Parker Dam State Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Parker Dam State Park |
|
|---|---|
|
IUCN Category III (Natural Monument)
|
|
The dam at Parker Dam State Park
|
|
 Parker Dam State Park
Location in Pennsylvania
|
|
| Location | Huston, Clearfield, Pennsylvania, United States |
| Area | 968 acres (392 ha) |
| Elevation | 1,627 ft (496 m) |
| Established | 1936 |
| Governing body | Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources |
| Website | Parker Dam State Park |
Parker Dam State Park is a large park in Clearfield County, Pennsylvania. It covers about 968 acres and is surrounded by the Moshannon State Forest. The park is located about 17 miles north of Clearfield. It was built during the Great Depression by a group called the Civilian Conservation Corps. They created many of the buildings and areas that people still use today.
Contents
Park History
The park gets its name from William Parker. He was a person who cut down trees in the area a long time ago. He built a special dam on Laurel Run to help move logs.
Tree cutting, also known as logging, started in Clearfield County as early as 1794. Workers cut down tall white pine and hemlock trees. These trees were very valuable. The tall white pines were used as masts for ships in Baltimore. Logs were floated down the Susquehanna River to reach Baltimore.
Later, railroads and roads were built to move the timber. But soon, most of the trees were gone. This left the land empty and damaged by erosion, floods, and wildfires. The state of Pennsylvania bought this land. They started a huge project to plant new trees. Young men from the Civilian Conservation Corps helped a lot with this effort. They also built roads, bridges, and the park's facilities.
Park Animals and Nature
Parker Dam State Park and the nearby Moshannon State Forest are home to many different animals. You can see many types of warblers and ravens in the dark evergreen forests. The ovenbird and American redstart live in the forests where trees lose their leaves.
You might also spot turkeys, beavers, white-tailed deer, coyotes, and foxes. These animals live on the ridges, in valleys, and in the park's open fields. Bobcats, porcupines, and elk also live in the woods. Elk are not often seen in Pennsylvania, but a large group lives in the wilder parts of Clearfield, Cameron, Elk, and Clinton counties.
The 1985 Tornado
A powerful tornado hit Clearfield County on May 31, 1985. It destroyed a large part of the forest in Parker Dam State Park. This tornado was rated F4 on the Fujita scale, meaning its winds were up to 260 miles per hour.
Not many people were in the park when the tornado hit. Some campers and Boy Scouts were there and survived. This tornado was not widely reported because no one died, and it was in a remote area. It was the longest-lasting tornado in Pennsylvania that day, staying on the ground for 69 miles. It crossed Clearfield, Clinton, and Centre counties.
The state used this event to teach people about how forests can regrow naturally. Mud Run Road goes through the area damaged by the tornado. The land west of the road was left alone, and many bare tree trunks are still standing. The fallen trees east of the road were removed for lumber. The forest is growing back differently on each side of the road. This shows how human actions can affect how a forest recovers.
Fun Activities at the Park
Parker Lake is a 20-acre lake in Parker Dam State Park. It was made by building a dam on Laurel Run. The park's camping and picnic areas are right by the lake.
There is a sandy beach at Parker Lake. It is open from 8:00 AM until dark from Memorial Day until the end of September. Since 2008, there are no lifeguards at the beach.
You can use non-powered boats, like canoes, or electric-powered boats on Parker Lake. All boats must be registered and have a permit from the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission. The lake is a good place to fish for largemouth bass, sunfish, and brown bullhead. In winter, when the lake freezes, you can go ice fishing and ice skating.
Hunting is allowed on about 526 acres of the park. Hunters must follow the rules of the Pennsylvania Game Commission. Common animals to hunt include ruffed grouse, squirrels, turkeys, white-tailed deer, and rabbits. Hunting groundhogs is not allowed.
Parker Dam State Park is also the start of the Quehanna Trail System. This trail is about 75 miles long and goes through the surrounding state forests. The Quehanna Trail connects to the Susquehannock Trail near Sinnemahoning State Park. Backpackers cannot camp overnight inside Parker Dam State Park. The trails are also open for cross-country skiing in the winter.
Learning Opportunities
Parker Dam State Park offers many educational programs. You can learn about the environment all year long. They have hands-on activities, guided walks, and evening talks. The park also has programs for schools and teachers.
Visitors can learn about how maple sugar is made in March. In October, they can see a demonstration of how apple cider is pressed. The park also has a display about the lives of the Civilian Conservation Corps members. These young men did so much to help build Parker Dam State Park.
Nearby State Parks
The following state parks are within 30 miles of Parker Dam State Park:
- Bendigo State Park (Elk County)
- Black Moshannon State Park (Centre County)
- Bucktail State Park Natural Area (Cameron and Clinton Counties)
- Elk State Park (Elk County)
- S. B. Elliott State Park (Clearfield County)
- Sinnemahoning State Park (Cameron and Potter Counties)
