Parks & Forests Care & Maintenance
In 2017, with the support of the Richard King Mellon Foundation, PPFF undertook a comprehensive study of the maintenance needs in our state parks and forests. The resulting report (The Legacy of Pennsylvania’s State Parks and Forests: The Future Is In Our Hands) is an in-depth look at these ongoing and urgent needs.
On March 25th, PPFF penned an open letter to Governor Wolf and the members of the General Assembly reiterating our support for the full funding of the Keystone Recreation, Park and Conservation Fund (the “Keystone Fund”) and the Environmental Stewardship Fund. When more money is needed to support our state parks and forests (and community and local recreation projects, too), now is not the time to consider diverting any of the dedicated funds supporting these resources.
Our parks and forests are economic engines, vacation destinations, and sources of health and well-being for all Pennsylvanians. Find out more:
Fact Sheets/Infographics
The Environmental Rights Amendment to Pennsylvania’s Constitution
The Importance of Investing
Funding History, a look at the various “pots of money” from which park/forest support has come
The Economics of the Outdoors
The Health Benefits of Pennsylvania State Parks & Forests
The Outdoor Recreation Economy, 2017 Study by the Outdoor Industry Association
A Dedicated Crew, Jobs in Conservation at DCNR
Infrastructure and Its Needs, an overview of the outstanding maintenance needs
Nature Based Tourism, a benefit of well-cared for public places
Green Infrastructure, one priority ensuring the future of our parks and forests
Dams
Roads & Bridges
Water Management
Press/Editorials
Lake Nockamixon state park needs $24 million to fix hazardous conditions, rotting picnic benches and bathrooms so bad ‘some people won’t go into them’, 9/6/2019: Allentown Morning Call
Nolde Forest needs nearly $1 million, supporters of the Berks park say during tour, 9/5/19: Reading Eagle
Deferred repairs, budget cuts threaten Keystone, other state parks, officials say, 8/6/2019: Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
$1 billion needed for infrastructure, maintenance at Pennsylvania state parks, forests, 2/8/2019: Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
Commitment to State Parks is important, 2/18/2019: Altoona Mirror
State parks and forests advocates calling for action, 2/7/19: CBS 21 (video and story)
State parks and forests face $1 billion maintenance funding shortfall, 1/28/2019: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Kick-Off 1/28/2019
Remarks by Tina Molski, Director of Operations, REI’s East Coast Distribution Center-Bedford and Vice Chair of the PPFF Board
Remarks by Katie Hess, South Mountain Partnership
Remarks by Andre Weltman, Friends of Pine Grove Furnace
Remarks by Richard Lewis, Pennsylvania Forestry Association
Remarks by Marci Mowery, President of PPFF