Welcome!
Greetings fellow outdoor enthusiasts! Thank you for visiting our website!
I am so very excited to share with you the Gold Medal Tour. The tour celebrates the Pennsylvania state park system winning the Gold Medal Award from the American Academy of Park and Recreation Management in partnership with the National Recreation and Park Association, and proudly sponsored by Musco Lighting. Over the course of the next six weeks-and possibly into the summer, we will be visiting 33 parks, holding press events, and offering opportunities to view the award and celebrate our great park system. View our calendar to see if we are visiting a park near you!
Can’t get out to visit us? Visit us on Facebook and follow the journey as we travel the state.
One of my goals this year is to visit all 117 state parks and 20 forest districts. Have a favorite trail, vista, campsite at a park I shouldn’t miss? I’m looking for those unique gems that users of our system know—such as the Bog Trail at Black Moshannon State Park—one of my favorite spots for contemplation.
We just celebrated our Fourth Annual Awards Banquet. Nominations for the 2011 banquet will be accepted beginning in September. Keep an eye on our website for more details. If you would like to see pictures from this year’s banquet, click HERE.
During the long winter months, the Foundation worked studiously to create a series of informational sheets to help us all better understand the value our parks and forests bring. Yes, I know, you are visiting our website so you KNOW and LOVE our parks and forests. Kudos to you! Unfortunately, not everyone sees the value that we know intrinsically. Health, economics, quality of life—all these factors improve when we have access to parks and forests. Follow the links below to learn more.
Health Benefits Fact Sheet
Economics Fact Sheet
Quality of Life Fact Sheet
Maurice K. Goddard Fact Sheet
Just how much DO you love your state parks and forests? Let us know! We are always interested in hearing your stories.
Yours in the Outdoors,
Marci Mowery
President
Pennsylvania Parks and Forests
P.S. Betcha Didn't Know! Click HERE to watch a video about some unusual things that you may not know about state parks & what they have to offer.
P.P.S. Its great to be free! Click HERE to watch a video celebrating how wonderful it is to be able to enjoy PA state parks absolutely free.
Our intention is to have a dynamic webpage that invites you back time and again. We encourage your feedback, stories, and enthusiasm.
