Marsh Creek State Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Marsh Creek State Park |
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IUCN Category III (Natural Monument)
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Looking across Marsh Creek Lake towards the West Launch Area
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 Marsh Creek State Park
Location in Pennsylvania
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| Location | Chester County, Pennsylvania, United States |
| Area | 1,705 acres (6.90 km2) |
| Elevation | 459 ft (140 m) |
| Established | 1974 |
| Named for | Marsh Creek |
| Governing body | Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources |
| Website | Marsh Creek State Park |
Marsh Creek State Park is a huge park in Pennsylvania, covering about 1,705 acres (690 ha). It's located in Chester County. The park is home to the amazing 535-acre (217 ha) Marsh Creek Lake, which is a big lake made by people.
This lake is pretty deep, around 40 feet on average, and goes down to 73 feet in some spots! It's a great place for fishing, full of different kinds of fish. Many waterfowl (like ducks and geese) also stop here during their long journeys. You can find Marsh Creek State Park about 2 miles (3.2 km) west of Eagle, Pennsylvania, right off Pennsylvania Route 100. The roads in the park are open from 8:00 AM until sunset, but you can access other parts of the park 24 hours a day.
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History of Marsh Creek State Park
Marsh Creek Lake was created to solve a few important problems in the area. First, it helps provide extra drinking water for the Chester County Water Resources Authority, which needed more water. Second, it helps stop damage from floods that used to happen often. Finally, it gives people in the area a fun place to go for recreation.
The state of Pennsylvania bought the land for Marsh Creek State Park between 1964 and 1978. Some people who lived there, including those in the farming village of Milford Mills, had to move. The old village site is now under the lake! From 1970 to 1973, workers cleared the valley of trees and buildings. After the dam was finished, the lake took about three years to fill up. The historic Larkin Covered Bridge was moved to the park in 1972.
Once the lake was ready, the state bought the land around it. They built fun places for people to use, and the park opened to the public. New facilities built from 1971 to 1979 included picnic areas, a playground, a swimming pool, and water wells. The park officially opened for boating, fishing, hiking, hunting, and ice sports in 1974. The swimming pool and day-use area opened in July 1979.
Fun Activities at Marsh Creek
Fishing and Boating Adventures
Marsh Creek Lake is a popular spot for fishing and boating. It's known as a "warm water fishery," meaning it has fish that like warmer water. You can find fish like largemouth bass, black crappie, walleye, tiger muskellunge, and channel catfish swimming here. It's a special "big bass" lake, which means you can only keep bass that are 15 inches (38 cm) or longer. Smaller bass must be put back into the lake.
You can't use boats with gasoline engines on Marsh Creek Lake. Only boats powered by electricity or those without motors are allowed. All boats must be properly registered with any state. If you don't have your own boat, you can rent canoes, sailboats, and paddle boats at the park.
Hunting in the Park
About 900 acres (360 ha) of Marsh Creek State Park are open for hunting. Hunters need to follow the rules set by the Pennsylvania Game Commission. Some common animals hunted here include squirrels, pheasants, waterfowl, rabbits, and white-tailed deer. However, hunting groundhogs is not allowed.
Swimming Pool Fun
Marsh Creek State Park has an "L" shaped swimming pool that's open every summer. It usually opens from Memorial Day weekend until Labor Day weekend. The pool is open from 11:00 AM to 6:45 PM every day, except Fridays when it's open from 10:00 AM to 5:45 PM. There's also a shallow wading pool for younger kids, a bathhouse, a splash park, a sunny area, and a snack bar. Remember, swimming in the lake itself is not allowed.
Trails for Exploring
There are about 12 miles (19 km) of trails around Marsh Creek Lake. These trails are great for horseback riding, hiking, and mountain biking. You can find many trails starting from the Chalfont Road parking area. There are also more trails from the west boat launch and on the north side of the dam.
Winter Activities
When winter arrives and the lake freezes, it becomes a popular spot for ice fishing, ice boating, and ice skating. These are fun ways to enjoy the park during the colder months.
Nearby State Parks
If you're looking for more outdoor adventures, here are some other state parks within 30 miles (48 km) of Marsh Creek State Park:
- Alapocas Run State Park (Delaware)
- Auburn Valley State Park (Delaware)
- Bellevue State Park (Delaware)
- Brandywine Creek State Park (Delaware)
- Evansburg State Park (Montgomery County)
- Fort Washington State Park (Montgomery County)
- Fox Point State Park (Delaware)
- French Creek State Park (Berks and Chester Counties)
- Nolde Forest Environmental Education Center (Berks County)
- Norristown Farm Park (Montgomery County)
- Ridley Creek State Park (Delaware County)
- White Clay Creek Preserve (Chester County)
- White Clay Creek State Park (Delaware)
Images for kids
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Panorama of the beach and lake at Marsh Creek State Park
