The Pennsylvania Wilds initiative received a $110,000 shot in
the arm with a state grant designed to entice visitors to visit the
northern tier and experience all it has to offer.
Gov. Ed Rendell on Wednesday announced the grant which will help
four target areas – the Allegheny National Forest in McKean and
Warren counties, Dark Sky Preserve at Cherry Springs State Park in
Potter County as well as Gobbler’s Knob in Jefferson County and
Pine Creek Gorge in Tioga County.
The grant is funded through a multitude of sources – $50,000
from the Appalachian Regional Commission, $40,000 from the
Pennsylvania Tourism Office and $20,000 from the local
organizations representing the visitors’ bureaus in those
areas.
James A. “Mickey” Rowley, deputy secretary for tourism in the
state, explained the grant was developed to entice “capacity
building” in areas where tourism is already a valued resource.
“To make sure local things are available,” he said. “Match the
experience with the available services” such as eating and
sleeping.
The grant will allow state officials to work with local tourism
groups to capitalize on that niche.
“They are marketing already. We will assist them in locating
potential services, businesses that can support the four
sites.”
For instance, the Dark Sky Preserve has a unique niche in that
people can see the Milky Way with the naked eye.
In capitalizing on that region, officials would want people to
realize there’s local restaurants to try out and even sample local
cuisine such as leeks, Rowley said.
“We would love to take that food and make it available in a
somewhat organized fashion … eat stuff away from home. Experience
it.
“Our job will be to find ways to make the stuff available. It’s
all about Bradford or McKean County.”
Rowley said the areas were selected through research from
National Geographic and they had to be an “outdoor heritage
attraction.”
These areas, now that they are identified, need to be open and
available when needed by tourists. They need to identify what the
commodity is and make sure there’s resources available for the
consumer, Rowley said.
The project is broken down into three parts – inventory what’s
there, see what’s currently accessible and train the people to
build on what’s there, he said.
In particular, Rowley is sure the Dark Sky Preserve will be
popular.
“(It) will be a massive hit,” he said. “I guarantee it.”
Rowley also lauded Kathleen Morse, forest supervisor, for her
visions in the ANF and aligning her goals with the Pa. Wilds
initiatives.
This includes businesses that provide items unique to that
region.
People who travel also want to buy and take home a part of that
area, Rowley said.
“People will buy stuff.”
The Wilds covers Cameron, Clarion, Clearfield, Clinton, Elk,
Forest, Jefferson, Lycoming, McKean, Potter, Tioga and Warren
counties. It includes 27 state parks and 1.5 million acres of state
forest and game lands, the Allegheny National Forest, Pine Creek
Gorge, the largest elk herd in the northeast U.S. and the darkest
nighttime skies at Cherry Springs State Park.
Expanding tourism in the northern part of the state has been a
priority for Rendell.
“We have seen that there is great potential for expanding and
promoting nature tourism here,” Rendell told members of the Pa.
Wilds Task Force. “At the same time, we want to protect this
valuable natural resource for generations to come.”
“Outdoor Recreation in the 21st Century: The Pennsylvania Wilds”
looked at 41 outdoor recreations dependent on natural resources.
The analysis found:
– Outdoor recreation is a passion shared by most Americans, but
50 percent of outdoor enthusiasts are only passively involved.
– Recreational preferences differ significantly between rural
and urban populations, and those activities enjoyed by people who
live in urban areas (wildlife viewing, hiking, canoeing/kayaking,
visiting historic places, scenic driving and horseback riding among
others) represent opportunities for future growth.
– Minorities, women and the elderly are underserved populations
in the outdoor recreation market.
– Outdoor enthusiasts interested in specialized recreation such
as water-based activities, wildlife watching and backpacking
represent a large market.
– Pennsylvania and its five surrounding states represent one of
the largest portions of the current outdoor recreation market.
“While many people are passionate about outdoor recreation, this
study shows that this region is not yet a top destination,” Rendell
said. “With this information, we will be able to consider expanding
and creating new activities and opportunities to bring more people
to the Pennsylvania Wilds so they can enjoy the great outdoor
experiences that await them.”
