THE FRIENDS OF The Friends

VOL X ISSUE 2 FALL/WINTER 2017

Planning for ’s State Parks of Tomorrow INSIDE THIS ISSUE by Lauren Bacigalupi

I took the survey, did you? If you’re thinking ‘what PA Parks 1 survey is she talking about?’ - read on! Survey Pennsylvania state parks need to preserve well- are putting together their functioning ecosystems and Sinnamahoning 2 strategic plan for the next habitats, along with healthy State Park 25 years…Yes, you read native plants, animals, and that right- 25 years- and clean water and you begin Friends 4 they want to know what to realize that working Photo you would like to have, get, to conserve our natural Contest and participate in, at these resources and planning for parks. When you think the future of these parks is Park 5 about it, that’s pretty great a tremendous responsibility. Manager news. And while many of us will simply be using these October 5 beautiful places for walking This past July, the Media Fair in our golden years, our Pennsylvania Department children, grandchildren, and of Conservation and Natural their children will have these Resources (DCNR) began amazing places to love and handing out a survey enjoy just like we do today. called Penn’s Parks for All to anyone interested in participating. This survey So, consider this: We allows you to weigh in on have 121 state parks in the future of our parks. The PA covering over 300,000 last assessment survey acres - which means there was done 25 years ago and is a park within 25 miles of influenced the modernized Editor nearly every Pennsylvanian. facilities we enjoy today. Joan Nikelsky These parks in total see This survey will guide the PA over 40 million visits each park system for the next 25 Designer year and do not charge Cathleen Bolduc an entry fee! Add in the cont. on page 2

Friends of RCSP Voicemail Please contact your Friends at any time with your comments and/or questions. Leave a message at 484-442-0223, and someone will get back to you ASAP! PAGE 2 VOL X ISSUE 2 State Parks from Page 1 years, so if you want input, same to me… www.pennsparksforall. this is your chance! In the winter months, I com. It may even spur you If you’re wondering- what wish we could… to go check out some parks a little further down the would I want- here are some The survey asks you all questions to think about: road…you know it will only these types of questions be about 25 miles away! What would make your and really gets you thinking visits to the parks better? about the natural beautiful Lauren Bacigalupi is a member Canoeing? Camping? resources available to you at of the Friends of Ridley Creek Fishing? these parks. The survey will State Park. If my park starting doing be available until October this it would never feel the 31, 2017. So log on now and take the survey at Exploring Pennsylvania’s It is no secret that each State Forests. runs 15.7 miles through the and every Pennsylvania The name Sinnemahoning woods of rural Pennsylvania state park has a very unique comes from the Lenape between the towns of feel and provides its own Native American language Driftwood and Keating. special experience to those and means “Stony Amenity-wise there are who venture there. Ridley Lick.” This was derived several wildlife viewing Creek is very unique by its from the fact that there areas that have trails, sheer size and expansive was reportedly a salt lick raised platforms, and other open undeveloped space found in the vicinity at accessibility features that when compared to its some point. The First Fork enhance the ability to surroundings. But as you go is a take in the scenery and out into rural PA, state parks tributary of the much larger perhaps spot a coyote, don’t have that automatic Sinnemahoning Creek that advantage, forcing them to provide charm to their visitors in other ways. In this newsletter, we are going to look at a park that has managed to do just that. It is called Sinnemahoning State Park and it straddles the border of Southern Potter County and Northern Cameron County in North Central Pennsylvania. The park is unique in many ways. First, it is shaped unusually. It’s very long and narrow and flanks both shorelines of the First Fork Sinnemahoning Creek as it runs through the valley between the Susquehannock and Sinnemahoning State Park FALL/WINTER 2017 PAGE 3 black bear, white tailed deer, groundhog, , roughed grouse, or one of the other special creatures that live in the region. Sinnemahoning State Park is also home to the seldomly seen elk and . There is a 35-site campground for those looking to rough it. Those not looking to rough it are welcome to overnight as well, as the campground is improved with running water and electricity. There is also a newly built visitors center that falls within the design theme of the other newly built welcome centers at other parks. Sinnemahoning Park Office At the southern end is the 157-acre George B. Stevenson Dam that was built by the Commonwealth what it represents. It is park. of Pennsylvania in 1955 a nice demonstration of For those who as part of its efforts to what the Pennsylvania want to experience a control flooding throughout wilds is like. It’s a very neat demonstration of what various parts of the state. different world from what the rural northwoods of Lately, the water level has we experience here in Pennsylvania is like, a visit fluctuated and at times the the western Philadelphia to Sinnemahoning State reservoir has been nearly suburbs. Park is definitely worth a empty due to construction There is a little known trip! projects, but when full it fact that the road that provides many recreational runs by Sinnemahoning opportunities to park was actually rebuilt and visitors, even if it’s only heavily improved as the standing on the shoreline region’s allure drew state and enjoying the impressive officials and politicians views. from Harrisburg to buy There are also miles camps and recreational of trails for hiking in the properties in northern summer and snowmobiling PA. The story has it that This article is third in a series in the winter. The fishing those officials then lobbied about other state parks in season continues year round to improve the roadway Pennsylvania, contributed by for those willing to break the to make getting upstate Friends Board Member, the ice during the cold months. on weekends easier. But much-traveled Paul Mickle. you don’t have to be a In addition to just being politician or public official a special park nestled to enjoy and appreciate between the mountains, traveling the state or visiting Sinnemahoning is also Sinnemahoning or any state special in the sense of PAGE 4 VOL X ISSUE 2 Annual Photo Contest Flaunts Different Seasons and Aspects of Ridley On June 21, the summer Adult Category trail winding through the solstice promised a perfect First place was awarded woods in autumn. It displays backdrop for this year’s to Jenn Walker of Garnett Ridley’s awesome fall annual photo contest Valley for Standing palette. While visiting the reception on the Hunting Hill Out, which focuses park almost monthly, she Mansion patio. But some rain beautifully on crisp, burnt knows what kind of photos storms had different plans. orange leaves against a she’s good at taking and Nevertheless, Friends of background of bare trees. tries to draw in the viewer Ridley Creek State Park, Jenn, who won second and pique their curiosity. photographers, and their place in 2015, visits the Honorable Mention was family members enjoyed park a few times a week awarded to Mei McNeill refreshments inside the and especially enjoys long for Spring in the Park, mansion while honoring this walks during summer which was one of the few year’s winners and viewing evenings. To aspiring entries showing people. a couple dozen photo and other amateur While many photographers entries depicting various photographer, she advises, capture the park’s natural seasons and aspects of our “Be observant of your beauty or wildlife, Mei beloved park. From horses surroundings… Each frames bicyclists under the and woodpeckers to storied season brings something tunnel on the Multi-Use Trail tree trunks and promising new.” shrouded in bright green blossoms, contestants’ Second place was growth. Mei, a housewife pictures covered and awarded to Donna who has lived in Broomall celebrated Ridley from every Colleluori of Aldan for for 16 years, visits the park angle. Traces Through the Trees, several times a month and which makes the advises others to “pick the viewer wonder right angle and go with your who walked feelings.” through the snowy woods that day Youth Category (age 18 and where was and younger) the destination. Donna owns and Rachel Beresford took first runs a painting place in the Youth Category contracting for her picture Lost & Found, business and which depicts one of the suggests you Park’s resident felines who “keep your eyes lives near the Sycamore open” in order to Mills entrance. Rachel is in capture a winning 10th grade at Springfield photograph. “Even High School and visits the the ordinary can park several times a month be beautiful,” she to hike or fish. To get her says. winning photograph, Rachel says, “You have to make the Qwinyetta most of your camera every Maldonado of time it’s in your hands, take Philadelphia was a few extra shots every time awarded third you have the chance.” Jenn Walker - ‘Standing Out’ prize for Pathways, her picture of a FALL/WINTER 2017 PAGE 5

