French Creek State Park

Geobox Protected Area
name = French Creek State Park
native_name =
other_name =
other_name1 =
category_local = Pennsylvania State Park
category_iucn = III

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image_caption = View of Hopewell Lake at French Creek State Park
etymology_type = Named for
etymology = French Creek
country = United States
state = Pennsylvania
region_type = Counties
region = Berks
region1 = Chester
district_type = Townships
district = North Coventry
district1 = Robeson
district2 = Union
district3 = Warwick
city =
city1 =
location =
lat_d = 40
lat_m = 12
lat_s = 42
lat_NS = N
long_d = 75
long_m = 47
long_s = 31
long_EW = W
location_note = cite web
url=Gnis3|1175223
title=French Creek State Park
date = August 2 1979
work=Geographic Names Information System
publisher=United States Geological Survey
accessdate=2008-03-04]
elevation_imperial = 781
elevation_round = 1
elevation_note =
area_unit = acre
area_imperial = 7526
area_round = 1
area_note = cite web | url = http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/pa-dcnr-acquires-45-acre-tract-adjoining-french-creek-state-park,341561.shtml | title = PA DCNR Acquires 45-Acre Tract Adjoining French Creek State Park | accessdate = 2008-04-09 | publisher = The Earth Times]
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established_type =
established = 1946
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management_body = Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
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visitation = over 883,000
visitation_note =
visitation_year =2007
free_type = Nearest city
free = Reading, Pennsylvania
free1_type =
free1 =


map_caption = Location of French Creek State Park in Pennsylvania
map_locator = Pennsylvania
map_first =
website = [http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/STATEPARKS/PARKS/frenchcreek.aspx French Creek State Park]

French Creek State Park is a convert|7526|acre|km2|2|adj=on Pennsylvania State Park in North Coventry and Warwick Townships in Chester County and Robeson and Union Townships in Berks County, Pennsylvania in the [United States. It straddles northern Chester County and southern Berks County along French Creek. The park is the home of two lakes: Hopewell Lake, a convert|68|acre|km2|2|adj=on warm water lake, and Scotts Run Lake, a convert|22|acre|km2|2|adj=on cold water lake. The state record smallmouth bass was caught in Scotts Run Lake. There are extensive forests, and almost convert|40|mi|1 of hiking and equestrian trails. The park is also friendly to mountain bikers, having some renowned technical trails. Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site, which features a cold blast furnace restored to its 1830s appearance, is surrounded by the park. The Six Penny Day Use Area and Group Camp are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. French Creek State Park is located off of Pennsylvania Route 345 to the south of Birdsboro.

History

The land in and surrounding French Creek State Park was once dominated by old growth forests of American chestnut. These trees were cleared, beginning in 1771, and used to make charcoal to feed the iron furnace at nearby Hopewell Furnace. The forests were allowed to regrow and were cleared again approximately every twenty-five years. The furnace was in operation for 112 years until 1883. The damage caused by the colliers had a long-lasting effect on the ecology of this section of southeastern Pennsylvania. The thickly wooded hillsides that once provided a habitat for a wide variety of woodland creatures were stripped bare. But the forest slowly began to grow back.cite web
url = http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/parks/frenchcreek_history.aspx
title = French Creek State Park - History
accessdate = 2007-01-12
publisher = Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources ]

The second growth forests that stand today at French Creek State Park are made up of a mixture of oak, maple and other mostly hardwood trees. The land was reclaimed by the efforts of the young men of the Civilian Conservation Corps created during the Great Depression by President Franklin D. Roosevelt to offset unemployment. The CCC worked to clear the forests and streams of brush. They also built many of the facilities still in use today at the park, including several tent camping areas, two small dams and lakes, two group camps, picnic areas, and extensive roads and trails throughout the park. They also began the restoration of the historic Hopewell Furnace.cite web
url = http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/history/historycccyears.aspx
title = Pennsylvania State Parks: The CCC Years
accessdate = 2006-11-28
publisher = Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources ]

Recreation

Hunting and fishing

Hunting is permitted on over convert|6000|acre|km2|2 of French Creek State Park. Hunters are expected to follow the rules and regulations of the Pennsylvania Game Commission. The common game species are pheasants, squirrels, turkeys, white-tailed deer, and rabbits. The hunting of groundhogs is not permitted at the park.cite web
url = http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/parks/frenchcreek.aspx
title = French Creek State Park
accessdate = 2007-01-12
publisher = Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources ]

The lakes at French Creek State Park offer two varieties of fishing. Scotts Run Lake is a cold water fishery. It is stocked with trout by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission. Hopewell Lake is a warm water fishery. The common game fish caught in the lake are muskellunge, walleye, northern pike, chain pickerel and largemouth and smallmouth bass. Both lakes are open to ice fishing, weather permitting.

