Pennsylvania opens its first subterranean state park

Pennsylvania has added its 125th state park with the opening of Laurel Caverns State Park, the first subterranean state park in the state’s history.Spanning 435 acres and centered around the largest and deepest cave in Pennsylvania, Laurel Caverns in Fayette County was designated to become a state park last year. It has been a public attraction and tourist destination since the 1960s.Unlike many other caves, this one was not formed by erosion. The passages and unique crevices in the rock walls were created by decaying calcium within the sandstone.To mark its official state park designation, Gov. Josh Shapiro, alongside DNCR Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn, went underground to check it out for themselves.”This is a place in Pennsylvania’s landscape that can turn on a light in a young person, turn on that awe button that will cause curiosity and learning, that will cause commitment to place, that will cause interest in sharing,” Dunn said.WGAL put state parks in focus Sunday morning with the newest episode of its public affairs program examining the parks, their unique features, and how visitors can make reservations.

Pennsylvania has added its 125th state park with the opening of Laurel Caverns State Park, the first subterranean state park in the state’s history.

Spanning 435 acres and centered around the largest and deepest cave in Pennsylvania, Laurel Caverns in Fayette County was designated to become a state park last year. It has been a public attraction and tourist destination since the 1960s.

Unlike many other caves, this one was not formed by erosion. The passages and unique crevices in the rock walls were created by decaying calcium within the sandstone.

To mark its official state park designation, Gov. Josh Shapiro, alongside DNCR Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn, went underground to check it out for themselves.

“This is a place in Pennsylvania’s landscape that can turn on a light in a young person, turn on that awe button that will cause curiosity and learning, that will cause commitment to place, that will cause interest in sharing,” Dunn said.

WGAL put state parks in focus Sunday morning with the newest episode of its public affairs program examining the parks, their unique features, and how visitors can make reservations.