By Wayne W. Kober

This profile was first published on the PA Conservation Heritage website--

William (Bill) C. Forrey was born in Lancaster, PA General Hospital on March 11, 1931, and his wife, Dot, was born on March 12, 1931.

He graduated from Lansdowne, PA High School in 1949, from Penn State University with a Bachelor of Science in Landscape Architecture in 1953, and a Master’s Degree in Regional Planning in 1971.

As part of his landscape architecture classes, Bill had a class project designing a state-like park (lake, cabins, campground, and play areas) which would later serve him well in his PA State Park career.

He was a registered landscape architect from May 1, 1967, to his complete retirement in 2013.

Bill played three years of varsity tennis at Penn State and served as captain of the team his senior year. He did not have a sports scholarship to play tennis.

On July 20, 1953, Bill enlisted in the U. S. Navy and reported to Newport, Rhode Island for Officer Candidate School (OCS).

He graduated from OCS on November 13, 1953, as an Ensign and reported for active duty in Charleston, South Carolina on Thanksgiving Day in 1953.

After three years and seven months, he completed his service with the rank of Lieutenant.

During his military service, he served as the Assistant Communication Officer on the USS Hambelton, as an Engineer Officer on the USS Courser Minesweeper, and as an Instructor at the Mine Warfare School in Yorktown, Virginia.

First Design Jobs

After his military service, Bill had four job offers and accepted a job with Michael Baker, Jr. in the Ardmore, PA office in 1957 doing highway interchange design.

His degree in landscape architecture and his Navy engineering experience gave him a good background for a career in highway design.

After a year, Michael Baker moved Bill to the Harrisburg Office where he continued to do interchange design into 1959.

Switch To Parks

On May 9, 1960, Bill was hired by the Division of State Parks in the Bureau of Forestry in the PA Department of Forests and Waters.

Shortly after he started working there, a landscape architect PA State Civil Service Exam was created, and Bill passed the exam.

Among Bill’s early assignments were managing the designs of Independence Mall State Park in Philadelphia and Point State Park in Pittsburgh.

In 1961, Bill was promoted to Chief of the Planning Section in the Division of State Parks and served in that position until 1964.

In 1964, Bill became the Assistant Director of the Division of State Parks and served in that position until 1973.

In 1971, the PA Department of Forests and Waters became the PA Department of Environmental Resources, and the Bureau of State Parks was created.

Director Of State Parks

In 1974, Bill became the Director of the Bureau of State Parks who was responsible for the planning, development, coordination, operation, and evaluation of 114 State Parks.

He served in that capacity until 1992 when he retired from state service. This required the supervision of 650 salaried and 1400 wage employees. 

Among the multi-disciplined professionals in the Bureau were architects, engineers, landscape architects, foresters, park superintendents, botanists, zoologists, and wildlife specialists.

The planning, design, maintenance, and operation of the State Parks involved: land acquisition; 35 sewage treatment plants; 2661 buildings, 300 bridges; 400 miles of roads; 7, 400 campsites; 275 family cabins; 55 swimming beaches: 17 swimming pools; 1,000 miles of hiking trails; and 278,000 acres of State-Owned State Park lands.

National Recreation Leadership Roles

During his tenure as PA State Park Bureau Director, he served as President of the Northeastern Association of State Park Directors; and served as the National Recreation and Park Association’s representative on coordinating the publication of the Park Practice Programs. 

In 1985, the Bureau hosted the National Association of State Park Director’s annual conference with 43 out of 50 states being represented. A tour of the Amish Country in Lancaster County was a highlight of the conference program.

Growing The State Park System

Bill and his family traveled to many of the Pennsylvania State Parks and to many states attending conferences of the national park managers’ organizations.

Their favorite state park was Promised Land State Park where they enjoyed staying at a family cabin over several years.

Bill reflected that anytime he was traveling near a state park, he would swing through the park.

The familiarity he gained through these visits proved to be very valuable in his interactions with state park employees, managers, politicians, and in particular, his boss, Maurice Goddard.

Maurice was well-known for his in-depth knowledge of Pennsylvania forests, waters, and state parks.

Bill described how when he was appointed as Director of the Bureau of State Parks, he memorized information about each park such as park acreage, number of campsites, cabins, and water bodies so he wasn’t caught flat-footed by Goddard.

Goddard most often addressed agency employees by their last name. He would say, “now Forrey…”

Bill noted that in 1988, he visited all 114 parks in the system. The last park he visited on Christmas Eve in 1988 was the Allegheny Islands State Park in the Pittsburgh area.

In recognition of his accomplishment of visiting all the state parks in one year, his Deputy Director presented him with a certificate.

Retired… But Far From Done

After he retired from the Bureau of State Parks in 1992, Bill served as Assistant to the President of RBA Group Engineers, Planners, and Architects as a marketing person from July 1, 1992, to January 25, 2004.

RBA does park master plans, trail feasibility studies, greenway master plans, and bicycle-pedestrian master plans. He was directly involved in the development of the PA Greenway Plan.

From January 26, 2004, to September 10, 2010, Bill served as a marketing person and project manager for Arora and Associates, P.C. Consulting Engineers who do park master plans, trail feasibility studies, bicycle-pedestrian plans, and greenway master plans.

During the Spring Semesters of York College of PA from 1982 to 2013, Bill taught the Outdoor Recreation Course.

“Do It Right”

Through Bill’s long conservation career in the private and public sectors, he promoted the philosophy of  “Do it right, right for the best use of the natural resource while protecting the environment.”

