Maurice K. Goddard State Park
Maurice K. Goddard State Park | |
---|---|
Location | Mercer, Pennsylvania, United States |
Coordinates | 41°25′44″N 80°08′41″W / 41.42889°N 80.14472°W |
Area | 2,856 acres (11.56 km2) |
Elevation | 1,270 ft (390 m)[1] |
Established | 1972 |
Visitors | over 200,000[2] |
Governing body | Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources |
Website | Maurice K. Goddard State Park |
Maurice K. Goddard State Park is a 2,856-acre (1,156 ha)
The park is 1 of 5 Pennsylvania State Parks that are in the path of totality for the 2024 solar eclipse, with 59 seconds of totality.[3]
History
Maurice K. Goddard State park is named for
Recreation
Bird watching
The variety of
Lake Wilhelm
Lake Wilhelm is a warm water fishery, it lies partly within Maurice K. Goddard State Park and partly within the adjoining game lands. The common game fish found in the lake are largemouth and smallmouth bass, perch, crappie, bluegill, catfish, walleye, northern pike and muskellunge. All fishermen are expected to follow the rules and regulations of the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission.[4] Five natural gas wells have been drilled around Lake Wilhelm as of May 2009, with up to 15 more to follow. The state does not own the mineral rights under much of the park, but did work with the driller to minimize the impact of the wells on recreational uses of the park.[2]
The portions of Lake Wilhelm that are within Maurice K. Goddard State Park are open to watercraft up to 20 horsepower (15 kW). There is a 241 space
Hunting
There are over 1,155 acres (467 ha) that open to hunting at Maurice K. Goddard State Park. Hunters are expected to follow the rules and regulations of the Pennsylvania Game Commission. The common game species are waterfowl and white-tailed deer. The hunting of groundhogs is prohibited. Hunters may gain access to the nearby state game lands by entering through the park.[4]
Winter activities
Maurice K. Goddard State Park is open during the winter months for
Friends Of Goddard
The Friends of Goddard State Park (FRoG) partner with the park to help conserve the natural environment of the areas within and around Goddard State Park by educating and introducing people to the world of nature and the facilities available to them.[4] The Friends group also organizes two big events for the park: the Pioneer Frolic and Music at the Marina. The Pioneer Frolic takes place the last weekend in June and includes reenactors, food vendors, live music, and other entertainment. Music at the Marina showcases local bands and independent musicians with the addition of food vendors, a car cruise, and fireworks. Both events feature a donation-based book sale and have free admission.
Friends of Goddard State Park also known as "FroG" is a sub-chapter of the Pennsylvania Parks and Forest Foundation and a non-profit 501(3)c organization.[4]
Nearby state parks
The following state parks are within 30 miles (48 km) of Maurice K. Goddard State Park:[5][6][7][8]
- Jennings Environmental Education Center (Butler County)
- Oil Creek State Park (Venango County)
- Pymatuning State Park (Pennsylvania) (Crawford County)
- Pymatuning State Park (Ohio) (Ashtabula County)
References
- ^ "Maurice K. Goddard State Park". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey. August 30, 1990. Retrieved June 11, 2008.
- ^ a b Hopey, Don (May 3, 2009). "Goddard State Park's gas wells may be first of hundreds: Where mineral rights are privately owned, Pennsylvania officials can't prevent drilling". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved May 6, 2009.
- ^ R, Mike (September 8, 2021). "Pennsylvania 2024 Solar Eclipse State Parks". CosmosPNW. Retrieved October 3, 2022.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i "Maurice K. Goddard State Park". Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. Archived from the original on October 2, 2011. Retrieved January 16, 2007.
- ^ "Find a Park by Region (interactive map)". Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. Archived from the original on September 24, 2011. Retrieved November 18, 2011.
- ^ Michels, Chris (1997). "Latitude/Longitude Distance Calculation". Northern Arizona University. Retrieved April 23, 2008.
- ^ "2007 General Highway Map Mercer County Pennsylvania" (PDF) (Map). 1:65,000. Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, Bureau of Planning and Research, Geographic Information Division. Retrieved July 28, 2007.[permanent dead link] Note: shows Maurice K. Goddard State Park
- ^ "Find a Park PA Great Lakes Region". Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. Archived from the original on October 18, 2005. Retrieved January 16, 2007.
External links
- "Maurice K. Goddard State Park official map" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on March 3, 2016. (902.6 KB)
- Goddard State Park's gas wells may be first of hundreds
- Friends of Goddard website