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The Eastern Hemlock: A Pennsylvania Treasure
On June 22, 1931, the Pennsylvania legislature declared the Eastern Hemlock the official state tree. This affirmed the belief of Dr. Joseph T. Rothrock, otherwise known as the “Father of Pennsylvania Forestry” that “If Pennsylvania were to select one tree as characteristic of our state, nothing would be better than the hemlock.” The Eastern Hemlock was for well over a century, a major part of the commonwealth’s economy. At its peak, more than a billion boards of hemlock were harvested each year for use in building homes. Hemlock bark also served as a source of tannic acid to tan leather by PA’s early settlers and through the late 1800s. Known…
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Explore Almost 20 Miles of Trails in Chester County
The 1,784-acre Marsh Creek State Park sits in north central Chester County, PA, near Downingtown. The focal point of the park is the 535-acre Marsh Creek Lake which offers fishing and boating, as well as 19.5 miles of hiking trails in the surrounding area. Marsh Creek Lake was created by damming Marsh Creek in the early ‘70s and is one of the few lakes in the commonwealth to sit above the remnants of a town beneath the surface. What’s left of Milford Mills (the roads, foundations and the embankments of Larkin’s Bridge) can be found 30 to 50 feet beneath the surface. (The buildings were removed before flooding the area.)…
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A Peaceful Walk in Bucks County
You may be familiar with Peace Valley Park and may even have walked the paved path that encircles Lake Galena, but did you know there are many more trails to choose from? If you head over to the Nature Center, you’ll find more than 15 miles of natural walking trails and can see and walk through various landscape features, from woods to open meadows to swampy wetlands. The area around the nature center is a protected wildlife area, so you are likely to see a variety of bird species (several of hundreds call the park home and even more pass through on their annual migration). If you are curious to…
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Getting Lost in Nature, Just Off the Runway
While it seems like an unlikely spot for a wildlife refuge, John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge at Tinicum sits in the shadow of Philadelphia International Airport. Here at American’s First Urban Refuge, you will find open water, a freshwater tidal marsh, woodland, and mudflats, all of which entice hundreds of species to stop and rest in their migration, or even to make it a permanent home. Tinicum Marsh is the largest tidal marsh in the commonwealth. It provides nesting grounds for 90 species of birds, and hundreds more have been seen passing through. Visitors can explore the refuge via a ten mile network of trails, including the 3.5-mile Wetland Loop…
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Black Rock Offers Sanctuary on the Schuylkill River
You may be familiar with the Schuylkill River Trail, but have you looked over and wondered what’s across the river? Could there be another trail, on the western bank? Why, yes, there is: the Phoenix Iron Canal Trail, and it’s easy to access via a Chester County park – Black Rock Sanctuary. The trail (and nearby town) gets its name from the Phoenix Iron Works (originally the French Creek Nail Works), which was the first and for a time, also the largest nail factory in the United States. The path begins at the Black Rock Boat launch and follows the river toward Phoenixville. It ends where the French Creek meets…
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Water Views and Maybe Migratory Fowl – What More Could You Want?
Hibernia County Park in Coatesville has a number of pleasant trails totaling about 6 miles. The Lake Trail is wheelchair accessible, and most if not all of the other trails are easy to moderately difficult, but still appropriate for children. The Cedar Hollow Trail travels through forests and fields and through the Lake Campground. The Lake Trail takes you to Chambers Lake, a 94-acre man-made lake managed by the Chester County Water Resources Authority. Both fishing and boating are permitted on the lake, with appropriate state permits. The park also offers the Childrens Pond, a kid-friendly one-acre pond with an ADA fishing deck and bench. The lake is a popular…
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A Delaware County Hiking Trail Offers Natural And Urban Settings
The 5.5-mile Springfield Trail (located in Delaware County) is a moderately-challenging hike with 13 trailheads that offers a variety of sights and sounds. It follows several tributaries, travels alongside a highway, through residential areas, and along railroad tracks, while encircling a shopping mall. We started our hike at the Paper Mill Road trailhead and soon came across a number of painted murals adjacent to the 476 Blue Route expressway. It was surprising how quickly the sounds disappeared and we felt immersed in nature. This trail is different than many in that it dips in and out of civilization, from the sprawling Smedley Park, along various creeks, runs alongside a residential…
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Sometimes You Need to Create Your Own Trail Hiking Adventure
Bucks County PA’s Tyler State Park boasts 25 miles of trails for hikers, bicyclists and equestrians (check the map to see which trails are open in bicycles and horses). The park has 15 named trails at three difficulty levels; most are out-and-back or connector trails. The park also is home to the historic 170-footlong Schofield Ford Covered Bridge, the only Pennsylvania bridge with a queen post truss system supporting a town truss system. It’s naturally-weathered gray color also stands out from the other 11 remaining Bucks County covered bridges, as it is the only one that remains unpainted. The original Schofield bridge was lost to arson in 1991. The current…
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Rare Serpentine Barrens Are Highlight of Nottingham Park
The first in Chester County (dedicated in 1963), the 731-acre Nottingham Park sits on more than a square mile of serpentine stone – one of the largest serpentine barrens on the East Coast. The land was formerly the site of feldspar and serpentine quarries as well as chromite ore mines. One of these feldspar quarries has been filled with water and is now known as the Mystery Hole. The park has 6 named trails and an 18-station fitness trail. The 3.37-mile Buck Trail traverses the highest elevation of the park, sometimes running across the park borders. The trails are used by hikers, bicyclists and equestrians who can create a loop…
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Looking to Challenge New Hikers? Check Out the Trails at Meng Preserve
While the Philadelphia area has an abundance of green spaces, much of it is relatively flat. There is much to be said about our wonderful rail trail system, but sometimes you just crave a good rock scramble. Though our friends in mountainous areas of the country may think our “hills” are quaint, there’s nothing quite like the geography of Pennsylvania (it’s not called Rocksylvania for nothing!) Not far off Route 73 in Schwenksville, the 101-acre Meng Preserve offers shady trails and the opportunity to see and hear migratory songbirds. Gifted to the Valley Forge Audubon Society in 1991 by Eva R. Meng and now owned by Natural Lands, the Meng…
