The Pennsylvania Squonk
Stand With Your Local Parks: Park Advocacy and Why It Matters
It’s autumn in Pennsylvania. The air is crisp, the holidays are right around the corner, and the leaves have turned wondrous shades of red, orange, and brown. What better way to give thanks for nature this season than taking a trip to a park to catch some incredible sights of fall foliage? PA certainly isn’t short of them. In fact, according to the DCNR, Pennsylvania has a longer and more varied fall foliage season than any other state in the nation. You just have to know the right places to look. And that’s where we come in. So get your scarves on and hiking boots tied and head out into the great outdoors to experience autumn in all its Pennsylvania park glory!
Hit the Trails
Pennsylvania is home to around 650 trails, equating to about 12,000 miles worth. That’s a lot of ground to cover! And while every trail of PA is wonderful in its own way, a few are picture-perfect for this time of year. Trails make it easy to not only stay active, but stay engaged with the beauty of nature. Here’s some of the best for fall foliage:
The York County Heritage Rail Trail is both informative and explorative! Along the 30-mile trail, you’ll bear witness to some pretty gorgeous fall views and a bit of history. Walk along the route that Abraham Lincoln took to give the Gettysburg Address. And for a particularly unique experience, climb aboard the Northern Central Railway of York for an autumnal excursion.
The Pine Creek Rail Trail in Pine Creek Gorge (aka the Grand Canyon of PA) is another excellent path to take in all the sights of fall. It’s 62-mile trail and the only rail trail in the Appalachian Mountains of northern PA. USA Today even named it on a list of “10 Great Places to Take a Bike Tour.” So what are you waiting for? Pump those wheels with air and hit the trail!
See the Sights
You don’t have to be a hiker to enjoy some fall foliage. There are plenty of reasons to head out into your nearby parks to catch a glimpse of the array of all-natural colors beyond walking a trail. How about seeing some special sights while you’re there?
Fairmount Park in Philadelphia isn’t any old park. Not only is it the largest landscaped urban park in the world, it’s jam-packed with exciting sights that complement a backdrop of visually pleasing leafery. Visit the Shofuso Japanese Cultural Center and Garden or maybe venture to the Water Works and see how Boathouse Row fares in the fall.
Looking for another perfect location for fall foliage viewing? You’ll cross that bridge when you get to it — literally. The Kinzua Bridge was once the largest and tallest railway structure. Visitors can venture out 600 feet on the walkway to view some incredible sights. Now especially, journeying to the Kinzua Bridge is ideal. While the bridge plans to be closed starting late November, they’ll be open for a limited time so visitors can take in the full fall foliage the way it was meant to. If that’s not a sign you should take a trip there this month, we don’t know what is!
Take a Walk in the Park
Some parks are meant for hiking, others for sightseeing. And some parks are just plain wonderful to take a stroll or sit on a bench. The John Heinz Wildlife Refuge in Tinicum is teeming with wildlife, plants, and greenery. But once autumn rolls around, the greens turn to incredible golds and reds — transforming the park into a fall wonderland. The space even has historic roots, being home to the Lenni Lenape who are and have always been caretakers of the space. (A visit this month will certainly be timely!)
Fun fact! Color-correcting viewfinders have been added to nine PA state parks recently. From Cook Forest to Leonard Harrison and more, these viewfinders will help those with colorblindness view fall foliage in all its glory, helping increase the contrast for red-green colorblindness. With a colorblind population of about 1 million, Pennsylvania is making strides to make parks more accessible for all — so everyone can enjoy the refreshing colors of fall.
Interested in viewing any and all possible park spots to see this November? The DCNR created a fall foliage map that can guide you on your journey to gorgeous sights. Of course, the Good for You Park Finder will guide you to over 6500 local and state parks in the state.
While some people enjoy parks in the summer months, filled with greens and a whole lot of sun, there’s no denying the cozy comfort that comes from nature in fall time: the warm-toned leaves, the brisk air perfect for bundling up, and it all is happening during the season of giving thanks.
