Click this link to find:

FROG on Facebook

Park Activities

(from DCNR Calendar of Events) 

Saturday, March 29, 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM

Vernal Pool Probe

Join the park naturalist for a family-friendly investigation of the park’s vernal pools. We will discover who calls these temporary pools home. We will meet at the dam and hike a half mile up the Goddard-McKeever trail to the site. 

This hike is steep and considered more difficult hiking. For those that need accommodation, please contact Megan McDowell at megmcdowel@pa.gov or calling the park office, (724)253-4833. Please wear study footwear and dress to get wet.

 

Sunday, March 30, 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM

A Walk on Walker Run

Celebrate National Take a Walk in the Park Day with the park naturalist. This 2.25-mile walk will be a loop that combines part of the Goddard-McKeever Trail, and the John C. Oliver Multi-Purpose Trail. As we walk along, we will enjoy the fresh spring air to help shake off the winter blues. Please meet at Launch 1 and wear study footwear, dress for the weather, and bring water.

For additional information about park programs, please call the office at (724) 253-4833.

 

Saturday, April 5, 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM

Eggs-plorers

Calling all explorers, or should I say eggs-plorers! Easter is right around the corner, but instead of an Easter egg hunt, celebrate Easter by exploring eggs found in nature. 

We will also explore nests and test out your bird carpentry skills by making your own nest. There will be a game, craft, and sing-a-long. This program is for families with young children. Registration is required; please call the office at (724) 253-4833 or email megmcdowel@pa.gov.

 

Friday, April 11, 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM

Woodcock Walk

Come learn about the wacky bird called the American Woodcock. While it might answer to many different names we call it, such as the timberdoodle, bog sucker, mud snipe, night partridge, or big eye, they truly only answer to one call… the peent!

After you learn about their unique habitat needs with the park naturalist and the efforts the park is trying to do to help them thrive, we will try our luck at finding one. If conditions are perfect, as the sun is going down, the woodcocks should be going up into the sky for their mating sky dance, a spectacular sight.

Please dress for the weather, wear sturdy footwear, and bring binoculars if you have them.

 

Saturday, April 12, 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM

Wings Over Wilhelm

Calling all birders! Come out to the second annual bird festival at Maurice K. Goddard State Park. This family-friendly event will showcase local bird-loving organizations that can help your birding with tools and resources for both beginner and advanced birders. Learn how you can support birds in northwest PA and in your own backyard.

There will be activities, giveaways, informational tables, bird walk, and three 45-minute breakout sessions featuring eagles, turkeys, and the PA Bird Atlas. To end the event, Tamarack Wildlife Center will be bringing their ambassadors birds for an educational program: All About Owls.

To help support the wonderful efforts of Tamarack donations of bleach, paper towels, and Dawn dish soap will be accepted. Coffee and light refreshments will be provided and a concession lunch (hotdogs, hamburgers, chili, etc.) supporting Boy Scout Troop #51, Greenville.

 

Sunday, April 13, 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM

Introduction to Grafting

Once a commonplace agricultural skill, grafting – the ancient technique of cloning trees – is rising in popularity as individuals rediscover the value of backyard fruit trees as well as fruit diversity. Participants will not only learn the basics of the whip and tongue graft, but also have the opportunity to graft and take home two apple trees.

All tools and materials will be provided. Cost will be $10 per participant to help cover the cost of the plant material. We will be outdoors, so be sure to dress for the weather. Space is limited and registration is required; please call the park office at (724) 253-4833 or email megmcdowel@pa.gov.

 

 

 

Contacts:

FROG Contact

Webmaster

frog logo

 

 

 

 

 

Maurice K. Goddard State Park

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.

Lake Wilhelm marina at 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.

 

hawk

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 :

 

Young reenactors cross wooden swords at the Pioneer Frolic

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

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

 

bike trail

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

 

car show

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

 

Music at the Marina

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