A new National Park Service report shows that 273,729 visitors came to the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway in 2011 to spend $8.8 million.
The information is part of a spending analysis, conducted by Michigan State University, of national park visitors nationwide. That spending supported 252,000 jobs nationally and 137 jobs in the St. Croix park, the study said.
The riverway "is a wonderful place to learn about America's story," said Park Superintendent Chris Stein, who has headquarters in St. Croix Falls, Wis. The St. Croix national park covers 255 miles of the St. Croix and its tributary, the Namekagon River.
Most visitor spending — 63 percent — supports jobs in lodging, food and beverage services, the study said. Another 17 percent of jobs fall into recreation and entertainment, with about 11 percent in "other retail."
The St. Croix River is a major destination for anglers, boaters and tourists.
Kevin Giles
@stribgiles
