Maurice K. Goddard State Park
Encyclopedia
Maurice K. Goddard State Park is a 2856 acres (1,155.8 ha) Pennsylvania state park in Deer Creek, Mill Creek
, New Vernon and Sandy Lake Townships, Mercer County
, Pennsylvania
in the United States. It features natural beauty, wildlife
, waterways and public recreational facilities. Lake Wilhelm shares its shorelines with Maurice K. Goddard State Park and State Game Land No. 270
. The dam
, constructed in 1971, creates a 1860 acres (752.7 ha) lake providing a resource for people and wildlife. Many species of fish
and amphibian
s make Lake Wilhelm their home. A variety of outdoor activities are available in and around the Park vicinity. The addition of the Goddard Classroom, at the Marina facility, provides the opportunity to present programs about nature, wildlife and ecology. Special events and programs are held throughout the summer months. Maurice K. Goddard State Park is just off exit 130 of Interstate 79
on Pennsylvania Route 358
.
, the stream that was dammed to create Lake Wilhelm, was noted in reports made by George Washington
during his 1753 trip to Fort LeBoeuf during the French and Indian War
. Sandy Creek had a recurring history of flooding. This led to a study by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
. The study began in 1939. Plans were delayed by the start of World War II
but the citizens of Mercer County could see the benefit of building a flood control dam on Sandy Creek. The state, county, township and municipal authorities of the surrounding area worked together to push forward the idea of building the dam and recreational facilities in Mercer County. The land was acquired in the late 1960s. Construction on the dam began soon after and was completed in 1971. Maurice K. Goddard State Park was opened to the public in 1972.
Maurice K. Goddard State park is named for Maurice K. Goddard
. Goddard was a graduate of the University of Maine
and the University of California at Berkeley. After reaching the rank of Lieutenant Colonel during World War II, Goddard came to Pennsylvania where he took a job at Mont Alto Forestry School and later at Penn State Main Campus
before he was appointed Secretary of the Pennsylvania Bureau of Forests and Waters, a forerunner of the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
. Upon taking his position with the state, Goddard set about completing his goal of having a state park
within 25 miles (40.2 km) of every resident of Pennsylvania. When Goddard retired in 1979, after 24 years working for the state parks, he had helped to add 45 state parks and over 130000 acres (52,609.2 ha) of state park land to the Pennsylvania State Park system.
at Maurice K. Goddard State Park attracts a wide variety of birds. Bald Eagle
s and osprey
can be seen flying over Lake Wilhelm as they scan the waters for fish. The old fields and forests are home to woodcock
s, nighthawk
s, snipe
s, and a variety of warbler
s. Migrating waterfowl like the loon
, common teal
, goldeneye
, merganser, and bufflehead
stop by Lake Wilhelm in the spring and fall. Woodpecker
s including the Pileated Woodpecker
live in the woods of the park. Bluebird
s and purple martin
s make their homes in the old fields and meadow
s of Maurice K. Goddard State Park.
and smallmouth bass
, perch
, crappie
, bluegill
, catfish
, walleye
, northern pike
and muskellunge
. All fishermen are expected to follow the rules and regulations of the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission
. Five natural gas
wells have been drilled around Lake Wilhelm as of May 2009, with up to 15 more to follow. The state does not own the mineral rights
under much of the park, but did work with the driller to minimize the impact of the wells on recreational uses of the park.
The portions of Lake Wilhelm that are within Maurice K. Goddard State Park are open to watercraft up to 20 hp. There is a 241 space marina
and a 48 space dry land mooring area that is open from May 1 to October 31. The marina has an ample parking lot for cars and trucks with trailers. There are four boat launches, a marina building and a fueling station. Rowboats, peddle boats, canoe
s and kayak
s are available to rent. Only non-powered boats are permitted in the portions of the lake that are within the state game land boundaries. All vessels must have a current registration from any state or a launch permit from the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission
.
at Maurice K. Goddard State Park. Hunters are expected to follow the rules and regulations of the Pennsylvania Game Commission
. The common game species are waterfowl and White-tailed Deer
. The hunting of Groundhog
s is prohibited. Hunters may gain access to the nearby state game lands by entering through the park.
