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Saturday, May 3, 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM

Nature's Little Heroes

Earth Day has come and gone, but here at the park we believe everyday is Earth Day. Earth is sending out a ‘Nature Call’ and we need some little superheroes to help.

Come join the park naturalist for an engaging story that will prepare you to save the Earth. Then we will head out on a 0.7-mile quest to learn about the world around us. After the hike, we will make wildflower seed paper out of recycled materials. Registration is required; please call the office at (724) 253-4833 or email megmcdowel@pa.gov.

 

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Friday, May 9, 6:00 PM to 8:30 PM

Biking the Bloom

Join the park naturalist for an evening bike ride on the John C. Oliver Multi-Purpose Loop Trail. In spring, this 12-mile loop bike trail is in full bloom with many different types of spring wildflowers guiding the way. As we ride around the lake with the spring air in our hair, we will make stops to talk about the flowers in bloom.

Please bring water and your own bike if you have one; if not, please let park staff know at registration if you need to borrow a park bike. Park bikes are limited. Helmets must be worn during the ride. Registration is required; please call the office to register at (724) 253-4833 or email megmcdowel@pa.gov.

 

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Saturday, May 10, 9:00 AM to 11:30 AM

Mother's Day Brunch and Hike

Moms, do you want to have brunch cooked for you and a little time to yourself? Come enjoy a peaceful morning with park staff for a brunch and hike.

Learn how to cook a quiche outside with charcoal and a Dutch oven. Then, head out on a guided wildflower hike on Falling Run Nature Trail, a 0.7-mile, more difficult hiking trail. After you have worked up an appetite from your hike, enjoy a slice of freshly cooked quiche.

Please notify us of food allergies at registration. Wear sturdy footwear and dress for the weather. Pre-registration is required. Cost is $5, due the day of the event. To register, call the park office (724) 253-4833 or email megmcdowel@pa.gov.

 

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Saturday, May 17, 9:00 AM to 10:30 AM

Spring Wild Teas

Wake up and enjoy the morning and nature with some wild teas with the Park Naturalist at the Launch 3 pavilion. Nature has a lot to offer, including edible plants.

Some of these plants were used by our ancestors and many are still enjoyed today in herbal tea. Not only will you get to taste test the teas to find your favorite, but you will also learn how to make them, about the plants they came from, and collection practices/precautions. 

You may bring your own snack, maybe a crumpet or two, to enjoy with your tea. Please bring your own mug for sampling. Registration is required, please call the office to register at (724) 253-4833 or email megmcdowel@pa.gov.

 

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Saturday, May 17, 11:00 AM

Blessing of the Bikes

Join the Friends of Goddard State Park next to the marina pavilion for the annual blessing of the bikes. All bikes are welcome, including children's bicycles. Cake and coffee will be served after the blessing.

 

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Thursday, May 22, 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM

Paddle the Stumps

Join DCNR and the PA Game Commission at the Bachop/Creek Road launch for an evening paddle on the Game Lands side of the lake. We will paddle around the two islands and the ‘stumps’. Keep an eye to the sky for a passing osprey, eagle, or heron, but not for too long because watch out for the stumps! Or maybe that’s a beaver. 

Ages 12 and up. Under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. A kayak and gear will be provided, or you can bring your own. A limited number of kayaks are available. Life jackets are required to be worn. Registration also is required. Please call the office at (724) 253-4833 or email megmcdowel@pa.gov

 

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Friday, May 23, 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM

SMART Angler

Do you want to have some reel fun and be SMART? You can do so by going fishing with the park naturalist. We all want to have that great fishing story, but it’s even better if you fish SMART.

Learn what the acronym SMART stands for, practice your casting skills, and then try to reel in that big one from the lake. All materials will be provided, or you can bring your own. No fishing license is required. Registration is required, so please call the office at (724) 253-4833 or email megmcdowel@pa.gov.. Ages 12 and up. Under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

 

 

 

 

Contacts:

FROG Contact

Webmaster

• Goddard State Park
• Goddard Volunteers
• FROG Meetings
• Goddard Projects
• Goddard Photos
• Music at the Marina

 

 

 

 

To view a slideshow of park photos, click on "Goddard Photos" at the top of the page.

 

Mercer County boasts a 2,800 - acre wonder — the lake, wetlands, fields and forests of Maurice K. Goddard State Park.

The park marina basks under a summer sun.

 

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.

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 have organized the annual Pioneer Frolic—more recently called Country at the Crick—the last weekend in June, as well as Music at the Marina in August. FROG's accomplishments include donation of a shelter for the park’s 12-mile paved bike trail and of a playground for children at the marina.

 

A wildlife educator demonstrates the grasping power of a hawk.

 

FROG membership is free. Become a "friend" and get involved. Your help is needed with :

• wildlife inventories
• bluebird and purple martin nesting programs
• monitoring walking and bicycle trails
• developing ideas to improve the park
• the annual Music at the Marina
• litter clean-up
• historic research of the Sandy Creek Valley
• wildlife habitat improvements
• wildflower gardens and plant inventories

 

Young reenactors cross wooden swords at the Pioneer Frolic.

 

The Friends of Goddard State Park meet on the 3rd Wednesday of each month at 6:00 PM at the park office building. We are looking for people with all types of interests, including nearby landowners, boaters, birders, hunters, bikers, and others.The Friends of Goddard are a partner group with the Pennsylvania Parks and Forest Foundation (PPFF).

 

Milkweed and many other flowers grow wild at Goddard State Park.

 

The bike trail at Goddard State Park provides scenic views year-round.

 

Classic autos gleam at the Music at the Marina car show.

 

Children play in front of the stage at Music at the Marina.

 

Boaters enjoy a summer day at the lake.

 

Park visitors chat during a wagon ride.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The banner is adapted from an image by Louis Hall, it and the motorcycle photo by MarkB1000 as well as the kayak image courtesy of freeimages.com. Other photos are by Audrey Stallsmith.