Lower Windsor Township near Wrightsville in York County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Parks are for People
Maurice K. Goddard's Legacy
Soak in this awe-inspiring scene. You walked or drove only a short distance to get here. Admission was free. Now you'll spend the day in one of the most beautiful places in Pennsylvania, picnicking or swimming, hiking or fishing. And you have Maurice K. Goddard to thank for it.
Dr. Goddard was appointed Pennsylvania Secretary of Forests and Waters in 1955. He worked tirelessly to ensure recreational opportunities for everyone, as well as clean water, healthy forests, and open space. In 1962, he established the Bureau of State Parks to specialize in park management. He dreamed of having a state park within 25 miles of every Pennsylvanian. His far reaching vision included dedicated funding streams such as the Oil and Gas Lease Fund bringing recreation, conservation and improved water quality to all Pennsylvanians.
Recreation, Conservation and Scenic Beauty
Dr. Goddard and his dedicated staff worked endlessly to bring outdoor activities closer to all residents. Today, more than 35 million visitors a year recreate in our state park system. In 2009, Pennsylvania was recognized by an
this page online
Stewardship is Rewarding
It's Maurice K. Goddard's legacy, but it can be yours, too. Commit a bit of your time, sponsor a project, volunteer, donate to your state park or state forest. Future generations will thank you. Visit paparksandforests.org to see how you can become involved.
Erected by Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources; Pennsylvania Parks & Forests Foundation.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Parks & Recreational Areas. A significant historical year for this entry is 1955.
Location. 39° 59.772′ N, 76° 32.934′ W. Marker is near Wrightsville, Pennsylvania, in York County. It is in Lower Windsor Township. It can be reached from Samuel S Lewis State Park just west of Mount Pisgah Road, on the left when traveling west. This marker is located near the 1st parking & picnic area upon entering Samuel S. Lewis State Park, close to the park information kiosk. Touch for map. Marker is at
Regionally, this marker is in South-Central Pennsylvania, specifically in Pennsylvania Dutch Country, in the Susquehanna Valley, and in Greater Harrisburg. It is also in the American Northeast and in the Mid-Atlantic. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: George E. Stine Arboretum (within shouting distance of this marker); Crossing the River (within shouting distance of this marker); America's First Iron Steamboat (approx. 1.8 miles away); W. Henry Crumling (approx. 1.8 miles away); Wrightsville (approx. 1.9 miles away); Road of Remembrance (approx. 1.9 miles away); World War Memorial (approx. 2 miles away); Veterans Memorial (approx. 2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Wrightsville.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 20, 2023. It was originally submitted on September 7, 2022, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 190 times since then and 13 times this year. Last updated on June 3, 2023, by Annette Fillmore of York, Pennsylvania. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 7, 2022, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
