| Maurice K. Goddard State Park | |
|---|---|
 Fall foliage reflected in Lake Wilhelm in the park | |
  Location of Maurice K. Goddard State Park in Pennsylvania Show map of Pennsylvania Maurice K. Goddard State Park (the United States) Show map of the United States | |
| Location | Mercer, Pennsylvania, United States |
| Coordinates | 41°25′44″N80°08′41″W / 41.42889°N 80.14472°W /41.42889; -80.14472 |
| Area | 2,856 acres (11.56 km2) |
| Elevation | 1,270 ft (390 m)[1] |
| Established | 1972 |
| Visitors | over 200,000[2] |
| Governing body | Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources |
| Website | Maurice K. Goddard State Park |
Maurice K. Goddard State Park is a 2,856-acre (1,156 ha)Pennsylvania state park inDeer Creek,Mill Creek,New Vernon andSandy Lake Townships,Mercer County,Pennsylvania in the United States. It features wildlife, waterways and public recreational facilities.Lake Wilhelm shares its shorelines with Maurice K. Goddard State Park andState Game Land No. 270. The dam, built in 1971, creates a 1,860-acre (750 ha) reservoir providing a resource for people and wildlife. Many species of fish and amphibians make Lake Wilhelm their home. A variety of outdoor activities are available in and around the park vicinity. Special events and programs are held throughout the summer months. Maurice K. Goddard State Park is just off exit 130 ofInterstate 79 onPennsylvania Route 358.
The park is one of five Pennsylvania State Parks that were in the path of totality for the April 2024 total solar eclipse, with 59 seconds of totality.[3]
Sandy Creek, the stream that was dammed to create Lake Wilhelm, was noted in reports made byGeorge Washington during his 1753 trip toFort LeBoeuf during theFrench and Indian War. Sandy Creek had a recurring history of flooding. This led to a study by theU.S. Army Corps of Engineers which began in 1939. Plans were delayed by the start ofWorld War II but the citizens of Mercer County could see the benefit of building a flood control dam on Sandy Creek. The state, county, township and municipal authorities of the surrounding area worked together to push forward the idea of building the dam and recreational facilities in Mercer County. The land was acquired in the late 1960s. Construction on the dam began soon after and was completed in 1971. Maurice K. Goddard State Park was opened to the public in 1972.[4]
Maurice K. Goddard State park is named forMaurice K. Goddard. Goddard was a graduate of theUniversity of Maine and theUniversity of California at Berkeley. After reaching the rank of Lieutenant Colonel during World War II, Goddard came to Pennsylvania, where he took a job atMont Alto Forestry School and later atPenn State Main Campus before he was appointed Secretary of the Pennsylvania Bureau of Forests and Waters, a forerunner of thePennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. Upon taking his position with the state, Goddard set about completing his goal of having astate park within 25 miles (40 km) of every resident of Pennsylvania. When Goddard retired in 1979, after 24 years working for the state parks, he had helped to add 45 state parks and over 130,000 acres (52,600 ha) of state park land to the Pennsylvania State Park system.[4]
The variety of habitats at Maurice K. Goddard State Park attracts a variety of birds.Bald eagles andosprey can be seen flying over Lake Wilhelm as they scan the waters for fish. The old fields and forests are home towoodcocks,nighthawks,snipes, and a variety ofwarblers. Migrating waterfowl like theloon,common teal,goldeneye,merganser, andbufflehead stop by Lake Wilhelm in the spring and fall.Woodpeckers including thepileated woodpecker live in the woods of the park.Bluebirds andpurple martins make their homes in the old fields and meadows of Maurice K. Goddard State Park.[4]
Lake Wilhelm is a man-made reservoir and warm water fishery which lies partly within Maurice K. Goddard State Park and partly within the adjoining game lands. Common game fish found in the lake includelargemouth andsmallmouth bass,perch,crappie,bluegill,catfish,walleye,northern pike andmuskellunge. All fishermen are expected to follow the rules and regulations of thePennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission.[4] Fivenatural gas wells have been drilled around Lake Wilhelm as of May 2009,[needs update] with up to 15 more to follow. The state does not own themineral rights under much of the park, but did work with the driller to minimize the impact of the wells on recreational uses of the park.[2]
The portions of Lake Wilhelm that are within Maurice K. Goddard State Park are open to watercraft up to 20 horsepower (15 kW). There is a 241-spacemarina and a 48-space dry land mooring area that is open from May 1 to October 31. The marina has an ample parking lot for cars and trucks with trailers. There are four boat launches, a marina building, and a fueling station. Rowboats, pedal boats, canoes, and kayaks are available to rent. Only non-powered boats are permitted in the portions of the lake that are within the state game land boundaries. All vessels must have current registration from any state or a launch permit from thePennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission.[4]
There are over 1,155 acres (467 ha) open tohunting at Maurice K. Goddard State Park. Hunters are expected to follow the rules and regulations of thePennsylvania Game Commission. The common game species are waterfowl andwhite-tailed deer. The hunting ofgroundhogs is prohibited. Hunters may gain access to the nearby state game lands by entering through the park.[4]
Maurice K. Goddard State Park is open during the winter months forice fishing,ice boating,ice skating, sledding and tobogganing,cross-country skiing andsnowmobiling.[4]
The Friends of Goddard State Park (FRoG) partner with the park to help conserve the natural environment of the areas within and around Goddard State Park by educating and introducing people to the world of nature and the facilities available to them.[4] The Friends group also organizes two big events for the park: the Pioneer Frolic and Music at the Marina. The Pioneer Frolic takes place the last weekend in June and includes reenactors, food vendors, live music, and other entertainment. Music at the Marina showcases local bands and independent musicians with the addition of food vendors, a car cruise, and fireworks. Both events feature a donation-based book sale and have free admission.
Friends of Goddard State Park is a sub-chapter of the Pennsylvania Parks and Forest Foundation and a non-profit501(c)(3) organization.[4]
The following state parks are within 30 miles (48 km) of Maurice K. Goddard State Park:[5][6][7][8]