, ice boat
ing, ice skating
, sledding and tobogganing, cross-country skiing
and snowmobiling
.
Friends of Goddard State Park also known as "FroG" is a sub-chapter of the Pennsylvania Parks and Forest Foundation and a non-profit 501(3)c organization.
Mill Creek Township, Mercer County, Pennsylvania
Mill Creek Township is a township in Mercer County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 639 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 19.3 square miles , of which, 18.9 square miles of it is land and...
, New Vernon and Sandy Lake Townships, Mercer County
Mercer County, Pennsylvania
Mercer County is a county located in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. As of 2010, the population was 116,638. Its county seat is Mercer; Sharon is its largest city....
, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
in the United States. It features natural beauty, wildlife
Wildlife
Wildlife includes all non-domesticated plants, animals and other organisms. Domesticating wild plant and animal species for human benefit has occurred many times all over the planet, and has a major impact on the environment, both positive and negative....
, waterways and public recreational facilities. Lake Wilhelm shares its shorelines with Maurice K. Goddard State Park and State Game Land No. 270
Pennsylvania State Game Lands
The Pennsylvania State Game Lands are lands managed by the Pennsylvania Game Commission for hunting, trapping, and fishing. These lands, often not usable for farming or development, are donated to the PGC or purchased by the PGC with hunting license monies.The Pennsylvania Game Commission runs a...
. The dam
Dam
A dam is a barrier that impounds water or underground streams. Dams generally serve the primary purpose of retaining water, while other structures such as floodgates or levees are used to manage or prevent water flow into specific land regions. Hydropower and pumped-storage hydroelectricity are...
, constructed in 1971, creates a 1860 acres (752.7 ha) lake providing a resource for people and wildlife. Many species of fish
Fish
Fish are a paraphyletic group of organisms that consist of all gill-bearing aquatic vertebrate animals that lack limbs with digits. Included in this definition are the living hagfish, lampreys, and cartilaginous and bony fish, as well as various extinct related groups...
and amphibian
Amphibian
Amphibians , are a class of vertebrate animals including animals such as toads, frogs, caecilians, and salamanders. They are characterized as non-amniote ectothermic tetrapods...
s make Lake Wilhelm their home. A variety of outdoor activities are available in and around the Park vicinity. The addition of the Goddard Classroom, at the Marina facility, provides the opportunity to present programs about nature, wildlife and ecology. Special events and programs are held throughout the summer months. Maurice K. Goddard State Park is just off exit 130 of Interstate 79
Interstate 79
Interstate 79 is an Interstate Highway in the eastern United States, designated from Interstate 77 in Charleston, West Virginia to Pennsylvania Route 5 and Pennsylvania Route 290 in Erie, Pennsylvania...
on Pennsylvania Route 358
Pennsylvania Route 358
Pennsylvania Route 358 is located in Western Pennsylvania, running from the Ohio state line west of Greenville to Sandy Lake in Mercer County.-Route description:...
.
History
Sandy CreekSandy Creek (Allegheny River)
Sandy Creek is a tributary of the Allegheny River in Venango, Mercer and Crawford counties in Pennsylvania in the United States. The run is long, flows southeast , then east , and its watershed is in area....
, the stream that was dammed to create Lake Wilhelm, was noted in reports made by George Washington
George Washington
George Washington was the dominant military and political leader of the new United States of America from 1775 to 1799. He led the American victory over Great Britain in the American Revolutionary War as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army from 1775 to 1783, and presided over the writing of...
during his 1753 trip to Fort LeBoeuf during the French and Indian War
French and Indian War
The French and Indian War is the common American name for the war between Great Britain and France in North America from 1754 to 1763. In 1756, the war erupted into the world-wide conflict known as the Seven Years' War and thus came to be regarded as the North American theater of that war...
