Department of Conservation and Natural Resources officials Wednesday met with local legislators to update them on plans for a study related to the local community and visitor experience at the 3,002-acre Beltzville State Park in Carbon County.

Especially on summer holiday weekends, crowds often exceed the capacity of the park’s parking lots and other facilities.

“With the help of a contractor, DCNR will be talking with different stakeholders who live and work around, and visit the park, about the challenges that the park’s popularity presents, and about whether they have any suggested solutions,” DCNR Director of the Bureau of State Parks John Hallas said.

Beginning Wednesday with a meeting with Rep. Doyle Heffley (R-Carbon) and staff from the office of Sen. John Yudichak (D-Luzerne), Ann Toole of Toole Recreation Planning, will be interviewing stakeholders for their perspective on the challenges and solutions.  The information gathered will be used to create a public survey that will be conducted through Penn State.

Starting in mid-summer of this year, Penn State representatives will visit the park to survey visitors in person through Labor Day weekend, and would anticipate returning in 2019 to survey from Memorial Day weekend through mid-summer.

The land at the park is owned by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for flood control, and managed for recreation by DCNR.

Attractions at Beltzville State Park include Pohopoco Creek, an excellent trout stream that feeds the 949-acre Beltzville Lake, which is a destination for boaters. Other attractions include the 525’ sand swimming beach; and picnic areas.

Visit the Beltzville State Park webpage to learn more about the park.

For more information on state parks and forests and recreation in Pennsylvania, visit DCNR’s website, Click Here to sign up for the Resource newsletter, Visit the Good Natured DCNR Blog,  Click Here for upcoming events, Click Here to hook up with DCNR on other social media-- Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Flickr.

NewsClips:

Designed For Green Play, South Philly Schoolyard Wins Recognition

PEC: Plotting A Course On Pennsylvania’s River Sojourns

Clinton County Bike Projects Spring Into Motion

Sen. Yudichak Steps Up With D&L Trail Hiking Initiative

Editorial: Trail Projects Build Progress

Scout’s Project Resurfaces Kirby Park Track In Wilkes-Barre

June 14 Set As Opening Date For Philly’s Rail Park

Recreation Program Playing For Keeps In Reading

Presque Isle Group Discusses Peninsula Drive, New Play Space

May 18 Take Five Fridays With Pam, PA Parks & Forests Foundation

Op-Ed: An Electronic Billboard In Fairmount Park: Is Nothing Sacred?

Philly Councilman Seeks Fairmount Park Rezone For Billboard

Staycations Helped This Whitewater Rafting Business Ride It Out

McKelvey: Ticks & Lyme Disease: The Problem No One’s Doing Anything About

CDC: Tick, Mosquito, Flea Illness On The Rise In PA

Company Planning To Drill Waste Injection Well In Allegheny National Forest

[Posted: May 17, 2018]

5/21/2018