Erie Bluffs State Park

Geobox Protected Area
name = Erie Bluffs State Park
native_name =
other_name =
other_name1 =
category_local = Pennsylvania State Park
category_iucn = III


image_caption = The mouth of Duck Run in Erie Bluffs State Park
etymology_type = Named for
etymology = The bluffs overlooking Lake Erie
country = United States
state = Pennsylvania
region_type = County
region = Erie
district_type = Townships
district = Girard
district1 = Springfield
city =
location =
lat_d = 42
lat_m = 00
lat_s = 30
lat_NS = N
long_d = 80
long_m = 24
long_s = 39
long_EW = W
location_note = cite web
url=Gnis3|2351698
title=Erie Bluffs State Park
date = August 30 2007
work=Geographic Names Information System
publisher=United States Geological Survey
accessdate=2008-02-28]
elevation_imperial = 636
elevation_round = 1
elevation_note =
area_unit = acre
area_imperial = 540
area_round = 1
area_note =
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biome =
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geology =
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plant =
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established_type =
established = June 4 2004
established_note =
management_body = Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
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visitation =
visitation_year =
free_type = Nearest city
free = Erie, Pennsylvania
free1_type =
free1 =


map_caption = Location of Erie Bluffs State Park in Pennsylvania
map_locator = Pennsylvania
map_first =
website = [http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/parks/eriebluffs.aspx Erie Bluffs State Park]

Erie Bluffs State Park is a convert|540|acre|km2|2|adj=on Pennsylvania State Park in Girard and Springfield Townships, Erie County, Pennsylvania in the United States. The park is the largest undeveloped stretch of land overlooking Lake Erie in Pennsylvania. Erie Bluffs State Park is just north of Pennsylvania Route 5 near Lake City and convert|12|mi|1 west of Erie. It is one of the newest Pennsylvania state parks.

Ecology

Most of the Lake Erie coastline in Pennsylvania is highly developed. Erie Bluffs State Park is the largest undeveloped stretch of coastline in Pennsylvania. It is therefore highly prized as an example of the wild nature that once stretched up and down the coast of Lake Erie. This convert|1|mi|1 stretch of coastline features bluffs approximately convert|90|ft|1 tall, patches of old growth forest, rare, endangered and threatened plant species, a "world-class" steelhead fishery, a savanna ecosystem, wetlands and several archaeological sites.cite web
url = http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/parks/eriebluffs.aspx
title = Erie Bluffs State Park
accessdate = 2007-01-04
publisher = Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources]

The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources in cooperation with the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy conducted a biological survey in the summer of 2004 at Erie Bluffs State Park. Their goal was to survey the forests, streams, and beaches of the park for every species of wild bird, fish, reptile, mammal, amphibian, plant, and insect that they could find. Biologists from Carnegie Museum, Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania, Gannon University, the Cleveland Museum, the Pennsylvania Game Commission, the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy and the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection took part in the survey and found:cite web
url = http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/04207/351300.stm
title = From eagles to insects, Erie Bluffs State Park harbors natural treasures
accessdate = 2007-01-05
author = Ben Moyer
publisher = Pittsburgh Post-Gazette]
* 80 species of birds in the park included two bald eagles, a cerulean and hooded warbler, and an Acadian flycatcher.
* a colony of more than 3,000 bank swallow found nesting in the bluffs is believed to be one of the largest colonies of bank swallows in Pennsylvania
* 19 species of mammals, including white tailed deer and red and gray foxes. The mammalogists noted that they did not find any Norway rats or house mice. This is significant because both animals are alien to the area and would only be present due to development by man.
* 4 species of bats, including the European pipistrel, little brown bat, big brown bat and the red bat.
* 302 species of vascular plants and 92 species of fungi
* Entomologists found 477 taxa of land-dwelling insects, 172 species of butterflies and moths and 32 taxa of spiders.
* 33 species of land snails, 13 species of aquatic snails and mussels including the invasive zebra mussel
* 14 different reptiles and amphibians
* 7 species of fish

History

Erie Bluffs State Park was officially established as a Pennsylvania State Park on June 4, 2004. It became Pennsylvania's 117th state park. Pennsylvania Governor Edward G. Rendell stated, at the opening of the park, cquote|This acquisition fulfills a decades-long vision to make this distinctive tract a state park to be enjoyed by Pennsylvania citizens and visitors to this region. With its spectacular scenic vistas over Lake Erie and an adjacent world-class shallow stream steelhead fishery, Erie Bluffs will prove to be a unique eco-tourism destination. Add Erie Bluffs to Presque Isle State Park and the Tom Ridge Center and you have a trifecta – a winning combination of recreational and educational experiences that will be an economic engine for this region. A visit to Erie will not be complete without a stop at all three locations.cite web
url = http://www.governor.state.pa.us/governor/cwp/view.asp?Q=438406&A=7
title = GOVERNOR RENDELL NAMES 117TH STATE PARK
accessdate = 2007-01-05
publisher = Office of the Governor of Pennsylvania]

The land on which Erie Bluffs State Park is located was acquired in 2004 by the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy from Reliant Energy. The conservancy then turned over ownership of the parklands to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, to be managed by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.

Nearby state parks

The following state parks are within convert|30|mi|0 of Erie Bluffs State Park: [cite web
url = http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/parks/region_greatlakes.aspx
title = Find a Park PA Great Lakes Region
accessdate = 2007-01-04
publisher = Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources ] [cite map |scale = 1:65,000| publisher= Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, Bureau of Planning and Research, Geographic Information Division
url= ftp://ftp.dot.state.pa.us/public/pdf/BPR_pdf_files/Maps/GHS/Roadnames/erie_GHSN.PDF
title= 2007 General Highway Map Erie County Pennsylvania
accessdate= 2007-07-27 "Note: shows Erie Bluffs State Park (unlabeled)"] cite web
last = Michels
first = Chris
year = 1997
url = http://www2.nau.edu/~cvm/latlongdist.html
title = Latitude/Longitude Distance Calculation
publisher = Northern Arizona University
accessdate = 2008-04-20]
*Presque Isle State Park (Erie County)
*Pymatuning State Park (Crawford County)
*Pymatuning State Park (Ohio)
*Geneva State Park (Ohio)

References

External links