The Friends of Salt Springs Park, Inc. • PO Box 541 • Montrose PA • 18801 • 570.967.7275 • info@friendsofsaltspringspark.org
Eight hundred forty-two of the most beautiful acres in Susquehanna County make up Salt Springs Park. Just under half of this land is a state park the Friends manage for the Commonwealth, and the rest is our own land we encourage the public to enjoy.
Taking its name from a historic artesian well of naturally salty water, Salt Springs offers the peace and beauty of streams and woodlands combined with the convenience of trails, historic farm buildings, cottages, camping, picnic grounds, open space and meeting facilities. Salt Springs is open to the public year-round, without charge, from sunrise to sunset. The park is 6 miles north of Montrose, the county seat of Susquehanna County, and is within easy driving distance of Scranton, PA, and Binghamton, NY.
The park offers a gorge with three magnificent waterfalls surrounded by a virgin hemlock forest and trails winding through 842 acres. At the base of the gorge is a bubbling salt spring, traces of an 1850s woolen mill, and mid-19th century farmhouses and barns. The Friends sponsor special events and recreational and education programs all year based on the park's rich natural and human history.
With one exception, all of the park is open to hunting and fishing in season. The picnic area and the land surrounding the hemlock grove, waterfalls, and farmhouses, about 30 acres, have been designated a Natural Area, which is off limits to hunting. In winter, portions of the park are ideal for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.
Camping and picnicking are other popular activities at Salt Springs. The facilities are rustic. The pavilion, an 1840s threshing barn, is a popular setting for weddings, receptions, family reunions, and gatherings of all kinds.
The Friends of Salt Springs Park will maintain the unspoiled, rural character of the park created by the Wheaton family. The Friends will provide opportunities to enjoy healthy outdoor recreation and education, while conserving the natural, scenic, aesthetic, and historical values of the park.
Salt Springs State Park is managed by the Friends of Salt Springs Park, Inc., a nonprofit organization formed in 1994 for this purpose. Since 1994, by legal contract, the Friends have designed and paid for most of the renovations and improvements to park facilities and have designed and implemented 100% of the park's programs and events. Salt Springs is the only Pennsylvania state park under the direct management of a private, nonprofit volunteer organization.
Need help? Don't know where to begin? Concetta Schirra and Dorrie Mininger designed a gardening series, From Weeds to Seeds, just for you. Next session is Saturday, June 2, 1-3 pm, when Concetta and Dorrie will focus on planting both plants and seeds.
Click here for full details. Browse our albums "From Weeds to Seeds" and "Finishing Touches on the Fence" on Facebook.
The Messenger
In addition to our monthly electronic newsletters, we publish The Messenger, an expanded printed newsletter sent to our membership. We thank Jerry and Dawn Washo, owners of locally owned Resource Environmental Management, for sponsoring our Winter 2012 issue. Consult them for help with a wide range of environmental issues.
We just posted the latest issue. Get to know our new board members (p. 2), read our Annual Report (pp. 3, 4), and mark your calendars (and sign up) for March and April programs and events (p. 5).
Meet Concetta Schirra
We are pleased to announce that Concetta Schirra is the Friends' new Environmental Education Coordinator. Concetta grew up just outside Philadelphia and moved to Hallstead in 2006. She's attended programs at the park and has hiked all the trails here numerous times. Concetta has a BS degree in Mathematics and Chemistry and an MS in Mathematics. Although most of her teaching has been at the collegiate level (including Wilkes University), she has taught students from young adults to older adults. In addition to hiking, Concetta enjoys camping caving, and backpacking.
These are just a few of the highlights. Concetta introduces herself here.
We've Been Blogged!
Question: How many grandkids does it take to encirlce an old-growth hemlock tree at Salt Springs?
Answer: To find out, read the blog post, and enjoy the photographs, at Milliver's Travels, written by park neighbor Betsy Villanella.
Thanks, Betsy!
Birds, Butterflies & Wildlife
We just added some more of George Schreck's finest photographs to our Photo Album—Birds, Butterflies & More and Wildlife.
Thank You for Your Donations
Many people who donate to the United Way designate the Friends of Salt Springs as recipients. We just received our quarterly donations and with gratitude will apply them toward our continuing flood repair expenses.