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PCN tours state parks in a new regular series set to air this summer
PCN has joined forces with DCNR to showcase the beauty and versatility of the state's park system with a series of tours guided by Pennsylvania's expert state park staff. The weekly program kicks off at 8:00 p.m. on Friday, May 18 with a visit to Oil Creek State Park in Venango County. The program is designed to highlight the unique features of 10 selected Pennsylvania State Parks. The Commonwealth is home to 117 state parks all of which are filled with wonderful opportunities for the active individual or those interested in a quiet getaway to get back in touch with nature. "We're really excited because the PCN state park tour series will help us to visually showcase some of our most impressive state parks," said DCNR Secretary Michael DiBerardinis. "It's just another way we are encouraging Pennsylvanians every day to have more of an appreciation of their surroundings, to get outdoors and to visit our beautiful public lands." "We at PCN are very proud to partner with DCNR to highlight all that Pennsylvania has to offer," said Brian Lockman, PCN President and CEO. "As the network for Pennsylvania, it just seems to be the perfect fit to have PCN travel around the state and take viewers along for the ride to experience the outdoor treasures offered throughout the Commonwealth." Ten parks were chosen for the series. Each was chosen to showcase its natural beauty, historical significance, and outdoor activities. May 18; 8:00 p.m. - Oil Creek State Park Located in Venango County, this 7,976-acre park is rich in oil history. The park tells the story of the changing landscape caused by the oil boom of the 1860s. The Drake Well Museum is located at the north end of the park. There is also a full-size replica of the engine and derrick over the first well and there are still a few active wells in the park. May 25; 8:00 p.m. - Cook Forest State Park/Clear Creek State Park Cook Forest, a 7,443-acre park, and Clear Creek, a 1,676-acre park, are located in Forest, Clarion, and Jefferson counties. Both parks celebrate the logging history of the area. Clear Creek offers camping in yurts, a Mongolian style tent, while Cook Forest boasts a National Natural Landmark - Forest Cathedral, an old growth forest of white pine and hemlock trees. June 1; 8:00 p.m. - Cherry Springs State Park Cherry Springs State Park is known for its exceptionally dark skies and is one of the best places on the eastern seaboard for stargazing. Named for the large stands of cherry trees, this 48-acre park in Potter County is surrounded by the 262,000-acre Susquehannock State Forest which offers 85 miles of backpacking and hiking. June 9 (Saturday); 2:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. - Leonard Harrison State Park Located in Tioga County, this 585-acre park overlooks Pennsylvania's Grand Canyon - the 800-foot deep Pine Creek Gorge. Otters and eagles have been reintroduced into this area that also has a rich lumber history. The view of Pine Creek Gorge is most breathtaking during the fall foliage season. June 15 - Pre-empted for PCN's live coverage of the Big 33 Banquet June 22; 8:00 p.m. - Hickory Run State Park Hickory Run State Park is located in Carbon County and boasts a 15,483-acre park where the main attraction is a geological feature. Boulder Field, a designated National Natural Landmark, is a 20,000-year-old area with no vegetation over an area of 400 feet by 1,800 feet. Some of the boulders measure as much as 26 feet long. Sand Springs day use area provides a beach for swimming, and camping is offered at 381 spots. June 29; 8:00 p.m. - Lehigh Gorge State Park This 4,548-acre park is located in Luzerne and Carbon counties. The Lehigh River flows through the park and provides for Class III whitewater boating opportunities. Part of the Delaware and Lehigh National Heritage Corridor, Lehigh Gorge State Park features a 26-mile bike trail. July 6; 8:00 p.m. - Ricketts Glen State Park There are 22 named waterfalls in the Glens Natural Area of Ricketts Glen State Park including the 94-foot Ganoga Falls. The 13,050-acre park is located in Luzerne, Sullivan, and Columbia Counties and offers camping at 120 sites and 10 modern cabins. July 13; 8:00 p.m. - Canoe Creek State Park Canoe Creek State Park is a 959-acre park located in Blair County. The church sanctuary in the park is home to Pennsylvania's largest nursery colony of little brown bats. July 20; 8:00 p.m. - Ohiopyle State Park Ohiopyle in Fayette County encompasses about 19,052 acres of rugged natural beauty and serves as the gateway to the Laurel Mountains. The focal point is the more than 14 miles of the Youghiogheny River Gorge that provides some the best whitewater boating in the eastern United States. July 27; 8:00 p.m. - Presque Isle State Park The most visited park in Pennsylvania is also the only one with a surf beach in the state—Presque Isle State Park. The park is a peninsula that juts into Lake Erie and offers a multitude of recreational opportunities. It is also a favorite spot for bird migration and bird watching. The recently opened Tom Ridge Environmental Center at the entrance to the park features large-scale exhibits, a large screen theater, a research wing, nature shop, and café. To learn more about DCNR and to find a complete listing of Pennsylvania State Parks as well as operating hours and contact information, visit here. PCN is the premier state public affairs television network in the country. The network is known for its popular "PCN Tours" program that gives viewers a behind-the-scenes look at manufacturing facilities and historical sites. Programming is available in 3.3 million homes across Pennsylvania. PCN is supported by the state's cable companies who voluntarily carry the network on their systems. For more information and a listing of channel designations, visit www.pcntv.com.
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