Construction Advances at Bald Eagle State Park Nature Inn; Roadway, Other Closures Likely

HARRISBURG, Pa., Feb. 11 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — The closure of at least one road and restroom facilities at Bald Eagle State Park, Centre County, is likely later this month as work progresses on the Pennsylvania state park system’s first nature inn, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources officials announced today.

“Though dependent on the weather, construction work for this innovative and exciting project remains on track, but park visitors are reminded the work will require some changes,” said Bureau of State Parks Director John W. Norbeck. “As most construction activity will be confined to Skyline Drive, that roadway and the restrooms along it are likely to be closed to the public later this month.”

When weather permits, clearing and other site work has been undertaken at the park by the Leonard S. Fiore Inc. contracting firm of Altoona. Nature inn construction is expected to be completed by spring 2010.

The facility will provide a unique, modern inn setting with an outdoor recreation and stewardship focus; make maximum use of green building technologies; and serve as a premier interpretive facility for bird watching.

“Temporary inconvenience will yield to permanent improvement at Bald Eagle as the nature inn is expected to draw an even larger legion of birders and nature enthusiasts to this state park serving as a ‘welcome mat’ to the Pennsylvania Wilds to its north,” said Norbeck.

Located near Howard, Bald Eagle State Park is known across the state for it woodcock mating displays. Also, every spring warblers, flycatchers and swallows, display courtship rituals while searching for nesting spots in the park. Boaters and beach goers commonly see herons, gulls, geese and osprey around the lake. In the fall, migrating mergansers, cormorants, and buffleheads frequent the park’s 1,730-acre Foster Joseph Sayers Reservoir.

Partnerships with conservation and artisan groups are being pursued to maximize the inn’s educational and community benefits. In cooperation with Audubon Pennsylvania, guest rooms will feature limited edition prints of John James Audubon’s paintings of birds found in Pennsylvania.

Green features of the 18,500-square-foot, 16-room building will include: a high efficiency geothermal heating and cooling system; solar collectors to heat water for showers and laundry; rainwater will be collected and used for flushing toilets; low-water-use plumbing fixtures and high efficiency lighting throughout; Pennsylvania hardwoods from forests certified as using sustainable forestry for structure, finishes and furnishings; and direct access to hiking and biking trails to enable and encourage healthy interaction with park resources.

The inn will feature works by artisans participating in the Pennsylvania Wilds Artisans Workgroup that was created in the north central region of the state. Reservations to stay at the inn will be made through the existing state park reservation system (www.visitPAParks.com).

For more information about Bald Eagle or other state parks, visit www.dcnr.state.pa.us.

    CONTACT:  Terry Brady
    (717) 772-9101

SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources