Visitors continue to enjoy the 24 state

parks in Kansas.

The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks says more than 7.2

million people visited the state parks last year, compared with 6 1/2

million in 2008.

Parks Secretary Mike Hayden says one of the reasons for the

increase is that more special events are being held at the parks.

And he says the state has increased the number of cabins that

can be rented for overnight stays. Currently, 75 cabins are

available in state parks and wildlife areas, with 23 more planned

to open this year.