Recreation Cherry Springs State Park

1 recreation

1.1 dark skies
1.2 astronomical observing
1.3 woodsmen s show
1.4 camping, picnicking, , trails

recreation
dark skies

the trifid nebula (m20) in sagittarius, seen park

astronomers , stargazers appreciate cherry springs state park darkness , clarity of skies, make perhaps last best refuge of natural night sky in eastern half of united states. sky @ cherry springs has been classified 2 on bortle dark-sky scale, meaning has no light pollution. such dark, starry skies unavailable two-thirds of world s population, including 99 percent of people in continental u.s. , western europe . optimum conditions, 10,000 stars visible naked eye @ park, clouds appear black holes in starry sky, , milky way bright casts discernible shadow. in contrast, big city residents can see few dozen stars @ best, , in rural areas can typically see 2,000–3,000 stars. milky way cannot seen in eastern us, when there no moonlight obscure it.

the quality of night skies @ park , growing popularity stargazing result of several factors. cherry springs in midst of largely undeveloped 262,000-acre (106,000 ha) susquehannock state forest, , on summit 2,300 feet (701 m) above sea level. because on allegheny plateau, there no mountain peaks block sky, , astronomy field offers 360 degree unobstructed view. closest city williamsport, 60 miles (97 km) southeast. surrounding communities sit in deep valleys, intervening terrain screens of light produce; park has no artificial skyglow in direction. cherry springs fog-free , latitude puts in excellent position observe galactic center of milky way. remote location means there little commercial air traffic interfere astrophotography, while pa route 44 still offers relatively easy access park interstate 80.

in addition these natural factors, has been done intentionally make skies @ park clear , dark , keep them way. within park, former overhead electrical lines have been buried not obstruct views, lighting shielded, , white lights have been converted red, has least effect on night vision , astrophotography. light passing vehicles blocked earthen berms covered grass, or shrubbery , spruce trees; astronomy field gate has special light-blocking tarp. park s dark sky fund has paid many of these improvements since 1999.

two of park s 3 astronomy domes, walls prevent wind moving telescopes during observation

since 2006 acquisition of cherry springs airport, new public programming field has been established on former airstrip. field northeast of pa route 44 , intended educational programs or stargazing, not spend night. overnight observers , large telescopes use astronomy field southwest of highway. nighttime visitors may use flashlights red filters, , may point them @ ground. astronomy field has further restrictions on lights, , parts of park light-free zones.

to preserve dark skies @ cherry springs state park, tri-county rural electric company installs light-shielding caps on outdoor lights @ local homes free. in 2001 the pennsylvania general assembly passed outdoor lighting control act , both established park dark sky preserve , required minimal , shielded lighting @ new state facilities reduce light pollution. design guide pennsylvania wilds region, includes park, emphasizes importance of maintaining dark skies. dcnr spent $396,000 in june 2007 buy mineral rights under 1,980 acres (800 ha) of park , state forest prevent natural gas drilling , associated development there.

a wind farm has been proposed on site 13.7 miles (22.0 km) park. in 2008 potter county passed ordinance wind turbine lights shall not interfere state-designated dark skies preserve @ cherry springs state park . same year dcnr commissioned study on wind farm s impact, concluded red warning lights on wind turbines not impact darkness of sky , directly visible astronomy field under rare conditions. others in astronomy community challenged these conclusions , feared new lights on several dozen wind turbines near park degrade observations , astrophotography. study recommended dcnr shield , redirect lights @ nearby denton hill state park downhill ski area make sky darker @ cherry springs.

astronomical observing

telescopes belonging amateur astronomers await nightfall

the staff @ cherry springs state park did not intend become attraction amateur astronomers; astronomers came them instead. in 1997 or 1998 chip harrison, park supervisor, noticed man looking through telescope @ park @ 1 am. when harrison asked why man had come there, astronomer said had noticed isolated black patch on north central pennsylvania on nighttime satellite photos. cherry springs state park in patch, 1 of best locations east of mississippi river stargazing.

an increasing number of astronomers began come cherry springs, in 14-day dark sky period around new moon, between last quarter , first quarter phases. park open year-round , between 60 and 85 nights each year have ideal conditions, when apparent magnitudes of faintest stars visible can range 7.1 to 7.5. park s astronomy field has been upgraded accommodate these astronomers. in 2005 a rotating 15-foot (4.6 m) slotted observatory dome, 2 12-foot (3.7 m) clamshell domes, , 10-by-12-foot (3.0 3.7 m) sky shed added, small amphitheater programs. 4 structures protect telescopes wind , thermal currents. next year concrete pads 4 , 6 feet (1.2 , 1.8 m) in diameter placed @ random in field, , electrical pedestals, each 6 outlets, added power telescopes , computers. in 2009, wi-fi internet access added astronomy field.

