Alaska's 56 million acres of national parks get a lot of attention around the world. Our spectacular, remote wildlands will get a lot of well-deserved air time in the new Ken Burns film series airing on PBS later this month, "The National Parks: America's Best Idea."

But those of us who live here know that some of the state's most enjoyable outdoor adventures are close at hand in state parks.

Chugach State Park is Anchorage's backyard wilderness, an empty expanse of mountains and tundra covering a half-million acres. The section in Eklutna valley, with its glimmering green glacial lake stretching six miles between majestic mountain peaks, might be a national park if it were in the Lower 48.

Residents of the Mat-Su have a fine array of smaller state parks and recreation areas, including Denali State Park and places like Nancy Lakes and Hatcher Pass. With the lousy economy, Mat-Su state parks proved quite popular this year as residents spent took "staycations" close to home. So far use at Mat-Su state parks is up about 20 percent over last year, according to local superintendent Wayne Biessel.

With heavy use and tight budgets, it is a challenge to keep state parks clean and safe. They're vulnerable to vandalism, especially in the more remote locations. Restrooms are a common target. In some places, like Canoe Lake and Long Lake, the state gave up and closed the restrooms long ago.

That's changing now, thanks to a $1 million improvement initiative. The state is using the money to install "bombproof," easy-to-maintain restrooms in various Mat-Su parks. Though they look like they are made of wood and stone, they are actually pre-fab concrete units that are easy to clean and withstand heavy use and abuse. A total of about 20 units are in the works for Mat-Su.

Finger Lake and Bradley-Kepler Lakes already have them, and the new units have brought restroom service back to Canoe Lake and Long Lake. Independence Mine, Nancy Lakes, Big Lake and King Mountain are on the future upgrade list.

Offering decent restrooms is a pretty basic service that is reasonable to expect in our state parks. With the new facilities, Mat-Su parks will offer a better experience for local residents and visitors alike.