Ohio state park facilities to be upgraded

COLUMBUS (AP) — State officials are preparing to invest $88.5 million to upgrade and modernize trails, campgrounds and recreational facilities in Ohio’s state parks over the next two years.

The outlay headed to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources through the state capital budget is more than four times larger than average. Details were announced in Grand Lake St. Mary’s today.

Natural resources department director James Zehringer told The Associated Press in an interview ahead of the event that the money will be shared among Ohio’s 74 state parks. Ohio’s is one of only seven park systems nationally that charges no entry fees.

He appeared today with Senate President Keith Faber, a Lima Republican he credited with helping secure the funding along with GOP Gov. John Kasich.