Despite a global pandemic last year, one recreational activity saw a record setting year in Greene County.

Conservation Director Dan Towers tells Raccoon Valley Radio the first six weeks of the camping season last year was closed because of the COVID-19 pandemic, from April to mid-May. However, Towers notes camping really picked up once the campgrounds were allowed to open again.

“By that time it opened in mid-May people were ready to get out and we had a record setting camping revenue year because of that. We took in $180,000 of revenue, which it’s the most we’ve ever taken in.”

Towers talks about how the early camping season this year went in Greene County, especially at Spring Lake Park.

“Even though it’s been open since spring got here, it’s been a little slow getting started. Those cold weekends in April, they did kind of put a damper and some of those it was even freezing, getting below 32 (degrees.) So people didn’t want to bring their camper out and have their water lines freeze, so it was a little slow getting started. Memorial Day weekend, the park was full and I really anticipate it being full for the next weekends coming.”

There are three county parks, including Spring Lake, Squirrel Hollow and Seven Hills.