LOGAN, Ohio — Hocking Hills State Park now features two new hiking trails that officials expect will increase the popularity of a recreation haven that already attracts more than 1 million visitors each year.

Ohio Department of Natural Resources Director James Zehringer cut the ribbon Monday to officially open Hemlock Bridge Trail and Whispering Cave Trail. The combined 2.5-mile loop features the park's second-largest cave, after Old Man's Cave, and a swinging bridge built of wood, steel cables and nylon rope.

"It is a moderately strenuous hike, not for the easily winded," park Naturalist Pat Quackenbush said.

Hocking Hills State Park and Hocking State Forest, about 50 miles southeast of Columbus, now have more than 70 miles of trails for hikers or horse riders, Quackenbush said.

The new trails are among the improvements being made at Hocking Hills State Park, where a new dining lodge will be built to replace the one that burned down in December, Zehringer said.

Other work includes renovating 40 cabins built in 1972 to meet 21st-century standards; upgrading 47 campsites with full-service hookups to accommodate larger recreational vehicles; adding more trail signs to guide hikers and interpretive signs to explain the park's geology, cultural history and wildlife; and adding more restrooms.

The nonprofit organization Friends of the Hocking Hills State Park has raised $1.1 million toward its $1.6 million goal to build the John Glenn Astronomy Park on the grounds.

Rebecca Miller, president of the Hocking Hills Tourism Association, said the new trails will allow visitors to spread out and explore different areas of the park. The trails and other improvements also mean dollars and jobs for the region: people stay at the privately owned cabins and campgrounds near the park, dine at local restaurants and buy gas at local service stations, she said.

The trails opened Monday include an old one from 50 years ago that the department hadn't maintained (Hemlock Bridge Trail) and a new one (Whispering Cave Trail).

Jim Schaefer, who lives in the Cleveland suburb of Shaker Heights and enjoys hiking in Hocking Hills State Park, suggested that the department revive the old trail. Zehringer liked the suggestion. One connection led to another. Pickerington resident Scott Burton enlisted help from his Mormon congregation, the Columbus Ohio South Stake of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In May 2015, about 150 church volunteers carrying tools arrived at the park to reclaim the neglected trail.

Department workers then added the new swinging bridge and new wooden steps to the project.

Schaefer and Burton were among the hikers dressed in jeans and sturdy boots who were ready to explore the new trails as soon as Zehringer cut the ribbon.

mlane@dispatch.com

@MaryBethLane1