Evansburg State Park
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Evansburg State Park, Pennsylvania, USA | |
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| IUCN Category III (Natural Monument) | |
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| Location: | Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, USA |
| Nearest city: | Norristown, Pennsylvania |
| Coordinates: | |
| Area: | 3,349 acres (13.55 km²) |
| Established: | June 28, 1979 |
| Governing body: | Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources |
Evansburg State Park is a Pennsylvania state park located on 3,349 acres (13.55 km²) in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania in the United States. The park has a variety of habitats including forests, meadows, old fields, and farmland. The park offers a variety of recreational opportunities including picnicking, golf, ball fields, biking, hiking, hunting, horseback riding, and fishing. Evansburg State Park is near Collegeville and Norristown just off Pennsylvania Route 363.
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[edit] History
The land on which Evansburg State Park is located was originally part of a massive tract of land purchased from the Lenni Lenape by William Penn in 1684. The land was quickly settled according to Willam Penn's planned "Holy Experiment." The first settlers were Mennonites. They fled religious persecution in Europe for the religious freedom, promised by William Penn in his colony. The Mennonites cleared the land of its virgin forests and built farms, stores and mills that were powered by the waters of Skippack Creek. The area developed very rapidly and the Skippack Pike was constructed in 1714 to provide access to the markets of Philadelphia. The area in and surrounding Evansburg State Park remained largely rural until World War II. The growth of suburbs and industry forever changed the landscape of the Skippack Valley. Evansburg State Park was established in 1979 to protect the rural qualities of the area and to provide outdoor recreational opportunities for the people of southeastern Pennsylvania.
[edit] Recreation
[edit] Fishing and hunting
Skippack Creek is stocked with brown trout and rainbow trout; other fish in the creek include smallmouth bass, catfish, sucker, carp, panfish, and freshwater eel. All fishermen are expected to follow the rules and regulations of the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission.
About 1,000 acres (4.05 km²) of Evansburg State Park are open to hunting. Hunters are expected to follow the rules and regulations of the Pennsylvania Game Commission. The common game species are squirrels, pheasant, rabbits and white-tailed deer. The hunting of groundhogs is prohibited.
[edit] Golf
The golf course at Evansburg State Park is known as Skippack Golf Course. It is an 18-hole (6,007 yards (5,492.8 m)), par 70 golf course. course. I was designed by Herris & Benahia and opened in 1950. The course is managed by American Golf Corporation under contract with the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.
[edit] Trails
Evansburg State Park has 26 miles (41.84 km) of trails that are open to hiking, horse back riding, cross-country skiing, and mountain biking. The 6 miles (9.66 km) of hiking trails are all rated as easy trails and pass through a variety of habitats. A mountain bike trail (5 miles (8.05 km)) is open at the south end of the park. Bikers are prohibited from using the hiking and equestrian trails. They are permitted to ride on the park roads. Fifteen miles of horseback riding trails are open at Evansburg State Park. Riders are also permitted to use the shoulders of the roads of the park.
[edit] Nearby state parks
The following state parks are within 30 miles (48 km) of Evansburg State Park:
- Benjamin Rush State Park (Philadelphia County)
- Brandywine Creek State Park (Delaware)
- Bull's Island State Park (New Jersey)
- Delaware and Raritan Canal State Park (New Jersey)
- Delaware Canal State Park (Bucks and Northampton Counties)
- Fort Washington State Park (Montgomery County)
- French Creek State Park (Berks and Chester Counties)
- Marsh Creek State Park (Chester County)
- Neshaminy State Park (Bucks County)
- Nockamixon State Park (Bucks County)
- Norristown Farm Park (Montgomery County)
- Ralph Stover State Park (Bucks County)
- Ridley Creek State Park (Delaware County)
- Tyler State Park (Bucks County)
[edit] References
- Evansburg State Park. Retrieved on 2006-12-27.
- Map Reference for Evansburg State Park. Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. Retrieved on 2006-12-27.
- Evansburg State Park, USGS Lansdale (PA) Topo Map. Topozone. Retrieved on 2006-12-27.
- Schuylkill River Heritage - info for Evansburg State Park. Schuylkill River Heritage. Retrieved on 2006-12-27.
- Skippack Golf Course. Golflink.com. Retrieved on 2006-12-27.
