Middlecreek Township, Pa. – August 16 – Land in Pennsylvania’s Laurel Highlands that provides wildlife habitat and scenic views of Laurel Hill State Park in Somerset County is now permanently protected, the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy (WPC) announced today.
The approximately 184-acre property in Middlecreek Township is adjacent to Laurel Hill State Park and, from an overlook tower, offers exquisite views of the Laurel Ridge and park. Although not public land until today, many park-goers and visitors accessed the property to photograph and experience the beauty of the Laurel Highlands or attend picnics and events held at Penn Scenic View.
The Conservancy transferred the property today, along with buildings and facilities, to the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) Bureau of State Parks to become a permanent addition to Laurel Hill State Park. The state park will now consist of more than 4,200 acres of mountainous terrain and hosts 15 miles of hiking trails; future plans include a new trail connection between this addition and established park trails.
“Anchored amid the Laurel Highlands’ abundant beauty, Penn Scenic View – with its more than 180 acres, pond and combination of buildings – will directly benefit Laurel Hill State Park visitors and complement what DCNR already offers in that region with its popular state parks and Forbes State Forest,” said DCNR Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn. “This acquisition accentuates the value of long-time DCNR partnerships with WPC and other conservancies, drawn together by the shared goal of land conservation.”
In addition to the scenic views, the property has important conservation value. It is directly adjacent to and part of the surrounding upland landscape of the Laurel Hill State Park Natural Heritage Area where floodplain forest of Laurel Hill Creek, wetlands and slopes support a number of state rare species, including the state endangered Appalachian blue violet (Viola appalachiensis).
The partially forested property is also located within Pennsylvania Audubon Society’s Youghiogheny Valley/Ohiopyle State Park Important Bird Area (IBA). This IBA provides necessary wildlife habitat and breeding grounds for a wide variety of migrating birds, including species dependent on habitats within forests and near waterways. This newly conserved forested land buffers a tributary to Laurel Creek and further complements efforts to safeguard the water quality of the main stem of Laurel Creek, which was listed in 2009 as one of the 10 most endangered waterways in the country by the conservation group American Rivers.
“Conservancy staff worked with the owners and park staff to protect this picturesque property and preserve one of the most spectacular views of the Laurel Highlands,” said Thomas Saunders, president and CEO of the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy. “This is a wonderful addition to Laurel Hill State Park.”
The property was purchased from Penn Scenic View, Inc. The conservation of this land was made possible through grants from the Richard King Mellon Foundation, Colcom Foundation and DCNR.
The Conservancy has a long history of land protection in the Laurel Highlands, with more than 83,300 acres protected to date since 1951.
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If you plan to visit Laurel Hill State Park in the near future, please be advised that this area, formerly known as Penn Scenic View, is not yet accessible to the public. The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) and Bureau of State Parks are currently working to develop an operational plan for this new section of the park. Visitor safety at the site is a priority, so they are also actively evaluating the property and its infrastructure. They will open sections of the property to the public in phases when it can be assured that visitors will have a safe and pleasant experience. If you have any questions, please contact Michael Mumau, the Laurel Hill Complex park manager with DCNR, at (814) 445-7725 or mmumau@pa.gov. Thanks for your patience as this property is transitioned into the state park system!
Photos are available courtesy of the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy:
High-res photos: http://bit.ly/2aGNyik and http://bit.ly/2bgCSLD
Photos for web use: http://bit.ly/2aKDncl and http://bit.ly/2bgD4L2
Map: http://bit.ly/2aGMUS4
About the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy:
The Western Pennsylvania Conservancy (WPC) protects and restores exceptional places. A private nonprofit conservation organization founded in 1932, WPC has helped to establish ten state parks, conserved more than a quarter million acres of natural lands and protected or restored more than 3,000 miles of rivers and streams. The Conservancy owns and operates Fallingwater, which symbolizes people living in harmony with nature. In addition, WPC enriches our region’s cities and towns through 130 community gardens and other green spaces that are planted with the help of about 12,000 volunteers. The work of the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy is accomplished through the support of more than 10,000 members. For more information, visit WaterLandLife.org.
Media Contact:
Kristen Blevins
Communications Specialist
412-586-2328
kblevins@paconserve.org