. Sandy Creek had a recurring history of flooding. This led to a study by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
United States Army Corps of Engineers
The United States Army Corps of Engineers is a federal agency and a major Army command made up of some 38,000 civilian and military personnel, making it the world's largest public engineering, design and construction management agency...
. The study began in 1939. Plans were delayed by the start of World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
but the citizens of Mercer County could see the benefit of building a flood control dam on Sandy Creek. The state, county, township and municipal authorities of the surrounding area worked together to push forward the idea of building the dam and recreational facilities in Mercer County. The land was acquired in the late 1960s. Construction on the dam began soon after and was completed in 1971. Maurice K. Goddard State Park was opened to the public in 1972.
Maurice K. Goddard State park is named for Maurice K. Goddard
Maurice K. Goddard
Maurice K. Goddard was the driving force behind the creation of 45 Pennsylvania state parks during his 24 years as a cabinet officer for six governors of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in the United States....
. Goddard was a graduate of the University of Maine
University of Maine
The University of Maine is a public research university located in Orono, Maine, United States. The university was established in 1865 as a land grant college and is referred to as the flagship university of the University of Maine System...
and the University of California at Berkeley. After reaching the rank of Lieutenant Colonel during World War II, Goddard came to Pennsylvania where he took a job at Mont Alto Forestry School and later at Penn State Main Campus
Pennsylvania State University
The Pennsylvania State University, commonly referred to as Penn State or PSU, is a public research university with campuses and facilities throughout the state of Pennsylvania, United States. Founded in 1855, the university has a threefold mission of teaching, research, and public service...
before he was appointed Secretary of the Pennsylvania Bureau of Forests and Waters, a forerunner of the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources , established on July 1, 1995, is the agency in the U.S. State of Pennsylvania responsible for maintaining and preserving the state's 117 state parks and 20 state forests; providing information on the state's natural resources; and...
. Upon taking his position with the state, Goddard set about completing his goal of having a state park
State park
State parks are parks or other protected areas managed at the federated state level within those nations which use "state" as a political subdivision. State parks are typically established by a state to preserve a location on account of its natural beauty, historic interest, or recreational...
within 25 miles (40.2 km) of every resident of Pennsylvania. When Goddard retired in 1979, after 24 years working for the state parks, he had helped to add 45 state parks and over 130000 acres (52,609.2 ha) of state park land to the Pennsylvania State Park system.
Bird watching
A wide variety of habitatsHabitat (ecology)
A habitat is an ecological or environmental area that is inhabited by a particular species of animal, plant or other type of organism...
at Maurice K. Goddard State Park attracts a wide variety of birds. Bald Eagle
Bald Eagle
The Bald Eagle is a bird of prey found in North America. It is the national bird and symbol of the United States of America. This sea eagle has two known sub-species and forms a species pair with the White-tailed Eagle...
s and osprey
Osprey
The Osprey , sometimes known as the sea hawk or fish eagle, is a diurnal, fish-eating bird of prey. It is a large raptor, reaching more than in length and across the wings...
can be seen flying over Lake Wilhelm as they scan the waters for fish. The old fields and forests are home to woodcock
Woodcock
The woodcocks are a group of seven or eight very similar living species of wading birds in the genus Scolopax. Only two woodcocks are widespread, the others being localized island endemics. Most are found in the Northern Hemisphere but a few range into Wallacea...
s, nighthawk
Nighthawk
A nighthawk is a nocturnal bird of the subfamily Chordeilinae, within the nightjar family, Caprimulgidae. Nighthawks are medium-sized New World birds, with long wings, short legs, and very short bills. They usually nest on the ground. They feed on flying insects. The Least Nighthawk, at and ,...
s, snipe
Snipe
A snipe is any of about 25 wading bird species in three genera in the family Scolopacidae. They are characterized by a very long, slender bill and crypsis plumage. The Gallinago snipes have a nearly worldwide distribution, the Lymnocryptes Jack Snipe is restricted to Asia and Europe and the...
s, and a variety of warbler
Warbler
There are a number of Passeriformes called "warblers". They are not particularly closely related, but share some characteristics, such as being fairly small, vocal and insectivorous....
s. Migrating waterfowl like the loon
Loon
The loons or divers are a group of aquatic birds found in many parts of North America and northern Eurasia...
