Cameron County is taking advantage of its location to capitalize on the tourism benefits of dark skies.
The PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) recently awarded a grant to the Lumber Heritage Region, which will help fund a master site development plan to create a dark skies park in Cameron County.
Image: The site of the upcoming Cameron County Dark Sky Part, shown in daylight. Photo courtesy of Rowan Crisp, LHR.
The park site is a reclaimed county landfill. The plan will explore strategic goals, timelines, and implementation methods. Ultimately, the desire is to have a site and community recognized by the International Dark Skies Association.
“When we heard of the Dark Sky Project, we were eager to get involved,” said Holly Komonczi, Executive Director for Lumber Heritage Region. “The opportunities it presents to spread the word about a working forest and to provide locals in a struggling region with accessible recreation is directly in line with DCNR’s long-term goals.”
“The last public meeting was held November 14 in Emporium and the plan is coming along nicely,” said Rowan Crisp, Education & Outreach Administrator for the Lumber Heritage Region. “Our Landscape Architects from Lardner/Klein Landscape Architects anticipate presenting the finalized plan in January 2025. Public feedback has been greatly appreciated throughout the process and feedback can be given until December 2, 2024.”
Image: Night sky view from Cameron County Dark Sky Park. Photo credit, Brian Reid, Eventide Light Photography.
To view information, please visit www.lardnerklein.com/cameron-dark-sky. To complete the questionnaire, please visit www.surveymonkey.com/r/darkskypark-siteplan. To send additional comments or questions, please email darkskypark@lardnerklein.com.
Cameron County has also expanded dark sky public programs using equipment purchased from a recent mini-grant from Lumber Heritage Region.
“The goal is to develop an educational component of dark skies viewing which ties in with the local community,” said Josh Zucal, Director of Marketing for Cameron County.
The county worked with former DCNR staff from Cherry Springs State Park for help developing program ideas.
Cherry Springs, in neighboring Potter County, is famous for having some of the darkest skies in the eastern United States.
Want to enjoy Cameron County’s dark skies? The Look Up Cameron County website lists four sites as the best places to stargaze in the county: Bucktail Overlook, Moore Hill, Sinnemahoning State Park, and the future Cameron County Dark Sky Park.
Image: The Cameron County Dark Sky Part, on a clear blue day. Photo courtesy of Rowan Crisp, LHR.
Established on July 1, 1995, the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) is charged with maintaining and protecting 121 state parks; managing 2.2 million acres of state forest land; providing information on the state’s ecological and geologic resources; and establishing community conservation partnerships with grants and technical assistance to benefit rivers, trails, greenways, local parks and recreation, regional heritage parks, open space, and natural areas. DCNR’s mission is to conserve and sustain Pennsylvania’s natural resources for present and future generations’ use and enjoyment. Learn more at DCNR.pa.gov.
The Lumber Heritage Region (LHR) is a 15-county region in North West/North Central Pennsylvania that accentuates the importance of the lumber industry for the past, present, and future. The goal of the heritage region is to market its assets to potential visitors, to serve as a resource to the PA hardwood industry, and to keep the economic impact of the region at the forefront. LHR is a 501C3 organization that is dedicated to helping the region make an impact internationally. It is their mission to serve the region with technical, educational, and financial assistance through the coordination of networking and communication initiatives.
Author: Guest Contributor
The Pennsylvania Wilds is home to more than 2 million acres of public land, 50 state game lands, 29 state parks, 8 state forests, 2 National Wild & Scenic Rivers, abundant wildlife, hundreds of miles of land and water trails, some of the darkest skies in the country, and the largest elk herd in the northeast.
The PA Wilds team is grateful to share the many stories of this region through the words and images of our talented guest contributors.