FRiends of Cook FOREST
STATE PARK
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Mission Statement:
Continuing the legacy of preservation and conservation of Cook Forest State Park. |
2021 Friends Events - update!
Cook Forest State Park Programs Update
As per the Cook Forest State Park website:
COVID-19 Mitigation UPDATE 3/26/21: Effective Sunday April 4, 2021: In line with Governor Tom Wolf’s latest orders intended to prevent the spread and mitigate the impacts of COVID-19, Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn announced an upcoming return of outdoors programming at state parks and expansion of occupancy limits within park and state forest buildings.
Check the calendar of events https://events.dcnr.pa.gov/ for scheduled programs.
“Environmental education and other outdoors programs helped our state parks system attain national prominence and we know they were sorely missed by our visitors,” Dunn said. “This and other operational changes follow Department of Health guidelines while broadening the enjoyment of state park and forests visitors. Since the pandemic’s outset we kept our lands open to all so that people can safely enjoy outdoor recreation to maintain positive physical and mental health.”
At Pennsylvania’s state parks and forests, the following will be in effect starting Sunday, April 4:
As per the Cook Forest State Park website:
COVID-19 Mitigation UPDATE 3/26/21: Effective Sunday April 4, 2021: In line with Governor Tom Wolf’s latest orders intended to prevent the spread and mitigate the impacts of COVID-19, Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn announced an upcoming return of outdoors programming at state parks and expansion of occupancy limits within park and state forest buildings.
Check the calendar of events https://events.dcnr.pa.gov/ for scheduled programs.
“Environmental education and other outdoors programs helped our state parks system attain national prominence and we know they were sorely missed by our visitors,” Dunn said. “This and other operational changes follow Department of Health guidelines while broadening the enjoyment of state park and forests visitors. Since the pandemic’s outset we kept our lands open to all so that people can safely enjoy outdoor recreation to maintain positive physical and mental health.”
At Pennsylvania’s state parks and forests, the following will be in effect starting Sunday, April 4:
- Outdoor, in-person programs will resume with a limit of 40 participants per program. Masks and social distancing are required;
- Visitor center exhibit halls, interpretive areas and theaters will open with a 75 percent capacity visitation allowance. Masks and social distancing are required;
- Volunteer work days will resume with a limit of 40 participants per group. Masks and social distancing are required;
- Virtual and self-guided programs will continue to be offered;
- Scheduled programs will be listed on DCNR’s Calendar of Events; and
- Large, DCNR-sponsored events remain canceled until further notice.
For the complete report visit the DCNR website: DCNR Announces Operational Changes At State Parks, Forests
Visiting our Parks:
(Out of State Visitors - please see state website for the latest quarantine procedures. Currently, as per Governor Wolf, the PA Department of Health aligned its quarantine guidance for people exposed to COVID-19 with the new guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This guidance provides an option for a 10-day quarantine without testing or a seven-day quarantine with a negative test on or after day-five of quarantine.)
Visiting our Parks:
(Out of State Visitors - please see state website for the latest quarantine procedures. Currently, as per Governor Wolf, the PA Department of Health aligned its quarantine guidance for people exposed to COVID-19 with the new guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This guidance provides an option for a 10-day quarantine without testing or a seven-day quarantine with a negative test on or after day-five of quarantine.)
Sensory Trail Project - Update
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Sensory Trail – A Move Forward Help us reach our goal! The Friends of Cook Forest, a chapter of the Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Foundation, is raising money to rebuild a deteriorating existing paved trail for people with mobility and vision challenges. During this COVID lockdown, Pennsylvania's state parks are experiencing a record-breaking public use of their outdoor trails, with accompanying related costs. We would like to include new seating, Braille and raised line signs, and a way-finding guide rope. With these improvements, visitors with mobility issues, wheelchair and walker users, and people with low vision can have easier access to beautiful Cook Forest State Park. We are well on our way to making this trail a reality! We have already raised $4,000 toward this project but we still need $5,000 for the signs with raised line English and Braille, the way-finding rope, and ADA accessible seating. With your generous support, people with mobility and vision issues can have a safe outdoor experience and a respite from the COVID quarantine. If we raise more than we need for the project, and any additional funds raised will be set aside in a fund to maintain the trail. You can help us achieve our goal with your donation. Read our latest newsletter article about the project here. Thank you for your support! |
The "bench" pictured above is neither comfortable nor safe. We plan to replace them with ADA accessible seating.
An example of the raised letter/Braille signage.
We're excited to add guide rope for the aid of those with mobility or vision issues.
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Sensory Trail Project
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The Friends of Cook Forest have taken on a new project - turning the 0.2 mile Paved Trail into a "Sensory Trail". This ADA-accessible trail loop winds through a mature hardwood forest. It can be reached via the water tower access road near the entrance of the Sawmill Center for the Arts.
Plans include repaving, adding a guide rope the length of the trail, braille/raised letter signage, frequent benches for resting and more. You can help us achieve our goal with your donation. Read our latest newsletter article about the project here. |
Example of a braille/raised letter sign from another park
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STATE PARK OPENING GUIDELINES:
DCNR's opening guidelines can be found here.
(Please follow the link above for latest information.)
DCNR's opening guidelines can be found here.
(Please follow the link above for latest information.)
Crossing one bridge at a time campaign
Become one with the Forest...
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The Clarion River and the Forest Cathedral are the stars of the show here at Cook Forest, and the Friends of Cook Forest take full advantage of the natural wonders of our park! In fact, our number one priority is an all out assault on the Hemlock woolly adelgid that threaten the beautiful hemlocks of the Forest. The Friends Group joined in a community search for locations of Hemlock woolly adelgid in Cook Forest. We found them, and it became an important part of The Cathedral documentary being filmed at the time. The films production and viewing around the state helped earn Cook Forest State Park the '2018 Pennsylvania State Park of the Year' Award. |
Breathtaking adventures
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Plan your Cook Forest Visit! The Friends of Cook Forest are happy to provide you with a 7-day forecast so you can be prepared for all kinds of weather-whether hiking, camping, canoeing, cross country skiing, biking or any of the other wonderful outdoor activities available at the Park!
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The Forest is CALLing.
WILL YOU ANSWER?
Join us as a member, volunteer or VISITOR!
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