, common teal
Common Teal
The Eurasian Teal or Common Teal is a common and widespread duck which breeds in temperate Eurasia and migrates south in winter. The Eurasian Teal is often called simply the Teal due to being the only one of these small dabbling ducks in much of its range...
, goldeneye
Goldeneye (duck)
Goldeneye are small tree-hole nesting northern hemisphere seaducks belonging to the genus Bucephala. Their plumage is black and white, and they eat fish, crustaceans and other marine life....
, merganser, and bufflehead
Bufflehead
The Bufflehead is a small American sea duck of the genus Bucephala, the goldeneyes. This species was first described by Linnaeus in his Systema naturae in 1758 as Anas albeola.-Description:...
stop by Lake Wilhelm in the spring and fall. Woodpecker
Woodpecker
Woodpeckers are near passerine birds of the order Piciformes. They are one subfamily in the family Picidae, which also includes the piculets and wrynecks. They are found worldwide and include about 180 species....
s including the Pileated Woodpecker
Pileated Woodpecker
The Pileated Woodpecker is a very large North American woodpecker, almost crow-sized, inhabiting deciduous forests in eastern North America, the Great Lakes, the boreal forests of Canada, and parts of the Pacific coast. It is also the largest woodpecker in America.Adults are long, and weigh...
live in the woods of the park. Bluebird
Bluebird
The bluebirds are a group of medium-sized, mostly insectivorous or omnivorous birds in the genus Sialia of the thrush family . Bluebirds are one of the few thrush genera in the Americas. They have blue, or blue and red, plumage...
s and purple martin
Purple Martin
The Purple Martin is the largest North American swallow. These aerial acrobats have speed and agility in flight, and when approaching their housing, will dive from the sky at great speeds with their wings tucked.-Description and taxonomy:...
s make their homes in the old fields and meadow
Meadow
A meadow is a field vegetated primarily by grass and other non-woody plants . The term is from Old English mædwe. In agriculture a meadow is grassland which is not grazed by domestic livestock but rather allowed to grow unchecked in order to make hay...
s of Maurice K. Goddard State Park.
Lake Wilhelm
Lake Wilhelm is a warm water fishery it lies partly within Maurice K. Goddard State Park and partly within the adjoining game lands. The common game fish found in the lake are largemouthLargemouth bass
The largemouth bass is a species of black bass in the sunfish family native to North America . It is also known as widemouth bass, bigmouth, black bass, bucketmouth, Potter's fish, Florida bass, Florida largemouth, green bass, green trout, linesides, Oswego bass, southern largemouth...
and smallmouth bass
Smallmouth bass
The smallmouth bass is a species of freshwater fish in the sunfish family of the order Perciformes. It is the type species of its genus...
, perch
Perch
Perch is a common name for fish of the genus Perca, freshwater gamefish belonging to the family Percidae. The perch, of which there are three species in different geographical areas, lend their name to a large order of vertebrates: the Perciformes, from the Greek perke meaning spotted, and the...
, crappie
Crappie
Crappie is a genus of freshwater fish in the sunfish family of order Perciformes. The type species is P. annularis, the white crappie...
, bluegill
Bluegill
The Bluegill is a species of freshwater fish sometimes referred to as bream, brim, or copper nose. It is a member of the sunfish family Centrarchidae of the order Perciformes.-Range and distribution:...
