Keystone State Park Goes In For A Green Touch-Up By Planting Trees

A lot of hard work has resulted in a greener Keystone State Park with the addition of 102 additional trees and shrubs.

The Friends of Keystone State Park, park staff, and numerous volunteers have planted native trees and shrubs throughout the park over the past year, with the majority of the plantings most evident around the beach area and along the new 2.2 mile trail that encircles the lake.

The new greenery at the beach have helped to control the resident goose population from accessing and soiling the grassy area and sand near the swimming area, and have also assisted in retaining the sand and other sediments from being washed into the lake during periods of heavy rain.

In the main picnic area, they will help to break-up the large, seldom-used grassy areas along with controlling the rain run-off and. The trees in this area will also serve as the next generation of shade tree for picnickers as the older mature trees reach their full maturity.

Additional plantings can also be found along various tributaries coming into the lake. These plantings will assist in stream bank stabilization, thus decreasing the amount of sediment that is washed into Keystone Lake.

Financial support for portions of this project were provided by the Dominion Foundation. The Friends of Keystone State Park were successful in obtaining a grant through a program that was administered by the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy.

For those interested in helping with the tree planting program at Keystone State Park, call 724-668-2939.