Bendigo State Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Bendigo State Park |
|
|---|---|
|
IUCN Category III (Natural Monument)
|
|
East Branch Clarion River
|
|
 Bendigo State Park
Location in Pennsylvania
|
|
| Location | Jones, Elk, Pennsylvania, United States |
| Area | 100.26 acres (40.57 ha) |
| Elevation | 1,493 ft (455 m) |
| Established | 1959 |
| Named for | William Thompson Bendigo |
| Governing body | Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources |
Bendigo State Park is a fun Pennsylvania state park covering about 100.26-acre (40.57 ha). You can find it in Jones Township, Elk County, Pennsylvania.
The park is nestled in a valley right by the East Branch Clarion River. About 20 acres (8.1 ha) of the park are developed for visitors. The other 80 acres (32 ha) are beautiful woodlands. Here you can see trees like beech, birch, cherry, and maple.
Contents
History of Bendigo State Park
Bendigo State Park gets its name from a famous Irish prizefighter named William Thompson. He was known for his boxing skills in England. Legend says Thompson came to America to avoid trouble. He then took on the name Bendigo. This name came from "Abed-nego" in the Old Testament.
Thompson moved to the wild northwestern part of Pennsylvania. He became a Methodist evangelist. He also worked on the railroads. He was a very tall and strong man. His co-workers, many of whom were Italian, really liked him. A town in Elk County was even named Bendigo in his honor. This happened when the lumber industry was booming.
However, the lumber era did not last forever. By the early 1900s, most of the forests were cut down. Many mill towns, like Bendigo, were then left empty.
How the Park Was Formed
The town of Johnsonburg bought the land for the park in the 1920s. They made it a community park. During the Great Depression, the Works Progress Administration (WPA) helped improve the park. The WPA was a program started by U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt.
Sadly, big floods on the East Branch of the Clarion River in the 1940s destroyed most of the WPA's work. But a strong stone wall and a dam on the river are still standing today.
In 1949, the land became property of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. For ten years, more improvements were made. Finally, Bendigo State Park officially opened to the public on August 15, 1959. The park sits at an elevation of about 1,493 feet (455 m).
Fun Things to Do at Bendigo State Park
Bendigo State Park is a great place for families. Many people come here to enjoy the swimming pool and have picnics.
Swimming and Picnics
The park's swimming pool is open every day. It welcomes visitors from 11:00 am until 7:00 pm. The swimming season starts on Memorial Day weekend. It ends on Labor Day weekend.
There are more than 150 picnic tables available. These are spread out in several picnic areas. Each picnic area has useful things for your day out. You'll find charcoal grills for cooking. There's also drinking water, horseshoe pits for games, and restrooms.
Nearby State Parks to Explore
If you love state parks, there are several others close to Bendigo State Park. All of these parks are within 30 miles (48 km):
- Bucktail State Park Natural Area (Cameron and Clinton Counties)
- Clear Creek State Park (Jefferson County)
- Elk State Park (Elk County)
- Kinzua Bridge State Park (McKean County)
- Parker Dam State Park (Clearfield County)
- S. B. Elliott State Park (Clearfield County)
- Sinnemahoning State Park (Cameron and Potter Counties)
- Sizerville State Park (Cameron and Potter Counties)
