Keystone Today

Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf announced that three new state parks will be created as part of a total investment of $696 million for conservation, recreation and preservation through the governor’s budget.

The new parks are Susquehanna Riverlands in York County, Vosburg Neck in Wyoming County, and Big Elk Creek in Chester County with the names temporary, according to a Monday news release from Wolf's office. The investment for the new parks totals $45 million, and these parks will be ready and operational by the end of 2026.

“Our beautiful state parks are among the finest in the nation,” 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.”

There are 121 state parks in Pennsylvania, and Wolf has added more state parks than any governor in four decades, according to the Governor's Office. This includes the three parks and Washington Crossing, which was added in 2016.

The new parks are designed to not only meet high demand shown for the recreational areas in Pennsylvania, but also to conserve about 3,500 acres of natural and cultural resources. 

The Susquehanna Riverlands is in Hellam Township and includes 1,100 acres of mostly wooded land. It is located where Codorus Creek flows into the Susquehanna River. The Lancaster Conservancy helped in acquiring the land. Becasue it is next to Hellam Hills and Wizard Ranch, the combination is the largest protected wooded area along the Susquehanna River between Harrisburg, York and Lancaster.

“By working side by side with DCNR, we are creating a conservation landscape that future generations will benefit from,” said Phil Wenger, president of Lancaster Conservancy. “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.”

Vosburg Neck will be the first state park in Wyoming County. It include 696 acres acquired with help from North Branch Land Trust. This scenic area has hiking, shared-use trails and public access to the North Branch of the Susquehanna River.

Big Elk Creek has been under pressure from residential and commercial development. The 1,712 acres were acquired through the Conservation Fund with help from the Mt. Cuba Center and Chester County. It includes a 3.5-mile area of Big Elk Creek, which is a tributary of the Elk River and Chesapeake Bay. 

The area has historical significance. Not only was it part of the Underground Railroad, but also a transportation and natural resource area for thousands of years.

“Each new park site is unique in its value to a great system,” said Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn. “All of the new parks are steeped in cultural pre- and post-Colonial history, centered around important water resources and represent fantastic natural resource value.”