CAPE ELIZABETH – Wanting to see Maine’s renowned rocky coastline, the Hinkle family from New Jersey was enjoying the “awe-inspiring” view at Two Lights State Park in Cape Elizabeth Tuesday morning.

Down the road at Scarborough Beach State Park, the Campbell family, including 2-year-old twins Lilly and Sadie and 4-year-old Molly, were enjoying the sand and surf. According to January Campbell, the girls’ mother, the Windham family comes to Scarborough Beach every sunny day in the summer. She said it’s “the perfect beach” and also called the park “completely kid-friendly.”

This is the Hinkles’ first trip to Maine. The family is staying in Old Orchard Beach for a week, but made their way up the coast to Two Lights in order to get a view of the waves hitting the rocks. Ben Hinkle called the park “one of the most beautiful places I’ve seen in my life.” His daughter Alyssa dubbed the view “a beautiful sight” and her brother Hayden called it “cool.”

Both families were enjoying the Maine’s state park system, which this year is celebrating its 75th anniversary. From the state’s rocky coast to its forested inlands, the state park system contains many of the iconic images people near and far associate with Maine.

Now overseen by the Department of Conservation, the State Park Commission first formed in 1935 and the first state park was Aroostook State Park in Presque Isle. According to Ron Hunt, the southern regional manager for the Bureau of Parks and Lands, the state park commission was set up by then-Gov. Louis J. Brann. The idea behind the commission, Hunt said, was to allow the state to accept land donated for public use.

The state park system grew gradually over the years and now boasts 48 parks, 12 of which allow camping, Hunt said. The park system also employs about 275 people, who are mostly seasonal employees.

The latest park added is the Mackworth Island Trail in Falmouth, he said. Hunt said the state is still acquiring properties that will eventually become parks, and that there are still several undeveloped properties waiting funding to be developed. In many instances, though, Hunt said, these lands are seeing low-impact uses such as hiking, hunting and cross-country skiing.

The amenities offered at each park vary, depending on its uses, Hunt said. He said some parks have only pit toilets and dirt parking lots, whereas others, like Crescent Beach and Scarborough Beach, feature flush toilets and showers and a snack bar.

According to Jeanne Curran, director of public information for the Department of Conservation, so far this year visits to state parks have increased by nearly 28 percent over last year. Through the month of May, Two Lights has seen more than 19,500 visitors; Crescent Beach has seen nearly 14,000; and Scarborough Beach just over 11,000, Curran said. She was unable to provide budget figures by The Current’s deadline Tuesday afternoon.

Last year the state park system saw the most number of visitors ever, with 2.3 million, she added.

Visiting a state park is not just a fun activity, though. According to a report compiled by the Department of Conservation in 2005 visitors to state parks contribute just over $60 million to the economy every year.

These figures include spending on items such as food, gas, lodging and souvenirs, as well as more durable items like appropriate clothing, coolers and beach toys, according to the report.

In addition, the report said 1,449 full- or part-time jobs are associated with the operation and promotion of the state parks, and these jobs provide $31.1 million in personal income.

According to the report, the most common activities pursued at state parks are swimming, picnicking, observing nature and photography.

Cape Elizabeth has two state parks, Two Lights and Crescent Beach. Two Lights opened in 1961 and consists of 41 acres. The major attractions are the rocky headlands and the sweeping views of Casco Bay and the Atlantic Ocean.

The park’s name originated from the twin lighthouses located nearby. The lighthouses were built in 1828 and were the first twin lighthouses on the coast of Maine. Neither lighthouse is now open to the public. The eastern light, however, is still active. It is an automated light station, which is visible 17 miles from shore. The western light is now a private home.

Also enjoying Two Lights on Tuesday were Penny Kinney of New York and her mother, Beverly Robinson of Scarborough.

Two Lights is one of Robinson’s favorite places to see the ocean. She likes the park because it has benches from which took take in the views up toward Portland and down toward Scarborough.

“I don’t need to be at the beach. I need a quiet place where I can sit and enjoy the ocean,” Robinson said.

Both Kinney and Robinson said other than the spectacular views, the other attractions of Two Lights is the ease of parking and the quietness.

“I like it because there are not a lot of people around,” Kinney said.

Crescent Beach State Park opened in 1966 and is named for the mile-long, crescent-shaped beach, which is the chief feature of the park. In addition, it features walking trails and nature watching. The park is also attractive in the winter for cross-country skiing.

Scarborough Beach is the only park in the system that is managed by a private company, Hunt said. The Black Point Management Corp. now oversees the park, he said, because during a lean budget year the state believed it could save money by no longer staffing the park and leasing it to a private management firm.

According to the state park website, Scarborough Beach offers some of the best swimming in New England and has some of the warmest water, as well. Water temperatures are usually in the high 60s throughout July and August.

For Susan Ryberg and her daughters, Ellie and Anna Sharp, the attractions of Scarborough Beach are the big waves and the sand dollars the girls often find. Ryberg, who is from Falmouth, was visiting the beach Tuesday with her daughters and their neighbors, Tim, Oceane and Amelie Bowden.

Jessica Bean and her 2-year-old daughter, Margo, were also enjoying the beach on Tuesday. Bean is from Portland and brings her daughter to the beach two or three times a week.

“This is a nice stretch of beach. The waves are nice and there is not a lot of seaweed,” Bean said as Margo dug in the sand nearby. “I also like the amenities.”

Malcolm Weatherbie casts from the rocky edge at Two Lights State Park earlier this week. The state park system is 75 years old and remains popular. So far this year, visits to state parks have increased by nearly 28 percent over last year. (Photo by Rich Obrey)

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