the whirlpool galaxy (m51) in constellation canes venatici, seen astronomy field

while typical clear night might have 50 to 100 observers, each year park hosts 2 major star parties both attract several hundred astronomers several nights. black forest star party, sponsored central pennsylvania observers of state college, has been held each fall since 1999. cherry springs star party, sponsored astronomical society of harrisburg, has been held each june since 2005. there free public programs @ amphitheater on former airport site, of part of national public observatory s stars-n-parks program. meteor showers attract crowd , aurora borealis can seen park. stargazing business, crystal spheres , has been established , presents music , stars programs, hour-long concert followed hour of stargazing. such nature tourism has positive economic impact area.

awards , press recognition have come cherry springs , staff. thom bemus, initiated , coordinates stars-n-parks program, named dcnr s 2002 volunteer of year. in 2007 the park s dark sky programming , staff received environmental education excellence in programming award pennsylvania recreation , parks society. operations manager chip harrison , wife maxine, directs dark sky fund, received 2008 award pennsylvania outdoor lighting council steadfast adherence , active promotion of principles of responsible outdoor lighting @ cherry springs state park . dcnr has named cherry springs 1 of 25 must-see pennsylvania state parks , having darkest night skies on east coast . cherry springs state park featured in national press in 2003 when usa today named 1 of 10 great places stars in eyes , in 2006 when national geographic adventure featured in pennsylvania: wild, wild east , , in new york times in 2007. these before named international dark sky park international dark-sky association in 2008.

woodsmen s show

a chainsaw event @ woodsmen s show

the woodsmen s show attracts thousands of visitors cherry springs state park on first weekend in august. has been held every year since 1952, , has been sponsored galeton rotary club since 1987. in 2008 events @ three-day show included tree-felling, cross-cutting, log rolling, axe-throwing, horse pulling, spring board chopping, standing block chop, , chainsaw competitions , demonstrations. 2008 show featured historic recreations of life in logging camp, musical performances, , vendors selling food, crafts, , equipment related lumber industry.

the show , events, celebrate potter county s lumbering history, have changed time. in years, 3 working sawmills set carnival, , there associated woodsmen s ball on saturday evening, after carnival ended. woodsmen s show had first female competitor in 1979. events have been tried , discontinued; in 1987 one-hour seminars on topics such outdoor adventures on mules , first woodsmen s carnival queen introduced, , in 1993 there tractor pulling lawn tractors. in 1990 the name changed woodsmen s carnival woodsmen s show , third day added, , ecumenical church service held sunday morning in large picnic pavilion. next year show part of stihl timbersports series , of competition televised on espn. although no longer part of stihl series, of 2008 many of same athletes competed @ show.

attendance 4,000 the first year , grew 12,000 three years later in 1955, peaked @ 33,000 in 1962, many in 1965 (32,000) , 1981 (30,000). in 1983, 20,000 visitors came show, 15,000 came in 1985, , 21st century attendance 14,000. admission charged , cash prizes awarded in competitions. proceeds show under penn-york lumbermen s club went promote lumber industry , support pennsylvania lumber museum. galeton rotary club has used funds improve standard of living in , around galeton, including college scholarships, new roof community building, support local public library, , clean-up , maintenance of downtown.

camping, picnicking, , trails

the camping area @ park, picnic tables

the park has 30 camping sites can each accommodate tent, or recreational vehicle (rv) 30 feet (9.1 m) long. sites have fire ring, lantern hanger, , picnic table, , classified rustic because have no running water. camping area, southeast of pennsylvania route 44, open april december , accept reservations. park has 2 modern latrines, 1 in camping area , other @ astronomy field. there holding tank dump station rvs. although astronomy field not official camping area, overnight observers may set tents , vehicles there in camp. in addition picnic tables , small pavilion in camping area, main picnic area @ cherry springs on southwest side of route 44, in , around large historic, ccc-built pavilion. area surrounding pavilion has many picnic tables situated in old apple orchard , stand of huge white pine , norway spruce trees.

cherry springs state park @ southern end of 15-mile (24 km) long, single-track mountain bike trail, begins @ denton hill state park , passes through patterson state park. in 2005 the snowmobile trailhead @ cherry springs moved southern end of park avoid astronomy field. snowmobile trail 1 of many trails available cross-country skiing, backpacking, hiking, , all-terrain vehicle , horseback riding in surrounding susquehannock state forest. 85-mile (137 km) long susquehannock trail system passes close park , loops around it. south of park trail passes through hammersley wild area, @ 30,253 acres (12,243 ha) without roads second largest wild area in pennsylvania.