Joe Manchin III, Governor
Frank Jezioro, Director

News Release : November 14, 2007

Hoy Murphy, Public Information Officer (304) 558-3381 hoymurphy@wvdnr.gov
Contact: Sissie Summers Programming, sissiesummers@wvdnr.gov;
Doug Baker , Business Manager, dougbaker@wvdnr.gov;
Carol Stewart, VIPP & Gift Cards, carolstewart@wvdnr.gov (304) 558-2764

Give West Virginia State Parks Gift Cards

This year a gift of golf play, camping, a night in a cottage, or even a dinner theater is a new twist for holiday giving. People giving state park gifts cards share a travel secret with family and friends. Going to state parks is fun. It is recreational and provides relaxation closer to home.

“Christmas and Mother’s and Father’s Day are generally our busiest times of the year for gift cards,” says Carol Stewart with WV State Parks. “People from all over either call us or go online to order gift cards for their friends and family. At this time of year, we really see people thinking about parks and wanting to send a friend to a park to stay overnight or have dinner or play golf. A lot of parents and grandparents actually give park gift cards to a son or granddaughter as a family gift, so they can have a summer vacation at any park they choose. It’s something people can use. And with the new cards, they can use every penny on the card and the card doesn’t have an expiration date.”

State park gift cards include two Christmas or winter editions and are available online at www.wvstateparks.com. There is a secure online ordering system. Orders should be placed prior to December 17 to ensure timely delivery. Phone orders are available by calling the central parks office in Charleston at (304) 558-2764. Most lodge parks, such as Pipestem Resort, Hawks Nest, Chief Logan Lodge and North Bend and other areas like Cass Railroad and Blennerhassett Island Historical State Park’s Museum, also process gift card requests for people who want to pick up the cards in person.

“When you give (or receive) a state park gift card this year, you’re playing on a golf course, staying a cottage or cabin at Holly River, riding the train at Cass or having dinner at any of the 10 state park restaurants, enjoying an amphitheater performance at Pipestem, or maybe even shooting from the wobble trap range at Cacapon.” says State Parks Program Coordinator Sissie Summers. “The opportunity for great fun anytime of the year is available with a state park gift card.”

For information regarding WV State Parks and Forests, holiday ideas for getaways, gift cards and WV State Park Monopoly games, go online at www.wvstateparks.com or call 800 CALL WVA and ask for WV State Parks.

**DNR**