Poe Paddy State Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Poe Paddy State Park |
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IUCN Category III (Natural Monument)
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Poe Paddy State Park
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 Poe Paddy State Park
Location in Pennsylvania
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| Location | Haines, Centre, Pennsylvania, United States |
| Area | 23 acres (9.3 ha) |
| Elevation | 974 ft (297 m) |
| Established | 1938 |
| Named for | Poe and Paddy Mountains |
| Governing body | Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources |
| Website | Poe Paddy State Park |
Poe Paddy State Park is a 23-acre state park in Pennsylvania, United States. It's located in Haines Township, Centre County. The park is surrounded by the large Bald Eagle State Forest. Another park, Poe Valley State Park, is just 4 miles to the east.
Poe Paddy State Park is special because it's where Big Poe Creek and Penns Creek meet. The park gets its name from the two mountains that stand nearby: Poe Mountain to the east and Paddy Mountain to the west. Penns Creek flows through the valley between these two mountains.
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A Look Back: The Park's Story
Poe Paddy State Park is built on the land where a busy lumber town once stood. This town was called Poe Mills. In the mid-to-late 1800s and early 1900s, many trees were cut down in Pennsylvania's forests. Poe Mills was a big part of this "lumber boom." At its busiest, more than 300 people lived there.
To help the lumber work, a dam was built on Big Poe Creek. This dam provided power for the mills. A railroad was also built to carry the cut wood out of the area. Later, this railway became a beautiful route connecting the area with Milroy.
Building the Park with the CCC
Both Poe Valley State Park and Poe Paddy State Park were created in the 1930s. This was during a tough time called the Great Depression. A group of young men, part of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), helped build these parks.
The CCC workers did many important jobs. They cleared away brush from the regrowing forests to help prevent forest fires. They also built roads through the forests and created new facilities for the state parks. They even built bridges and planted many new trees to help the forests grow back.
Fun Things to Do at Poe Paddy
Poe Paddy State Park offers many ways to enjoy nature.
Fishing in Penns Creek
Penns Creek flows right by the campground and is a great place to fish for trout. Many people enjoy Fly fishing here. The park is especially famous for something called the "Green Drake hatch." This happens in late spring when large mayflies (called Green Drakes) appear. These flies are almost as big as a small hummingbird! When they hatch, they become the main food for the trout in Penns Creek.
Camping and Trails
The park has a simple campground that opens when trout season begins in April. It closes in mid-December. The campground is "rustic," meaning it does not have showers or flush toilets. However, there is a place to empty your RV's waste at Poe Valley State Park nearby.
For visitors, there are six picnic tables and two covered picnic areas (called pavilions). If you love hiking, the Pennsylvania Mid State Trail passes through the park. This long trail stretches for 306 miles!
Winter Activities
When winter arrives, the gravel roads in the park are open for fun snow activities. You can go cross-country skiing or ride a snowmobile here.
Nearby State Parks
If you want to explore more, here are some other state parks close to Poe Paddy State Park (within 30 miles):
- Bald Eagle State Park (Centre County)
- Bucktail State Park Natural Area (Cameron and Clinton Counties)
- Greenwood Furnace State Park (Huntingdon County)
- McCalls Dam State Park (Centre County)
- Penn-Roosevelt State Park (Centre County)
- Poe Valley State Park (Centre County)
- R. B. Winter State Park (Union County)
- Reeds Gap State Park (Mifflin County)
- Sand Bridge State Park (Union County)
- Whipple Dam State Park (Huntingdon County)
