A Letter from Friends of Pinchot State Park

by Betsy Leppo. FOPSP Secretary

November 12, 2013

On behalf of the Friends of Pinchot State Park (FOPSP), I'd like to thank the Keystone Trails Association for your participation in the third volunteer Trail Care day at Gifford Pinchot State Park. We appreciate that the KTA leadership once again recommended Gifford Pinchot State Park for a Code Orange Trail Care Day. We are also grateful to the KTA members who donated time and effort to improving the trails at GPSP. As a result of your hard work:

• Several chronically wet sections of the Lakeside Trail between Route 177 and the campground were signficantly improved through the installation of stone and geo-cell material. The 193-mile Mason-Dixon Trail also follows this section of the Lakeside Trail on its passage through GPSP.
• The Lakeside Trail was relocated around a steep drop-off that can be very slippery when wet. This relocation will improve access to this section of the park by emergency personnel.
• A small dump alongside the Lakeside Trail, consisting primarily of broken glass, was cleaned. The dump predates the creation of the park. Park personnel will clean and attempt to date several of the intact, old bottles.
• Sections of the Lakeside Trail were trimmed and lopped

The KTA, in collaboration with the Mason-Dixon Trail Association, and GPSP staff, have made this a Trail Care day a productive and rewarding event. We have heard positive comments from park users who really appreciate these trail improvements. We look forward to working with you on future trail projects!