ODNR rolls out platform to encourage more state park visits

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- The Ohio Department of Natural Resources is rolling out a new platform to encourage more people to visit the Buckeye State's parks.

Starting Friday, visitors can take part in the digital passport challenge on the "Outer-Spatial" app. Each time you check in at a state park on the app, you'll unlock a special digital badge.

The passport challenge comes on the heels of Ohio's state parks receiving the National Gold Medal Award for excellence.

Gov. Mike DeWine said there are several things that set our parks apart.

"First of all, they start off there free," he said. "Second, we have rehabbed the cabins. We have 10 lodges all over the state of Ohio in different places. But there's also almost 10,000 camping sites. So whether you tent camp, whether you just want to go to a lodge, whether you want to go and hike for a day, it's there and it's close to every single Ohioan."

Park visitors can also use the Outer-Spatial app to access interactive maps of all the state parks.

Just join the Ohio community on the app.