HEADLINES:
Salt Springs Park To Continue Operations

Salt Springs Park To Continue Operations
Submitted By L. Carter Anderson

Despite the economic conditions affecting state parks in Pennsylvania, Salt Springs will continue to welcome visitors throughout the year. The Friends of Salt Springs Park, Inc., which operates the park under contract with the PA Bureau of State Parks, will continue operations in as normal a manner as possible.

Due to the current economic downturn and the extreme budget shortfall in Harrisburg, the Department of Conservation & Natural Resources through its Bureau of State Parks has published a list of state parks which may, or probably will, be “closed” for the summer. This list includes Salt Springs State Park in Franklin Forks, Susquehanna County. However “closed” does not mean that visitors will be barred from the park.

Salt Springs is unique in Pennsylvania, in that it is the only state park which is being operated by a local non-profit organization. The Friends of Salt Springs Park, Inc. receives no operational funding from the state, but is supported entirely by local membership and volunteers, supplemented by grants where they can be obtained. Thus the operations of the Friends will not be affected by “closure” of state parks. During the “closure” this summer, the state will be unable to offer certain support services which are ordinarily available, such as rangers who would be sent from Lackawanna State Park in the event of an emergency. The Friends will rely on State Police and other local emergency services, should they be needed.

The Friends are looking forward to a busy and enjoyable 2009 season, full of projects - educational, historical, and recreational - to enrich the lives of our people. Our website, www.friendsofsaltspringspark.org, will provide updates, schedules, and current events. Salt Springs is a community resource whose importance is greater than ever in these times.

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