Laurel Caverns becomes first subterranean state park in Pennsylvania
Laurel Caverns becomes first subterranean state park in Pa.
Gov. Josh Shapiro weaved his way through meandering sandstone corridors hundreds of feet underground Monday morning before emerging from the darkness into colorful lights illuminating a cavernous room to dedicate Laurel Caverns as the newest state park in Pennsylvania.
无毛视频淭hat was incredible,无毛视频� the governor said of the brief tour of the caverns he took with staff and others.
Awaiting Shapiro for an underground ceremony and press conference were dozens of tourism officials and government dignitaries ready to proclaim Laurel Caverns in southern Fayette County as the 125th state park, but first ever to be subterranean.
Shapiro called the new state park 无毛视频渙ne of one无毛视频� because of its unique amenities 无毛视频� which have wowed visitors for decades 无毛视频� that are now under the umbrella of the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.
无毛视频淭here is not another state park like this,无毛视频� Shapiro said.
David and Lillian Cale have owned the property for four decades and started Laurel Caverns Conservancy to help run the site and offer tours to the public. The Cales donated the property to the state last year and the deed recently changed hands to give the DCNR control of the land and caverns, although the conservancy will still run the tours while the state makes improvements above ground to offer more attractions to the 426 acres on the surface.
Shapiro called Cale the 无毛视频渕ayor of the caves无毛视频� and thanked him and his wife for 无毛视频渟haring this with the public无毛视频� with their donation of the property.
无毛视频淭hank you for being such great stewards of this land and such great stewards of these caves,无毛视频� Shapiro said.
DNCR Cindy Adams Dunn chatted with David Cale before they and others descended 50 feet below the surface to the press conference.
无毛视频淲hat a gift to the public,无毛视频� Dunn told Cale.
Dunn said that while the state has been interested in the property for the past decade, discussions got serious about three years ago before being finalized during budget negotiations early last year that brought bipartisan support in the state Legislature. The immersive and unique experience that you can 无毛视频渢ouch it, feel it and see it无毛视频� will hopefully bring visitors from all across the state and farther, Dunn said.
无毛视频淚t really does belong to all Pennsylvanians,无毛视频� Dunn said. 无毛视频淲e want to steward this for the future. He无毛视频檚 putting it in good hands. He studies us well.无毛视频�
Park Superintendent Corie Eckman worked as a park manager trainee at Ohiopyle State Park, so she understands the relationship between Fayette County and its natural resources.
无毛视频淲oo-hoo! We did it,无毛视频� Eckman said. 无毛视频淟auren Caverns has long been regarded as one of Pennsylvania无毛视频檚 unique treasures. This is an exciting moment for Laurel Caverns. 无毛视频� There无毛视频檚 a lot to look forward to in this journey.无毛视频�
Fayette County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Muriel Nuttall echoed that thought and said having the state park status will drive even more visitors to this ridge in the Laurel Highlands.
无毛视频淲e无毛视频檙e adding something to our region that is truly one of a kind,无毛视频� Nuttall said.
While Laurel Caverns is the newest state park, the cave entrance on Chestnut Ridge above Fairchance was discovered in the late 18th century. The property changed hands several times over the years, and David Cale无毛视频檚 grandfather owned it for a time with the first tours beginning in 1964. David and Lillian Cale bought it from Donald Shoemaker in 1986 and have operated it ever since.
无毛视频淭his cave follows the slope of the mountain,无毛视频� Cale said about downward grade cut by springs channeling toward Fairchance.
The caverns, which have four miles of pathways and are the deepest in Pennsylvania, are closed to the public from October until mid-April due to the sizable bat population that calls it home, which is the largest in the northeast. There are multiple guided tour options that range from walkable to deep depths, which cost different prices. The conservancy will continue to manage the caverns and tours, which Cale said will save the state money as the DCNR focuses on making improvements to the surface.
As the press conference wrapped up, Shapiro quipped that this is likely the deepest underground he无毛视频檚 ever fielded questions from reporters.
无毛视频淭his will probably be the coolest place to have a press conference. I wish you all luck getting out,无毛视频� Shapiro said with a laugh.
The cave portion of Laurel Caverns State Park will open to the public April 22. More information on the state park can be found by going to www.pa.gov/agencies/dcnr or www.laurelcaverns.com.