FRiends of Cook FOREST
STATE PARK
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Mission Statement:
Continuing the legacy of preservation and conservation of Cook Forest State Park. |
Walk with friends - June 26, 9am
Wood Carvers Festival - July 10-11, 10am
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Join us at the
Sawmill Center for the Arts for the Woodcarvers Festival! We'll be at the festival both days Saturday, July 10 (10am-5pm) and Sunday, July 11 (10am-3pm). Come and learn about becoming a member of the Friends of Cook Forest, our volunteer work and current projects. Our main project for the year will be our Sensory Trail (more info below). Bill Mealy of Scotch Hill has once again submitted a donation in the form of a bird house/feeder as one of the prizes (image at right). |
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Forest Fest Annual Fundraiser
Saturday, June 19, 1pm - 3:30pm
Thank you to those who came out to support our Annual Fundraiser and to our host - Deer Meadow Campground.
2021 Friends Events - update!
Cook Forest State Park Programs Update
As per the Cook Forest State Park website:
COVID-19 Mitigation UPDATE 6/1/21 until further notice):
As per the Cook Forest State Park website:
COVID-19 Mitigation UPDATE 6/1/21 until further notice):
- Outdoor programming resumes normal occupancy.
- Indoor programming resumes at 50% occupancy.
- Visitor center exhibit halls resume normal occupancy.
- During programming, masking is not required for vaccinated visitors. Masking is required for unvaccinated visitors.
If you have questions, please call the park office before your visit.
For the complete report visit the DCNR website: DCNR Announces Operational Changes At State Parks, Forests
For the complete report visit the DCNR website: DCNR Announces Operational Changes At State Parks, Forests
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 revamp a deteriorating existing paved trail for people with mobility and vision challenges and for those with autism. 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, people with low vision & those with autism 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 and those with autism can have a safe outdoor experience and a respite from the COVID quarantine. If we raise more than we need for the project, 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 adding a guide rope the length of the trail, braille/raised letter signage, frequent benches for resting, repairing & sealing the pavement, and leveling the sides with a natural crushed stone. 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!
membership |
Volunteer |
Donate |