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The grass has been mowed, the cabins scrubbed and the beaches cleaned.

Now, the staff at Hickory Run State Park just has to wait for the people to come.

And they will.

Memorial Day weekend kicks off the start of the busy summer season for many state parks, including several in the northeast region.

The 15,990-acre Hickory Run State Park in Carbon County will be one of the busiest. As of Thursday, assistant park manager Nick Sulzer said nearly all of the sites at the park’s campground are booked for the weekend and the beach, lake and other attractions are ready for the holiday crowds.

“This is what we prepare for during the winter and spring months,” Sulzer said. “This weekend is when things pick up, and we’re happy to see crowds of people come in and enjoy the park.”

In addition to the camping, hiking and environmental education programs offered at Hickory Run and other area state parks this weekend, other events taking place aim to make the holiday even busier.

Sulzer said Memorial Day coincides with the first full weekend of whitewater releases from the Francis E. Walter Dam, which will attract throngs of rafters and kayakers to the Lehigh River and the Lehigh Gorge State Park.

Also, the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission will hold its first of two Fish for Free Days on Sunday, which allows anyone to fish for the day without having to purchase a license. Sulzer said the event should result in an increase in angling activity, particular on the numerous trout streams at Hickory Run and the lakes in every state park.

Even though campsites may be hard to come by, plenty of people will utilize the state parks for day trips this weekend.

Diane Madl, environmental education specialist supervisor for the Hickory Run State Park Complex, said the only variable to how many people visit the parks is the weather. The forecast calls for showers throughout the weekend and temperatures in the mid-70s, but Sulzer said a little bit of sun will help the crowds.

“Typically everything fills up if the weather is nice. Even at the parks that don’t have camping, such as Nescopeck and Lehigh Gorge, there are plenty of activities that attract people for the day,” Madl said.

State Department of Conservation and Natural Resources staff aren’t the only ones that will be busy with the Memorial Day weekend crowds.

Fish and Boat Commission personnel will also be out patrolling area lakes as the holiday kicks off the start of the boating season.

Walt Dietz, the PFBC’s regional outreach and education coordinator for the northeast and southeast, said activity on places such as Harveys Lake and Lake Wallenpaupack, as well as private ponds, generally increases this weekend. As a result, PFBC law enforcement will be working through the weekend watching for Boating Under the Influence issues and making sure everyone is safe on the water.

“Memorial Day, July 4 and Labor Day are the big holidays for water activity, and this weekend is when people start to turn from trout fishing to boating,” Dietz said. “Our law enforcement officers and any deputies that are available are pretty much all assigned to work this weekend.”

For other sports stories, click here.

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By Tom Venesky

[email protected]

Where to go…

Local state parks offering camping and/or other activities for the Memorial Day weekend:

• Frances Slocum State Park – (swimming pool opens on May 27) 570-696-3525

• Hickory Run State Park – 570-443-0400

• Lackawanna State Park – 570-945-3239

• Lehigh Gorge State Park – (No camping facilities) 570-443-0400

• Nescopeck State Park – (No camping facilities) 570-403-2006

• Ricketts Glen State Park – 570-477-5675

Reach Tom Venesky at 570-991-6395 or on Twitter @TomVenesky