Wildwood Park (Pennsylvania)

Wildwood Park is a public park in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. The 210 acre park is known for its 90-acre shallow lake and over 6 miles of trails.[1] The park is within the city of Harrisburg; however, it is administered and maintained by the Dauphin County parks department. The park runs parallel to the Paxton Creek, a tributary of the Susquehanna River, on the northern side of Harrisburg and adjacent to the main campus of HACC, Central Pennsylvania's Community College. Wildwood Park is also part of the Capital Area Greenbelt.

Benjamin Olewine III Nature Center

The Benjamin Olewine III Nature Center, opened in 1999, features exhibits about the natural history of the park and the Susquehanna Valley area. Environmental education programs are offered for school groups.

History

In 1901, the City of Harrisburg established Wildwood Lake as part of the City Beautiful movement, a nationwide reform effort conceived by social reformers to build civic loyalty and a sense of community among urban dwellers.[2] In 1964, the city deeded 157 acres of the park to Harrisburg Area Community College for the construction of a campus and academic buildings. In 1976, the Dauphin County Commissioners and Harrisburg City Council agreed to the Wildwood Park transfer agreement, and the park was acquired by the county for the princely sum of $1.[2]

References
  1. Wildwood Lake and Park profile Dauphin County parks department, Retrieved January 15, 2011.
  2. History of Wildwood Park Friends of Wildwood Lake Nature Center, Retrieved January 15, 2011.


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