FRIENDS OF COOK FOREST Past Projects

To continue the legacy of preservation and conservation of Cook Forest State Park.
​here you will find our current Projects FOR THE PARK.  Link to  past projects below.

Paved Sensory Trail

Dedicated in July of 2022, the Friends updated the former paved trail with 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. 
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Paved Sensory Trail
Tree of Peace - Commemorative Sign

During our September 2020 Walk with Friends hike we placed a sign on Longfellow Trail to commemorate the planting of the Tree of Peace in 1995, which honors Chief Jake Swamp, one of the most respected Iroquois leaders of the last century.​
(L-R, Dale Luthringer, Carl Harting, Mike Doyle)
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Tree of Peace Sign Installation
New Furniture for the New Park Office

In the fall of 2020 the beautiful furniture graciously donated by Briar Hill Furniture on Rt. 36 was finally placed on the porch of the new Park office.  Covid put those plans on hold!  Members of the Friends Group shown here enjoying the chairs, loveseat and tables. ​
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Briar Hill Furniture - Porch Furniture
Cook Trail Restoration and Renovation

In August of 2018 the interpretive Cook Trail was restored and renovated.  Friend Group members Carl and Ann Harting with the assistance of  CFSP Environmental Education Specialist,  Dale Luthringer, designed the new metal signs.  The Friends secured the supplies, built and installed almost 20 timber sign posts and the interpretive signs along the two mile trail, educating hikers about Cook Forest and what they might see along the trail. This helped us in our move to educate the younger generation about the forest, and makes for a wonderful family walk. (oh-yes, and removed and discarded the old posts as well.)
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Cook Trail Restoration and Renovation
Parking Area and Access Trail for Canoe Launch
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In 2017, the Friends received a grant to build a small parking area and access trail to the 4-mile canoe launch on River Road on the Clarion River. The Friends were able to secure supplies and manpower to clear a small area and lay gravel for parking and access to the canoe launch. We then cleared and built a footpath to the road from the lot.
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Canoe Launch Project
Milkweed Seed Planting 
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The Friends have an organized Milkweed Seed Planting to foster the growth of milkweed for the Monarch Butterflies that rely on these plants for survival. The numbers of Monarch Butterflies have been declining, so we are trying to do our part to save them.  You can plant milkweed in your own yard to hep save the majestic Monarch Butterfly .
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Milkweed-Monarch Butterfly



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Current Projects can be found here