Standing at the newly completed trailhead of the southern portion of the Pine Creek Trail, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Michael DiBerardinis this week unveiled a recreation plan for the 12-county region in north-central Pennsylvania known as the Pennsylvania Wilds.

The goal of the Pennsylvania Wilds initiative is to increase outdoor recreation and heritage tourism across north-central Pennsylvania consistent with responsible stewardship of the region's public lands. DCNR provides outdoor recreation opportunities on the 27 state parks and 1.3 million acres of state forests in the Pennsylvania Wilds.

The overall objective of the 108-page plan, prepared by Texas-based contractor Fermata, Inc., is to improve access to recreation opportunities while maintaining DCNR's stewardship responsibilities. The planning process included:

· An inventory of the recreational assets and natural features of state parks, state forests, state game lands, Allegheny National Forest and the major corps of engineer facilities in the region;

· An assessment of recreational experiences at key state park and state forest locations;

· An analysis of the outdoor recreation activity trends in Pennsylvania and the five surrounding states;

· Special studies of Cherry Springs State Park, Potter County, and the Pine Creek Valley;

· Public outreach and feedback through a project Web site and a series of public meetings; and

· Development of recommendations for staffing and organization, customer service and information, and infrastructure investments.

The plan recommends establishing state park and forest model and signature recreation sites for each key recreation activity identified as important to the region, including sightseeing, hiking and backpacking, wildlife viewing and photography, canoeing and kayaking and biking. It suggests that DCNR make infrastructure investments to support the model sites in order to deliver a quality recreation experience.

The investment recommendations include a gateway visitor center and accompanying nature lodge at S.B. Elliott State Park in Clearfield County; an elk watching and wildlife education center near Benezette, Elk County; a wildlife watching center and trail at Sinnemahoning State Park in Cameron and Potter counties; and improvement projects in the Pine Creek Valley, Cherry Springs State Park, Cook Forest State Park and Kinzua Bridge State Park.

The plan also recommends improving visitor services through better signage, interpretive programs, a website, publications, maps, and expanded recreation programming.

For more information and a copy of the plan, visit the PA Wilds webpage.

7/21/2006