Cherry Springs State Park
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| Cherry Springs State Park, Pennsylvania, USA | |
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| IUCN Category III (Natural Monument) | |
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| Location: | Potter County, Pennsylvania, USA |
| Nearest city: | Coudersport, Pennsylvania |
| Coordinates: | |
| Governing body: | Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources |
Cherry Springs State Park is a 48 acre (0.19 km²) Pennsylvania State Park located in Potter County, Pennsylvania in the United States. The park was created from land within the Susquehannock State Forest, and is located on Pennsylvania Route 44. Cherry Springs State Park is named for a large stand of cherry trees in the park.
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[edit] Astronomical Observing
Cherry Springs State Park is known for some of the clearest, darkest skies in the state. Due to the relative remoteness from all major metropolitan areas in Pennsylvania (Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Lehigh Valley, and Scranton/Wilkes-Barre), Cherry Springs S.P. plays host to two major east coast star parties each year. Most astronomers with large Schmidt-Cassegrains with sensitive CCD cameras and Dobsonian telescopes will trek to Cherry Springs S.P. during the "dark sky period," the 14-day period between the last quarter and first quarter phases of the moon.
In an effort to preserve the dark sky conditions at Cherry Springs State Park, the local townships in Potter County have adopted ordinances that require electrical lighting shields that eliminates the "spray" associated with light pollution. In fact, whenever astronomers are present, all white lights are banned, thus requiring the use of red flashlights or filters that allow astronomers to see, and at the same time, preserve their night vision (which takes at least 2 hours to fully see all of the astronomical objects).
[edit] History
[edit] Pioneers
The area surrounding has been a wilderness area for much of its history. One of the first settlers, Jonathan Edgecomb, built a log house that became known as the Cherry Springs Hotel. It was in a very remote location and had very few visitors other than the occassional wandering traveler or Native American.
[edit] The Lumber Era
By the mid 19th century the demand for lumber reached the Black Moshannon area, where White pine and hemlock covered the surrounding mountainsides. Lumbermen came and harvested the trees and sent them down the creeks to the West Branch Susquehanna River to the log boom and sawmills at Williamsport.
[edit] Civilian Conservation Corps
Many of the facilities at Cherry Springs State park were constructed during the Great Depression by the Civilian Conservation Corps founded by American President Franklin Roosevelt. The CCC created many jobs for the out of work young men of Coudersport, Galeton and Wellsboro. Cherry Springs State Park is just one of many examples of the work of the Civilian Conservation Corps throughout North Central Pennsylavania. The picnic pavilion is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Cherry Springs CCC Camp was one of ten such camps built in the midst of Susquehannock State Forest. The young men of the CCC camps worked to clear brush from the woods as a fire prevention measure. They also built hiking trails and roads.
[edit] Recreation
[edit] Camping
The camping facilities at Cherry Springs State Park are rustic. This means there is no running water. All the campsites have a picnic table, fire ring and a lantern hanger. There is a sanitary dump station for users of RV's.
[edit] Picnics
The picnic area on the south side of Pennsylvania Route 44 is the location of the historic, CCC built pavilion. The pavilion is built mainly of logs. It is a double pavilion with a stone fireplace in the center. The area surrounding the pavilion has many picnic tables situated in an old apple orchard and a stand ofhuge White Pine and Norway spruce trees.
[edit] Mountain Biking
A 15 mile mountain bike trail begins at Denton Hill State Park and passes through Patterson State Park and ends at Cherry Springs State Park.
[edit] Woodsmen's Show
The Cherry Springs Woodsmen's Show is held at Cherry Springs State Park every August and is sponsored by the Galeton Rotary Club. The three day weekend offers a bit of excitement for everyone. Every event has a connection to Potter County's rich lumbering history. It has been held every year since 1952 and attracts thousands of visitors every summer. The events include tree-felling, log rolling, spring board chopping, the standing block chop and chainsaw events.
[edit] Nearby State Parks
- Sinnemahoning State Park
- Bucktail State Park
- Elk State Park
- Patterson State Park
- Prouty Place State Park
- Denton Hill State Park
- Lyman Run State Park
- Ole Bull State Park
- Sizerville State Park
[edit] References
- Mountain Bike Trail. Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. Retrieved on 2006-11-04.
- Cherry Springs State Park. Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. Retrieved on 2006-11-04.
