HARRISBURG — Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn announced the appointment of Robert Sweeney to manage Chapman State Park in Warren County.

“Robert has demonstrated a wonderful commitment to the outdoors with DCNR in a number of roles,” Dunn said. “I expect he will be a wonderful addition to the park and the community at large based on his education, experience and his mentality as a servant leader. We are look forward to seeing the impact he will have shaping the operations at Chapman.”

Sweeney will oversee the 862-acre Chapman State Park, which includes the 68-acre Chapman Lake on the West Branch of Tionesta Creek. He said he is eager to meet with local stakeholders, county and federal partners to help increase the profile of the park through programming and events such as upcoming Warren County Winterfest.

“Chapman is a true gem in the state parks system, and I want to do everything I can to help bring people here to visit, stay overnight and then explore the greater Allegheny region,” Sweeney said. “I am excited to take on this new role, along with the opportunity to be a leader in our community.”

Most recently, Sweeney served as an assistant park manager at Nockamixon State Park Bucks County. Sweeney is a Camp Hill native who said he always wanted to work for DCNR. He received an undergraduate degree from State University New York (SUNY) College of Environmental Science and Forestry.

Following graduation, Sweeney moved to California where he worked as an outdoor educator. He returned to Pennsylvania and worked for the Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps in 2018, which he credits for helping build a better understanding of how state parks operate.