State Parks Hosting Get Outdoors Day Observances On June 13

Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Acting Secretary John Quigley announced today that six State Parks across Pennsylvania have been selected to host a day-long series of special events as part of a nationwide Get Outdoors Day celebration on Saturday, June 13.

 

“Living in a state blessed with 117 State Parks and 2.1 million acres of state forestland, it’s not hard to step outside and enjoy the great outdoors, but many people are working to make that experience even easier,” Acting Secretary Quigley said. “The second annual Get Outdoors Day celebration gives us a chance to showcase what is offered from Bucks to Erie counties.”

 

The Acting Secretary noted Gov. Rendell gave the effort strong momentum in late May when he joined other state governors, a consortium of federal agencies and nonprofit organizations, and the recreation industry in proclaiming June as Great Outdoors Month.

 

“This upcoming special day is geared to first-time visitors to our parks,” Acting Secretary Quigley said. “DCNR has pitched in by urging state residents to visit their area state parks and state forestlands and see what they have been missing.”

 

Daylong, special Get Outdoors activities are planned at the following state parks: Nockamixon, Bucks County; Nescopeck, Luzerne County; Parker Dam, Clearfield County; Keystone, Westmoreland County; Moraine, Butler County; and Presque Isle, Erie County.

 

All six State Parks are showcasing what Pennsylvania’s world of the outdoors have to offer, while, at the same time, embracing the philosophy of the American Recreation Coalition, an extensive network of outdoors-oriented, governmental agencies, conservation groups, and related businesses, committed to bucking a very disturbing trend -- a trend highlighted by Governor Rendell in his proclamation:

 

“Great Outdoors Month is a significant opportunity to help reconnect our children to nature and reverse the troubling nationwide trends of children spending half as much time outside as they did 20 years ago and spending six and a half hours each day ‘plugged into’ electronic media,” the Governor said. “Outdoor recreation is vital to the economy of the Commonwealth, and the health and well-being of its residents; and this worthy pursuit will be showcased in Pennsylvania on Saturday, June 13.”

 

Increased involvement in outdoors-based activities was the driving force that drew hundreds to the 2007 Governor’s Outdoor Conference, and has been the impetus of state planning and strategy sessions to reverse what has become a national trend away from outdoor activities.

 

Get Outdoors Day will feature kayaking demonstrations, birds-of- prey exhibits, hiking and biking, special tips for first-time campers at the six participating State Parks.