economic hard times, when the private tourism industry pulls back, state parks keep the tourism market alive,” he said. “So when the economy improves, the private sector can quickly jump back into the living market.”
Studies consistently show that dollars spent inside state parks multiply throughout surrounding communities, benefiting restaurants, stores, and service businesses. Properties near parks also tend to hold higher values.
Parks also serve as training grounds for the workforce. “Area youths often find their first job working at a park,” Durham said. “The experience they gain can prepare them for their future careers.”
Protecting places for future generations
Environmentally, Durham said state parks protect places of scenic, historical, archaeological, and natural significance that might otherwise be lost.
“Those places are protected for future generations to use, learn from, and enjoy,” he said, adding that parks also inspire environmental stewardship in both adults and children.
“Many people develop an interest in environmental issues at state parks and apply what they have learned in their everyday lives,” Durham said. “Parks set a positive example for the stewardship of our world.”
A system with lasting impact
After a career spent inside the system, Durham said his conclusion is simple. “The benefits of West Virginia State Parks are endless,” he said.
For Durham, those benefits—quiet and often unseen—remain among the state’s most reliable and far-reaching public investments.
West Virginia State Parks by the Numbers
A cornerstone of tourism, conservation, and community life
System Size
- 39 state parks and eight state forests, along with rail trails and special recreation areas
- More than 164,000 acres of protected land managed by the W.Va. Division of Natural Resources
Outdoor Assets
- Nearly 1,400 miles of hiking trails
- Lodges, cabins, campgrounds, picnic shelters, playgrounds, and nature centers across the system
- Many parks preserve sites of scenic, historic, archaeological, and natural significance.
Visitation
West Virginia State Parks attract millions of visitors annually
- Parks are among the most heavily visited public lands in the state and serve as primary gateways for out-of-state tourists
Economic Impact
Visitors to West Virginia State Parks and Forests spend hundreds of millions of dollars annually in surrounding communities.
- A recent economic impact study estimated more than $480 million in annual in-state spending tied directly to park and forest visitation.
- For every dollar spent inside parks, several additional dollars are spent locally on lodging, dining, fuel, and retail.
Tourism Context
State parks form the foundation of West Virginia’s $9+ billion tourism economy.
- Tourism statewide supports more than 60,000 jobs and generates over $1 billion in annual tax revenue.
- Parks help stabilize local economies during downturns and accelerate recovery when private tourism rebounds.
Community & Workforce
- Parks provide first-job opportunities for many West Virginians
- Proximity to parks is associated with higher property values and increased community pride
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