, catfish
Catfish
Catfishes are a diverse group of ray-finned fish. Named for their prominent barbels, which resemble a cat's whiskers, catfish range in size and behavior from the heaviest and longest, the Mekong giant catfish from Southeast Asia and the second longest, the wels catfish of Eurasia, to detritivores...
, walleye
Walleye
Walleye is a freshwater perciform fish native to most of Canada and to the northern United States. It is a North American close relative of the European pikeperch...
, northern pike
Northern Pike
The northern pike , is a species of carnivorous fish of the genus Esox...
and muskellunge
Muskellunge
A muskellunge , also known as a muskelunge, muscallonge, milliganong, or maskinonge , is a large, relatively uncommon freshwater fish of North America. Muskellunge are the largest member of the pike family, Esocidae...
. All fishermen are expected to follow the rules and regulations of the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission
Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission
The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission is the state agency responsible for the regulation of all fishing and boating in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania...
. Five natural gas
Natural gas
Natural gas is a naturally occurring gas mixture consisting primarily of methane, typically with 0–20% higher hydrocarbons . It is found associated with other hydrocarbon fuel, in coal beds, as methane clathrates, and is an important fuel source and a major feedstock for fertilizers.Most natural...
wells have been drilled around Lake Wilhelm as of May 2009, with up to 15 more to follow. The state does not own the mineral rights
Mineral rights
- Mineral estate :Ownership of mineral rights is an estate in real property. Technically it is known as a mineral estate and often referred to as mineral rights...
under much of the park, but did work with the driller to minimize the impact of the wells on recreational uses of the park.
The portions of Lake Wilhelm that are within Maurice K. Goddard State Park are open to watercraft up to 20 hp. There is a 241 space marina
Marina
A marina is a dock or basin with moorings and supplies for yachts and small boats.A marina differs from a port in that a marina does not handle large passenger ships or cargo from freighters....
and a 48 space dry land mooring area that is open from May 1 to October 31. The marina has an ample parking lot for cars and trucks with trailers. There are four boat launches, a marina building and a fueling station. Rowboats, peddle boats, canoe
Canoe
A canoe or Canadian canoe is a small narrow boat, typically human-powered, though it may also be powered by sails or small electric or gas motors. Canoes are usually pointed at both bow and stern and are normally open on top, but can be decked over A canoe (North American English) or Canadian...
s and kayak
Kayak
A kayak is a small, relatively narrow, human-powered boat primarily designed to be manually propelled by means of a double blade paddle.The traditional kayak has a covered deck and one or more cockpits, each seating one paddler...
s are available to rent. Only non-powered boats are permitted in the portions of the lake that are within the state game land boundaries. All vessels must have a current registration from any state or a launch permit from the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission
Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission
The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission is the state agency responsible for the regulation of all fishing and boating in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania...
.
Hunting
There are over 1155 acres (467.4 ha) that open to huntingHunting
Hunting is the practice of pursuing any living thing, usually wildlife, for food, recreation, or trade. In present-day use, the term refers to lawful hunting, as distinguished from poaching, which is the killing, trapping or capture of the hunted species contrary to applicable law...
at Maurice K. Goddard State Park. Hunters are expected to follow the rules and regulations of the Pennsylvania Game Commission
Pennsylvania Game Commission
The Pennsylvania Game Commission is the state agency responsible for wildlife conservation and management in Pennsylvania in the United States...
. The common game species are waterfowl and White-tailed Deer
White-tailed Deer
The white-tailed deer , also known as the Virginia deer or simply as the whitetail, is a medium-sized deer native to the United States , Canada, Mexico, Central America, and South America as far south as Peru...
. The hunting of Groundhog
Groundhog
The groundhog , also known as a woodchuck, whistle-pig, or in some areas as a land-beaver, is a rodent of the family Sciuridae, belonging to the group of large ground squirrels known as marmots. Other marmots, such as the yellow-bellied and hoary marmots, live in rocky and mountainous areas, but...
s is prohibited. Hunters may gain access to the nearby state game lands by entering through the park.