Most of Bill’s tenure with PA State Parks was under the leadership of Maurice K. Goddard, long-time professor and director of the Penn State School of Forestry, the Secretary of the PA Department of Forests and Waters, and the first Secretary of the PA Department of Environmental Resources.

Bill is widely regarded for his diligence in researching and writing three editions of the “History of State Parks” with the latest edition covering 2016 to 2023 published in 2024.

Two previous editions were “History of Pennsylvania’s State Parks: 1893-1983” and “History of Pennsylvania State Parks: 1984 to 2015.”   [Click Here for copies.]

These publications have proven to be invaluable sources of information about the legacy of the PA State Parks system. The data and information in them are frequently referenced by managers and others in their decision-making. 

The genesis of these books was: 1)  Bill’s Master’s thesis, “History of Pennsylvania State Parks” researched and published for his Master’s Degree in Regional Planning from the Penn State Capitol Campus; and 2) the need for management data, such as the price of State Park camping fees 

In 2024, there are now 124 parks in a system which grew from 250 acres to 298, 623 acres.

Bill’s writing ability and passion for writing almost led him to pursue a career in journalism as a sportswriter.

The apple didn’t fall far from the tree as his father was a copy editor for the New York Times and the Philadelphia Inquirer.

However, he was originally enrolled at Penn State in journalism, but his desire to provide a natural setting for people to enjoy unorganized recreation led him into the field of landscape architecture and state park management.

Always A Leader

No matter where Bill goes, he ends up assuming leadership roles-  From: the captain of his high school and college tennis teams; to his Navy service as a Lieutenant; to Director of the Bureau of State Parks; to the President of the Penn State Alumni Association; to the President of the Penn State Club of Greater Harrisburg; to the President of the Pa Parks and Recreation and Park Society; to the President of the Northeastern Association of State Park Directors; to playing in the National Tournament of the U. S. Tennis Association League Tennis matches in Surprise, Arizona and being part of the Mid-Atlantic Championship Team at the age of 70; to playing tennis until he was 88: to serving as an adjunct professor at York College and Penn State; to serving as Vice Chair of the Pennsylvania Parks and Forest Foundation; to serving as the President of the Allenberry Resort Club; to the Vice President of the Camp Hill Borough Council; to the Cumberland County and Tri-County Planning Commissions; to the President of the Camp Hill Borough Council; to the Steering Committee of 911 National Memorial Trail; to the President of the Serra Club of Harrisburg; to a Eucharistic Minister of the Church of Good Shepherd in Camp Hill, Pennsylvania; to organizing the popular PA Department of Forests and Waters, Department of Environmental Resources, and Department of Conservation and Natural Resources retirees luncheons and annual Christmas party from 2001 to 2023; and to a host of other organizations.

Currently, he serves as a member of the Rector’s Council of Mount Saint Mary’s Seminary in Emmitsburg, Maryland, and the Chaplain of the Camp Hill American Legion Post 43.

Recognition

Bill received recognition and awards from virtually every organization he served.

As one example, the Mansion Building at the Kings Gap Environmental Education Center was recently named the “Bill Forrey Conference Center” by the PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources in recognition of his exemplary service to the Commonwealth in the Bureau of State Parks.

71 Years Of Family

Along with his wife, Dot, of 71 years, they raised four children: Janet, Susan, Betsy, and Reverend William, Jr. All of them graduated from college. Also, William, Jr. graduated from seminary and now serves as a pastor in Harrisburg.

Undoubtedly, Bill dedicated his life to serving his wife, his children, and his community, always with an eye for helping others enjoy life and serving as a role model and mentor.

He made a big mark in the conservation field as the PA State Park System is recognized as one of the best in the nation.

As a registered landscape architect, Bill used his training and experience to advocate for safe, attractive, and functional outdoor recreation facilities and recreation opportunities for everyone.

Those having the pleasure of working with Bill express that they really appreciate his quiet, persistent, considerate, and can-do approach to everything he does.

Visit the Pennsylvania Conservation Heritage website to see more profiles of conservation leaders, educator resources for teaching Pennsylvania’s conservation history, video documentaries and much more.

Written by Wayne W. Kober from a Series of In-Person Visits and Delightful Conversations with Bill and Dot Forrey in November 2024.

Resource Link:

-- PA Conservation Heritage Project Profile: Jack Winieski Dedicated His Professional Career To Improving Trees Through Genetics - By Wayne W. Kober  [PaEN]

Related Articles - Awards & Recognition:

-- Guest Essay: Pennsylvania Firefighters Rise To The Challenge As Wildfires Spark Across Pennsylvania - By Seth Cassell, PA State Forester & Thomas Cook, State Fire Commissioner  [PaEN]

-- The Daily Item Guest Essay: Now Is The Time To Double Our Efforts To Protect Our Environment, Our Grandchildren; Saying You Care Means Little, Only Action Counts - By Jack D. Miller, Lewisburg  [PDF of Article]

-- PennLive Guest Essay: Our Society Needs To Do More Right Now To Deal With Global Warming - By Gisell Morales, Student at Dauphin County Technical School

-- Republican Herald: Donated PA Campers To House Carolina Hurricane Survivors

-- TribLive: Members Of High School Fishing Club Help To Restock Pine Creek With Trout In Allegheny County

-- Courier Times: Bucks County Post Office To Be Named For Beloved Worker Who Was A Flood Victim In 2023

[Posted: November 27, 2024]

12/2/2024