CAMP HILL — The Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Foundation (PPFF) held its 16th Annual Awards Banquet and celebrated 11 award recipients for their outstanding stewardship of Pennsylvania’s state natural assets. The 2025 Park of the Year, sponsored by Seneca Resources, is the Hills Creek State Park Complex, including Cherry Springs in Coudersport, Lyman Run in Galeton and Denton Hill in Ulysses.

The event was held at Little Buffalo State Park in Newport, on May 13. The winner of the 2025 Improvement Award, sponsored by Marotta / Main Architects, is Paul Yost. The winner of the 2025 Cliff Jones Keystone Legacy Award, sponsored by Domtar, is Dwight Lewis Lumber Co./Lewis Lumber Products. The 2025 Forest of the Year, sponsored by Purple Lizard Maps, is the Loyalsock State Forest.

The annual event brought together individuals, businesses, and organizations from across the state, including Cindy Adams Dunn, Secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR).

“Pennsylvania state parks and forests are wonderful places to visit because of the community of support that help these special places run,” Dunn said. “That community ranges from the outstanding volunteers and Friends Groups to the amazing staff that give tirelessly to make public lands welcoming for all. I am grateful for the Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Foundation for being a tremendous partner and for prioritizing these awards to help honor the exemplary work of those who support public lands.”

Tina Molski, chairwoman of the PPFF board, said, “We honor those who have gone above and beyond to conserve the resources so essential to life and those who help connect people to these assets. Their leadership, hard work, and passion remind us that it takes a dedicated community to steward the wild and wonderful places we love.”

When Gov. Josh Shapiro launched his multi-day adventure to springboard the marketing campaign, ‘Pennsylvania: The Great American Getaway,’ staff at Leonard Harrison, Lyman Run and Cherry Spring launched into action. They wanted not only to provide a memorable camping experience, but also to showcase the parks and the projects occurring at these parks.

At Leonard Harrison, a newly renovated visitor center opened in 2024 which includes a retail operation for the PA Wilds Conservation Shop and improved traffic flow. The project included the reassembly by the Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps of a Civilian Conservation Corps log cabin that had been dismantled by the Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps in 2021.

At Cherry Springs State Park, a large $4 million project kicked off in Spring of 2024. The project seeks to improve visitor flow, provide new visitor entrances and headlight mounds to improve night-sky recreation, create a new contact station, provide expanded visitor programing/ event space, as well potable water treatment & storage. As the project continues, two large Star Parties and the Annual Woodsman Carnival take place along with regular staff programming and visitors.

At Lyman Run, multiple ATV events occurred through the park utilizing township roads and the Susquehannock ATV trail, including Lyman Lower Campgrounds Overnight ATV access.

At Denton Hill a partnership was established with Denton Go to reopen the iconic lodge (adventure center) as a venue for events such as weddings and providing a base of operations for Polaris Razor Rentals. Park and Regional Staff upgraded traditional tent camping, RV sites, and modern cabins at the park, and initiated work with FDC & DGS for Capital Improvement Projects.

Simultaneously, staff and Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps members completed a yurt renovation, installing traditional windows and replacing canvas walls and top coverings, allowing for a better view and more natural light. Additionally, Park Staff completed the modern cabin window and door replacement project, meaning that over the past five years, all ten cabins have been rehabbed.

The event also held a silent auction where the proceeds will go towards funding accessible equipment and opportunities in PA state parks and forests to help ensure outdoor access for everyone.