Winter activities
Maurice K. Goddard State Park is open during the winter months for ice fishingIce fishing
Ice fishing is the practice of catching fish with lines and fish hooks or spears through an opening in the ice on a frozen body of water. Ice anglers may sit on the stool in the open on a frozen lake, or in a heated cabin on the ice, some with bunks and amenities.-Locations:It is a popular pastime...
, ice boat
Ice boat
An ice boat is a boat or purpose-built framework similar in functional design to a sail boat but fitted with skis or runners and designed to run over ice instead of through water. Ice yachting is the sport of sailing and racing iceboats. Sailable ice is known in the sport as "hard water" versus...
ing, ice skating
Ice skating
Ice skating is moving on ice by using ice skates. It can be done for a variety of reasons, including leisure, traveling, and various sports. Ice skating occurs both on specially prepared indoor and outdoor tracks, as well as on naturally occurring bodies of frozen water, such as lakes and...
, sledding and tobogganing, cross-country skiing
Cross-country skiing
Cross-country skiing is a winter sport in which participants propel themselves across snow-covered terrain using skis and poles...
and snowmobiling
Snowmobile
A snowmobile, also known in some places as a snowmachine, or sled,is a land vehicle for winter travel on snow. Designed to be operated on snow and ice, they require no road or trail. Design variations enable some machines to operate in deep snow or forests; most are used on open terrain, including...
.
Friends Of Goddard
The Friends of Goddard State Park partner with Goddard State Park to help conserve the natural beauty of the areas within and around Goddard State Park by educating and introducing people to the immense world of nature and the facilities available to them.Friends of Goddard State Park also known as "FroG" is a sub-chapter of the Pennsylvania Parks and Forest Foundation and a non-profit 501(3)c organization.
Nearby state parks
The following state parks are within 30 miles (48.3 km) of Maurice K. Goddard State Park:- Jennings Environmental Education CenterJennings Environmental Education CenterJennings Environmental Education Center is a Pennsylvania state park in Brady Township, Butler County, Pennsylvania in the United States. It is north of Butler on Pennsylvania Route 528. The center contains a relict prairie of , the only publicly protected prairie ecosystem in Pennsylvania...
(Butler CountyButler County, Pennsylvania-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 174,083 people, 65,862 households, and 46,827 families residing in the county. The population density was 221 people per square mile . There were 69,868 housing units at an average density of 89 per square mile...
) - Oil Creek State ParkOil Creek State ParkOil Creek State Park is Pennsylvania state park on in Cherrytree, Cornplanter and Oil Creek Township Townships, Venango County, Pennsylvania in the United States. The park is adjacent to Drake Well Museum, the site of the first successful oil well in the United States, that was drilled under the...
(Venango CountyVenango County, PennsylvaniaVenango County is a county located in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. As of the 2010 census, the population was 54,984. Its county seat is Franklin.-History:Venango County was created on March 12, 1800 from parts of Allegheny and Lycoming Counties...
) - Pymatuning State Park (Pennsylvania) (Crawford CountyCrawford County, PennsylvaniaCrawford County is a county located in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. As of 2010, the population was 88,765.Crawford County was created on March 12, 1800, from part of Allegheny County and named for Colonel William Crawford...
) - Pymatuning State Park (Ohio)Pymatuning State Park (Ohio)Pymatuning State Park is a 3512 acres Ohio state park near Andover, Ashtabula County, Ohio in the United States. Pymatuning State Park contains 1,407 acres of Pymatuning Lake, one-quarter of which is in Ohio and three-quarters of which is in Pennsylvania...
(Ashtabula CountyAshtabula County, OhioAshtabula County is the northeasternmost county in the state of Ohio. As of 2010, the population was 101,497, its county seat is Jefferson. The county is named for a Native American word meaning "river of many fish"....
)