For a slideshow of park photos--including Pioneer Frolic reenactors, scenery, and wildflowers--click on "Photos" in the navigation bar at the top of this page.
Maurice K. Goddard State Park
Mercer County boasts a 2,800 - acre wonder — the lake, wetlands, fields and forests of Maurice K. Goddard State Park.
Named for the father of Pennsylvania’s state park system, Goddard is a perfect place for biking, fishing, boating, and picnicking. It’s also close to hunting opportunities at Gamelands 270 and hands-on learning at the McKeever Environmental Education Center.
Founded in 2002, the Friends of Goddard (or FROG) assist the park in many ways: They raise funds for special projects, help coordinate cleanups, and organize the annual Pioneer Frolic the last weekend in June. (The Frolic is a two-day colonial festival complete with reenactments, live music, children’s games, crafts, food, and more.) Fueled by 30 enthusiastic members, FROG's accomplishments include outreach activities at Venango County’s annual Earth Day event and donation of a shelter for the park’s 12-mile paved bike trail.
When in Northwestern Pennsylvania, be sure to visit Maurice K. Goddard and thank all the volunteers for their outstanding efforts to enhance and promote this gem of a state park. FROG membership is free. .
The Friends of Goddard are a partner group with the Pennsylvania Parks and Forest Foundation (PPFF).