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Smith Mountain Lake State Park Summer Programs |
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01 May 2006 |
SML State Park Summer Programs
By Kate Hofstetter
Several new hiking trails have been opened this year at the Smith Mountain Lake State Park, according to Lauri Schular, the park’s newest administrator. As “Nature Interpreter,” Schular will be running all the programs for the park and is spearheading an environmental outreach for school-age children.
“We are looking forward to many activities,” Schular said. “There will be canoe trips, guided walks, camp fires, hay rides and a Junior Ranger program for children seven years and older that involves exploring, wildlife tracking and making maps. The kids love it.”
For the younger children, ages 4 to 6, the program will be more “hands on” and involve crafts.
This year, Schular said, state parks across the nation are celebrating their 70th birthday. It was 1936 when the first set of state parks was dedicated. Besides a birthday party complete with cake and candles, one of the ways the SML park will commemorate the occasion is to charge the same admission price used at those earliest parks. From June 15-18 an admission fee of just 10 cents will be collected at the gate.
The “Music In The Park” program will continue once a month this summer featuring various groups, including the Old Dominion Cloggers, an audience favorite. Anyone attending these concerts is asked to bring lawn chairs and, if desired, come early for your evening meal. The grill is available along with a few concessions-Schular said.
Frankie Puckett heads up the volunteers who make “Music In The Park” a reality. The concerts are held the 4th Saturday of the month from 8 to 10:30 p.m.
A bass tournament will take place on June 25 along with a youth fishing clinic.
“The role of State parks has changed,” Schular said. “More folks are making the park a vacation destination.” Over the past five years, she said, more and more families have been finding their way to SML State Park for their vacation.
Besides the hiking trails that have opened, new tile and partitions have been installed in the bathrooms at the camp ground and the picnic area.
“We upgrade as the budget allows,” Schular said.
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Last Updated ( 16 May 2007 )
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