Economic impact of state park discussed

Economic impact of state park discussed Brian Smith Tue, 04/09/2024 - 8:12 pm   Chris Yarborough of Fort Richardson State Park discusses the park’s economic impact at a Jacksboro Lions Club meeting last month. Photo/Brian Smith Fort Richardson’s impact on the local community continues to improve. ParkInterpreterChris Yarborough spoke to Jacksboro Lions recently and said visitor numbers continue to go up from 56,726 visitors in 2022 to 66,386 visitors last year in both day and overnight park guests. More than half of the visitors (64%) come from the Wichita Falls area with the Dallas-Fort Worth area continuing to enjoy the area as well. Those people are coming here and spending money as well, Yarborough noted. Visitors spent $549,840 in 2022 and last year spent $642,616 according to an economic impact study of the park done by Texas A&M University. That amounted to $13,941 in sales tax revenue in 2023, compared to $11,959 the year before. Work on improving the aesthetics of the park caused by the storm in August continue, Yarborough explained. The roof of the former hospital along with roof damage to the cabins was worked on. For the first time in years, the officers quarters are being renovated and are expected to be completed by the end of the year, Yarborough explained. A new dock at the north end of the park is being completed and will be a “great addition” as well. The park’s popular re-enactments of historical events, which haven’t happened in four to five years, are expected to begin again in November with a living history event scheduled from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 16. Yarborough said at the last event more than 70 re-enactors and 1,000 people came out for the event. The day before, an estimated 1,200 children from area schools will come out to the park to learn more about history in a similar event, Yarborough said. Yarborough said he hopes to have about one program a month for the public to get even more people out to the park.