
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, June 8, 1995                   TAG: 9506080066
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C-3   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: JEFF STURGEON STAFF WRITER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

DIRECTOR OPTIMISTIC ABOUT EXPLORE SEASON

Explore Park had only 5,000 paying visitors during the first two months of this season, but the attraction's director predicted that bigger crowds than last year's will trek through the park this summer.

Rupert Cutler, the park's executive director, said Wednesday that Explore should surpass last year's total of 20,500 visitors, because more people know it exists and the season is two months longer than its debut run in 1994.

Cutler estimated that this year's attendance will reach 50,000 before the 1,300-acre park closes for the winter in October. The season began April 1.

April and May were "pretty slow," however, because rain discouraged weekend outdoor activity and Explore is too financially strapped to advertise, Cutler said.

Magazine ads and tourist brochures mark the extent of official promotion efforts, but Cutler has tapped opportunities for free exposure. Wednesday, he invited reporters to witness a $1,000 donation to the park from NationsBank. The park will be host to a Roanoke Regional Chamber of Commerce social event from 5 to 7:30 p.m. today. Admission is $5 for chamber members and children under age 18, and $10 for nonmembers.

The park, at no charge, admits thousands of schoolchildren, some of whom return with their families on weekends, Cutler said.

A debt of $220,000, which Cutler attributed to start-up costs, was carried over to this year's budget. Cutler said he hoped sales of surplus land would help replenish the park's coffers. Explore is supported by contributions from state and local governments and private donors.

The park's governing authority, the Virginia Recreational Facilities Authority board of directors, is scheduled to meet Monday at 10 a.m. at the park to consider approving the second such land sale this year.

Cutler said he expected to pay a soon-to-be-hired general manager an annual salary of $40,000 to $50,000. The job, for which 40 people applied, will be filled by Aug. 1, he said. George Nester, the current general manager, is a part-time park consultant who will step down but will be called on as needed, Cutler said.

Explore, which is open Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., will launch a week of special events June 20. Men in period costumes will re-enact a 1756 battle of the French and Indian War that took place in the Shawsville area. Admission to the park is $4 for adults and $2.50 for students.

The park, which straddles the Roanoke County/Bedford County line, features exhibits and demonstrations of frontier culture and six miles of hiking trails.

by CNB