The addition of three new state parks certainly has sparked interest and excitement. Several people sent word that they were putting Vosburg Neck high on the list of places to visit. 

Yes, we ARE working on the updated Pennsylvania State Parks & State Forests Passport. These additions came at an opportune time as our stock is low and we were planning a reprint soon. Of course, that comes with challenges as well! 

Bear in mind a few things - the names given last week are not necessarily the final names and the three areas are in various states of development. Mostly they are UN-developed, although Vosburg Neck has infrastructure and a bit of a jumpstart on planning. So we need to make a decision on things like how to do the layout (parks and forests are alphabetical so what happens if the names do change ...); quantity to be printed (bearing in mind the possibility of changes); and where to steer people to get their all important stamps! 

In the meantime, Vosburg Neck does grace the masthead this week in a photo shared by DCNR. Greg Deibler notes in the comments that "[t]he neck is also home to one of the longest and best preserved segments of the original North Branch Canal...which you can see in this photo. The rest of its route was either taken over by the railroad or buried long ago, so hopefully PHMC can lend some resources to mark the site and help preserve it."

Very cool!

A welcome take on the new parks was provided by the Scranton Times with their October 1st editorial linking the creation of the new parks to visionary Doc Goddard. Thanks to PA Environment Digest Blog for sharing the editorial. 

If you should find yourself near Gifford Pinchot State Park this weekend, be sure to check out the annual gathering of the Wooden Canoe Heritage Association, hosted by the Delaware Valley Chapter. The Conewago Day Use area of the park is the place to be to, as they put it, "celebrate the beauty and history of wooden canoes." In the past, a photo or two of the gathering has appeared in Take Five and the boats are truly gorgeous. So is this shot from the gathering in 2019 (photographer unknown to me)!

Not long ago, PPFF was approached by Alyson Rotello, a student at Slippery Rock University. She was charged with applying for a grant as part of a course she was taking and asked if we would work with her to have this real world experience. Always looking to nurture the next generation of conservation leaders, we readily agreed. 

Alyson researched a project, identified a grant maker, established a relationship, and was one of only two students in the class to successfully receive funding! Her grant will assist in relocating and updating the amphitheater at Sinnemahoning State Park. Thank you Alyson and National Fuel!

Supplement your visit to the DCNR Fall Foliage Report (click the box above) each week with a check on PPFF guest blogger Christian Alexandersen's leaf peeping recommendations. Is your favorite place on his lists?

The Camping in Pennsylvania State Parks Book of Faces is a treasure trove of fun photos. It is private, though, so you have to join and promise to behave. It's worth it!

The last of September asked how many acres were brought into the system with parks 122, 123, and 124? Various media sources cited anywhere between 3,400 and 3,500. So that's good enough. (DCNR's official count adds up to 3,413 with 1,700 for Big Elk Creek, 1044 for Susquehanna Riverlands, and 669 for Vosburg Neck.)

Congratulations for Turbotville Jill for her random selection as our September winner.

To kick off October trivia, the Friends of Ridley Creek are celebrating the 50th anniversary of the park this weekend with lots of fun activities. One involves the MUT. What is the MUT?

Enter each week to increase your chances of a fabulous prize at the end of the month when I'll draw one entry from all correct answers received during the month.

Reports are still coming in from the parks and forests events but so far we know that almost 200 volunteers planted 20 trees, cleared four trails and a lakeshore, demolished a rundown building of indeterminate origin, filled two dumpsters (one with recyclables), built bird boxes, and scrubbed a LOT of rocks with 2 gallons of elephant snot.

Some of those trees (upper left) were a result of the Hazy IPA created by New Trail Brewing for Hyner View but don't forget that the new Replenish IPA is crafted specifically to create a tree planting fund at PPFF to replace trees across the commonwealth. Drink up! (But don't drive and drive. And remember, alcohol is not allowed in state parks.)

We'll continue to include a look at DCNR's calendar of events for another month or so but you'll note that things will definitely slow soon.

Put a bookmark on the PPFF Events calendar and DCNR Calendar of Events so you never miss an announcement.

A couple more weekends to go!

Blue boxes locate events; green photographs and news. 

Photo by Jennifer Hreha. Chapman State Park.

Sentiment by A.A. Milne in his essay, "A Word for Autumn." It is a lovely read.

Curious that Milne looks upon celery as I do the ubiquitous "hardy mum."