Cook Forest long on projects, short on funds

Like many other state parks in Pennsylvania, Cook Forest is long on projects but short on funds.

Park manager Ryan Borcz said Thursday many of the projects aren’t visible. He pointed to an old terracotta pipe that ran along Tom’s Run that had to be repaired, and he said water had infiltrated into the pipe relating a problem.

“We have addressed part of it but not all of it,” Borcz said.

Borcz said the infrastructure at the park is a key concern. Several bridges have been closed at Cook Forest due to the deterioration.

Assistant park manager Jessica Fisher said the Bureau of Parks is also addressing old infrastructure. Borcz said at Cook Forest that means the removal of the old park office in “one or two years.”

The old office was flooded several years ago, and a new office built just above the old office. Borcz said many visitors use the area to access the Clarion River so a restroom will be maintained.

In looking at the results of a survey designed for future park development, Borcz said he would like to see the unused swimming pool at the Sawmill Center removed, “We could repurpose the building because it has restrooms and showers but the rest of the area could become a group camping area,” said Borcz. The pool has not been opened since 2009.

Fisher said the yurts at Clear Creek are aging and the canvas will need to be replaced. Borcz said the location might be a good spot for a new Parks Bureau initiative – tree houses.

The park will also be improving handicapped access at the rustic cabins, and provisions will also be made for service dogs.

In 2021, the Ridge campground road will be paved and a project is planned to improve water service to the River cabins. “That will improve pressure to fire hydrants,” said Borcz.

“We would like to have additional boat launches,” said Fisher. “Boating is on the rise but we are limited where we can put boat launches.”

There are no plans at this time to re-open the Bed and Breakfast on River Road. The old inn was renovated by the state several years and was opened under a lease agreement. The state is currently using the facility on a limited basis.

“It is a beautiful building and we are not letting it go,” said Borcz. “I am open to ideas.”

“Our biggest concerns are resource management and climate change projects,” said Borcz. “We don’t have many tools in our toolbox for these projects.

“We are competing with 121 other parks in the system,” said Borcz. “There is only so much money to go around.”