Northhampton News

Gov. Tom Wolf recently announced that three new parks will be added to the Pennsylvania state park system, through a $45 million investment that will not only create opportunities for recreation, but also conserve 3,500 acres of natural resources. 

The state parks, which will take on official names later, are the Susquehanna Riverlands in York County, Vosburg Neck in Wyoming County and Big Elk Creek in Chester County, according to a release by Wolf’s office. These parks are slated to be completed and ready for use by the end of 2026. With the new additions, there are 121 parks in the Pennsylvania state park system.

“Our beautiful state parks are among the finest in the nation,” Gov. Wolf said. “I’m proud to have secured funding in my final budget to make this investment in our park system, which will not only preserve invaluable natural resources and habitats for wildlife but provide in-demand access for Pennsylvanians to enjoy the beauty of nature and recreational opportunities.”

Susquehanna Riverlands is 1,100 acres of mostly wooded land, located where Codorus Creek flows into the Susquehanna River. The Lancaster Conservancy worked with the state to acquire the land. This area is next to Hellam Hills and Wizard Ranch nature preserves, and the three areas protect the last larger wooded area along the river between Harrisburg, York and Lancaster. 

“By working side by side with (the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources) DCNR, we are creating a conservation landscape that future generations will benefit from,” Lancaster Conservancy President Phil Wenger said. “Conservation needs both public and private organizations to partner to offset the impact increased development has on water and air quality, as well as ecological decline, to ensure our natural world doesn’t disappear before our eyes.”

The Vosburg Neck location is 669 acres that was bought with help from the North Branch Land Trust. This is the first state park in Wyoming County. It offers a variety of activities like hiking, walking areas along what was formerly a railroad, and public access to the Susquehanna River.

Big Elk Creek makes up 1,712 acres that was acquired through the Conservation Fund, with help from the Mt. Cuba Center and Chester County. This area has 3.5 miles of Big Elk Creek, which is a tributary of Elk River and Chesapeake Bay. It also his historical significance, as it was part of the Underground Railroad and a transportation area for indigenous people.

"Each new park site is unique in its value to a great system," DCNR Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn said in the release. "All of the new parks are steeped in a cultural pre- and post-colonial history, centered around important water resources and represent fantastic natural resource value."

Gov. Wolf also added Washington Crossing to the state park system in 2016. In the most recent budget, Gov. Wolf invested $696 million into conservation, recreation and preservation.