Boating and swimming

Gas powered boats are prohibited in the lakes of French Creek State Park. All non powered and electric powered boats must have a current registration with any state or a launch permit for the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission.

The lakes are not open to swimming. A pool at nearby Hopewell Lake is open daily from 11:00am until 7:00pm from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend.

Disc golf and orienteering

Two disc golf courses are open year round at the park. Both courses wind through the woods near Hopewell Lake. Score cards and maps of the courses are available at the park.

French Creek State Park is considered by some as the "Orienteering Capital of North America". A permanent course is set up at the park. The goal is to find markers within the park by using a map and a compass. Maps are available at the park office.

Trails

French Creek State Park has more than convert|30|mi|2 of trails that are open to hiking and in some places horseback riding, mountain biking, and cross country skiing.cite web
url = http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/parks/frenchcreek_trails.aspx
title = French Creek State Park - Trails
accessdate = 2007-01-12
publisher = Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources ]

*Boone Trail is a convert|6|mi|2|adj=on "moderate" hiking trail that is marked with blue blazes. This trail makes a loop through the park. It is closed to mountain biking in the vicinity of Hopewell Lake.

*Buzzards Trail is a convert|3|mi|2|adj=on "moderate" hiking trail. This trail follows the banks of Baptism Creek.

*Horse Shoe Trail is a convert|130|mi|2|adj=on hiking and horseback trail that passes through French Creek State Park. convert|8|mi|2 of the trail are in the park. Horseshoe Trail begins at Valley Forge National Historic Park and ends at the Appalachian Trail near Harrisburg.

*Kalmia Trail is a convert|1|mi|2|adj=on "moderate" hiking trail. The trail passes through a mature forest that is scattered with mountain laurel ("Kalmia latifolia").

*Lenape Trail, named for the Lenape tribe that once inhabited the area, is a convert|5.5|mi|2|adj=on "moderate" hiking trail. It is also a loop trail.

*Mill Creek Trail is a convert|6|mi|2|adj=on "difficult" trail. The trailhead is at Pennsylvania Route 345 and Shed Road. It is a backcountry trail and does not cross any other paved roads.

*Raccoon Trail is a convert|1.7|mi|2|adj=on "moderate" trail. It connects Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site with French Creek State Park.

*Six Penny Trail is a convert|3|mi|2|adj=on "moderate" hiking trail. It is a loop trail, set off in the woods and is connected to the campground contact station by a short connector trail.

*Turtle Trail is a convert|3.6|mi|2|adj=on trail that follows the western portions of French Creek.

taying overnight

Visitors to the park have three options for overnight accommodations. There are 201 wooded and modern sites for tents or campers. This campground has a centrally located shower and toilet facility. Ten modern cabins are available to rent. Each cabin can sleep up to six with electric heat, a kitchen and private bathroom. Group cabin camping, in cabins built by the Civilian Conservation Corps, is available to two separate locations. The facilities include dining halls, central washhouses, and cabins for campers and staff.

Nearby state parks

The following state parks are within convert|30|mi|0 of French Creek State Park: [cite map |scale = 1:65,000| publisher= Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, Bureau of Planning and Research, Geographic Information Division
url= ftp://ftp.dot.state.pa.us/public/pdf/BPR_pdf_files/Maps/GHS/Roadnames/berks_GHSN.PDF
title= 2007 General Highway Map Berks County Pennsylvania
accessdate= 2007-07-27 "Note: shows French Creek State Park"] cite web
last = Michels
first = Chris
year = 1997
url = http://www2.nau.edu/~cvm/latlongdist.html
title = Latitude/Longitude Distance Calculation
publisher = Northern Arizona University
accessdate = 2008-04-20] [cite map |scale = 1:65,000| publisher= Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, Bureau of Planning and Research, Geographic Information Division
url= ftp://ftp.dot.state.pa.us/public/pdf/BPR_pdf_files/Maps/GHS/Roadnames/chester_GHSN.PDF
title= 2007 General Highway Map Chester County Pennsylvania
accessdate= 2007-07-27 "Note: shows French Creek State Park"]
*Evansburg State Park (Montgomery County)
*Fort Washington State Park (Montgomery County)
*Marsh Creek State Park (Chester County)
*Nolde Forest Environmental Education Center (Berks County)
*Norristown Farm Park (Montgomery County)
*Ridley Creek State Park (Delaware County)

References

External links

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