July 11, 1997
Vol. 1, No. 16
Extensive improvements finished at Archbald Pothole State Park
Archbald Pothole State Park in Lackawanna County officially reopened June 27 after the completion of extensive improvements to the park.
"Repairs and enhancements like the ones undertaken here at Archbald Pothole keep our state parks vital and appealing to the public. State parks continue to be a strong draw for tourism dollars in Pennsylvania, and therefore it is crucial to provide visitors with the attractive, sound, and accessible facilities that visitors have come to expect," said State Parks Director Roger Fickes at a ribbon cutting ceremony held at the park. Fickes was joined by Rep. Edward Staback (D-Lackawanna), Sen. Robert Mellow, (D-Lackawanna), Archbald Pothole State Park Manager Gerald Frost and other interested citizens.
Archbald Pothole had been closed to the public since last fall to facilitate the repairs. The improvements, totaling nearly $170,000, consisted of construction of a new concrete walkway, paving, extensive landscaping, fencing, and handicapped accessible facilities.
The repairs are part of Project Stewardship, a four year, $100 million effort launched by the Ridge administration in November 1995 to repair and upgrade the infrastructure of Pennsylvania's state parks and forests.
Archbald Pothole State Park's main attraction is an unusually large geologic pothole formation, measuring 38 feet deep and 42 feet wide at its largest points. It is thought that the pothole was created by glacial stream action during the Wisconsin Ice Age, more than 15,000 years ago.
Archbald Pothole State Park's 150 acres also provide opportunities for picnicking, hiking, and hunting.
More information on Archbald Pothole or any of Pennsylvania's 116 State Parks is available on DCNR's World Wide Web site, http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us, or by calling 1-800-63-PARKS.
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