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                                             Diamond State Park recognized





 Published: 11/06/2007

MURFREESBORO, Ark.—With park revenues increasing to $1.9 million, the Crater of Diamonds State Park was named the 2006-2007 Region IV Park of the Year and co-winner of the Outstanding Resource Management award by Arkansas State Parks.

Arkansas Parks Director Greg Butts presented the awards to park employees recently at the Diamond Discovery Center in the park and said the Crater of Diamonds State Park increased revenues from $968,004 to $1.9 million.

“Park Superintendent Tom Stolarz and the staff of Crater of Diamonds State Park bring credit to Arkansas with their outstanding and dedicated work. This award recognizes their efforts, the public’s response to those efforts and focuses on their exemplary work in all areas of park management over the past year,” said Butts.

He said the increase in revenue can be attributed to the publicity of the new “west drain trench” and the large diamond finds. The trench is created to help hunters find diamonds.

Park visitation increased 119 percent to 137,255 visitors, the highest in park history.

The park had dry, mild weather for a major portion of the year, and the discovery of several...


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http://www.texarkanagazette.com/news/localnews/2007/11/06/diamond-state-park-recognized-36.php