HARRISBURG – Sept. 13 marks the 100th anniversary of the birth of Maurice K. Goddard, patriarch of the Pennsylvania state park system. Goddard served under five Pennsylvania governors as Secretary of Forests and Waters and as the founding secretary of the Department of Environmental Resources.
During his tenure, Goddard added 45 parks and 130,000 acres of public park land to the state. Goddard’s efforts helped make Pennsylvania’s park system one of the best in the country. In 2009, Pennsylvania received the National Gold Medal Award for Excellence in Park and Recreation Management from the American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration. The Goddard Legacy Project began the same year to increase awareness of Goddard’s impact.
Goddard’s work as a public servant included:
- Securing a state park within 25 miles of every Pennsylvanian;
- Dedicating funding for natural resource conservation;
- Aiding the formation of the Delaware River Basin Commission and the Susquehanna River Basin Commission;
- Creating a watershed-scale approach to resource conservation; and
- Influencing the national conservation policy.
This year the Legacy Project Task Force and the Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Foundation are hosting several activities to commemorate the 100-year anniversary of his birth.
Beginning in August, the Goddard Challenge calls for participants to visit state parks acquired during Goddard’s tenure, forest and natural areas, the Goddard historic marker and the Goddard documentary.
Players print a Goddard Challenge Card and visit each place in a row, column, or diagonal for their chance to win prizes. Participants photograph themselves beside the park sign as proof of visitation.
On Sept. 13, a birthday party for Goddard, a former Camp Hill resident, will be held at the Camp Hill United Methodist Church. Visitors may watch the Goddard documentary and learn more about his background and life at this event.
On Oct. 13, the Camp Hill Borough will hold a Goddard 5k race/walk through the Goddard Memorial Trail. The trail is designated with a marker describing Goddard’s influence on the state park system.
Also on Oct. 13, cycling enthusiasts can take part in a metric century bike ride between two Goddard parks. The ride will begin at Gifford Pinchot State Park at 8 a.m. and continue to Codorus State Park before returning back.
Furthermore on Oct. 21 Ridley Creek, one of the parks added to the state system during Goddard’s tenure, will be holding an event to celebrate the park’s 40th birthday. Tours of the mansion, exhibits and refreshments will be available. In 1972, during Goddard’s time as
Secretary of the Department of the Environmental Resources, eight other parks also became part of Pennsylvania’s system. These state parks include: Beltzville, Milton, Bald Eagle, Locust Lake, Lackawanna, Little Buffalo, M.K. Goddard, Shikellamy and Ridley Creek.
Currently, 35 million people visit Pennsylvania state parks annually. Spending time in natural areas, such as state parks, has been known to decrease stress, increase interpersonal bonding and promote recreation and exercise. Public lands are an integral part of the overall health of the state and are important beyond measure. Even people who never set foot in a state park or forest benefit immensely from these natural treasures. Goddard had a large role in gifting that treasure to all Pennsylvanians, said Marci Mowery, president of Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Foundation.
Founded in 1999, the Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Foundation supports 120 state parks and 2.2 million acres of forest by coordinating volunteers, activities and donations through its 34 chapters. The non-profit promotes outdoor recreation, healthier life styles and environmental education.
To learn more about these events and Goddard, visit www.paparksandforests.org.