PHILIPSBURG, Pa. – Governor Josh Shapiro and First Lady Lori Shapiro joined Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn at Black Moshannon State Park in Centre County to encourage travelers to visit Pennsylvania’s state parks this fall as trees reach peak color, showing once again that Pennsylvania is the Great American Getaway.
While at Black Moshannon State Park, Governor Shapiro and First Lady unveiled new viewfinders installed at nine state parks that help visitors who are colorblind see the vibrant colors of Pennsylvania’s spectacular fall foliage.
“Pennsylvania is the place to be in the fall, with more than two million acres of state park forests and woodlands offering visitors one of the most colorful, brilliant displays of foliage anywhere in the world,” said Governor Shapiro. “Within a few hours’ drive for over 70 million Americans, Pennsylvania is the Great American Getaway – and we want everyone to be able to enjoy everything we have to offer. That’s why our team at DCNR has installed new viewfinders at nine state parks to help people with red-green colorblindness experience the full splendor of fall in Pennsylvania.”
This summer, Governor Shapiro launched Pennsylvania’s state tourism brand — The Great American Getaway — showcasing all the Commonwealth has to offer as a premier weekend getaway destination with thousands of attractions. Outdoor recreation adds $17 billion to Pennsylvania’s economy annually, supporting 164,000 jobs. Two weeks ago, the Shapiro Administration launched a new fall travel campaign to lean into Pennsylvania’s premier position as the place to experience the very best of autumn – from unrivaled fall foliage and the nation’s most historical haunts to the season’s best scents and treats.
As a large state with more than 130 native tree species, residents and tourists alike have endless opportunities this time of year to see a wide array of colors in one of the longest and most varied displays of fall flora on earth. But those dazzling displays aren’t fully visible to people with colorblindness, who only see a fraction of the millions of hues and shades of colors seen by those with normal color vision. In Pennsylvania alone, an estimated one million residents are colorblind.
The lenses in the color-correcting viewfinders work by selectively filtering light to increase contrast to address symptoms of red-green color blindness.
“It is exciting to see firsthand the impact these color-correcting lenses can have, making time outdoors in the fall more awe-inspiring for many visitors,” said Secretary Dunn. “Expanding experiences for people who are colorblind is one way that DCNR is working to making its 124 state parks and 2.2-million acres of state forests safe and welcoming to all.”
Scott Kolesar lives with colorblindness and joined Governor Shapiro during today’s visit, recently used the viewfinders at Black Moshannon State Park and was moved at how they improved his fall foliage viewing experience.
“I don’t know what a color truly looks like, I guess most of the time. Over the years, I have learned color by object association and what color the object should be,” said Kolesar. “I must say even without much color yet during my visit this past weekend, the trees here at Black Moshannon popped out in my amazement, almost to the point there might have been a tear forming. My experience was one of a kid at Christmas. This is an amazing addition to an already wonderful park.”
“Black Moshannon State Park is 3,400 acres in size, with a 250-acre lake that sits at 2,000 feet above sea level. But today we are gathering here to highlight something else incredibly special and unique – our EnCroma Colorblind Viewfinder, which will soon be installed in 10 State Parks and Forests in Pennsylvania,” said Mathias Weinzen, Black Moshannon State Park Manager. “These viewfinders are to help those with a color deficiency be able to see all the beautiful colors that our Pennsylvania Wilds have to offer. This day is truly special as we move one step closer in becoming more welcoming to all.”
Color-correcting viewfinders are in place at:
- Bald Eagle State Park, Centre County
- Black Moshannon State Park, Centre County
- Colton Point State Park, Tioga County
- Cook Forest State Park, Clarion County
- Hyner View State Park, Clinton County
- Kettle Creek State Park, Clinton County
- Little Pine State Park, Lycoming County
- Leonard Harrison State Park, Tioga County
- Sinnemahoning State Park, Cameron and Potter counties
A tenth viewfinder will be installed in the Tiadaghton State Forest in Lycoming County.
More than $50,000 in contributions were made by visitors to the Pennsylvania Wilds to support the purchase and installation of the viewfinders. The Pennsylvania Wilds Center operates conservation gift shops at Kinzua Bridge and Leonard Harrison state parks, and at a trailhead in Marienville, Forest County, that allow shoppers to round up their purchases, with the donations supporting conservation and stewardship in the 12 ½ county northcentral region.
The money goes to the non-profit Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Foundation for projects on DCNR lands.
“Visitation to the Pennsylvania Wilds supports hundreds of small businesses across our highly rural region,” said Ta Enos, PA Wilds Center CEO. “The PA Wilds Center created this new sustainable revenue stream to support stewardship of and investment in important natural assets – it goes to the heart of our mission of marrying conservation and economic development, and to our genuine love for the outdoors. Many people who visit Pennsylvania state parks are thankful that they’re free, and many are willing to donate to help ensure these public lands are cared for and maintained for future generations.”
The Pennsylvania Wilds is one of the biggest blocks of green between New York City and Chicago with more than two million acres of breathtakingly beautiful public land.
“The Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Foundation is committed to ensuring a place and experience for everyone in the outdoors,” said Marci Mowery, President of the Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Foundation. “We were excited to work with the Pennsylvania Wilds Center and Pennsylvania state parks to bring the beauty of the land to all visitors.”
“It was great to join Governor Shapiro today at Black Moshannon State Park to highlight the natural beauty and economic impact of our state parks and forests this fall season. From the 53 miles of new trails in Rothrock State Forest, to the investments and upgraded facilities at Bald Eagle and Black Moshannon State Parks, public lands here in Centre County and across our commonwealth are not only a source of pride and enjoyment for residents but a key driver of tourism and economic development,” said Representative Paul Takac. “In fact, outdoor recreation contributes an estimated $17 billion to Pennsylvania’s economy every year. As a member of the House Tourism, Recreation, and Economic Development Committee — and as someone who truly loves spending time outdoors, especially this time of year — I believe it is vitally important that we continue to protect and invest in our natural resources, not only to be good stewards of the environment, but to foster economic growth and support our local communities.”
Fall foliage typically peaks for several weeks throughout October across Pennsylvania. DCNR shares weekly fall foliage reports updated each Thursday on its website. Find more information about state parks, forests and fall events on the DCNR website or follow the department on social media.