By Anna-Claire Terry
Staff Reporter
Lee County’s Chewacla State Park was recently recognized for excellence by the Alabama Trip Advisory Board. Chewacla was scored by online ratings and reviews and received four and a half out of five stars from its visitors. According to park manager Odell Banks, the polls are useful because the staff has an opportunity to see where the park is excelling and where there is room for improvement. According to statistics, Chewacla has seen 14,400 visitors in three month’s time. This number is only individual entrance fees collected at the gate and does not count the cabins and campgrounds.
The rental cabins and campgrounds are popular features of the park, along with paddle boats, playgrounds and two waterfalls. Various trails in the park are used for hiking and biking.
Banks said a reason he thinks Chewacla is so popular is because it provides locals with an escape from the “city life.”
“The fact that we’re so close to town, and people can step out here into nature and get away from the hustle and bustle of town for a while is what’s so great about it,” he said.