a wide range of arts into the life of the entire community. Congratulations to the winners and all the contestants who celebrated Ridley through their lenses. Visit www.friendsofrcsp.org to see all of the entries from this year’s contest. As you visit the Park with your camera in the coming months, remember all the great advice our winners provided and remember that the photo contest Rachel Beresford - Lost & Found deadline is in early June.

Contest judge Mike contestants during the This article is contributed by Berman, Treasurer and reception to talk about all of Friends Board Member Sandy long-time board member the photographs. The Media Farnan, Co-Chair of Publicity. of the Media Arts Council, Arts Council, located at 609- presented each winner with B W. State Street, supports her ribbon and visited with local artists and integrates Good-bye to Park Manager James Wassell In our last newsletter, about this opportunity and grown to know many of you we welcomed new Park the many pros and cons and truly enjoy this lovely Manager James Wassell. on leaving Ridley Creek park. Ridley Creek will Now we must bid him good- complex for my dream park. always be a special place to bye, as he has decided to In the end, I decided that me and I am sure to come leave Ridley to manage I could not pass up on this back and visit when I can. . opportunity.” While I may be leaving, James told us, “It was not We are sorry to see the staff here is one of something I was planning James go. He left us the best in the state so I or thinking about, but an with encouraging words completely believe the park opportunity to manage of appreciation for his will continue to move in a my dream park where experience here: “I have forward direction.” my DCNR career started, only worked at Ridley Creek presented itself. I thought for a short time and have Friends of Ridley Tabling at Media Fair

we have done in previous our logo on them to give to in October years, we will display those joining or renewing The Friends of Ridley photographs of trail work membership. The Fair is a Creek State Park is planning projects, give out Friends popular event every Fall in to staff a table at the brochures and park maps, Media, with 40 restaurants, Media Food & Craft Fair on talk to people interested in 75 craft vendors, live music, Sunday, October 1 (rain the park, collect donations, and games for children. date Sunday, October 8) and recruit new members. Come on out and look for us from 9 am to 5 pm. As We have lovely mugs with there!