COUDERSPORT — Cherry Springs State Park will host events including Full Moon Watches, a Nature at Night program and a park welcome and walking tour July 12-13.
From 9:30 to 11 p.m. July 12 and 13, residents are invited to join park staff for a Full Moon Watch in the park’s Night Sky Viewing Area. Attendees will explore some of the moon’s fascinating features from highlands to volcanic plains and discover where lunar landings took place. Then, they will get an up close look at the moon through park telescopes.
Preregistration is required to attend a Full Moon Watch, which is a free, dark skies program.
Planning to attend the July 12 Full Moon Watch program at the Night Sky Viewing Area? Participants are invited to arrive early and join park staff from 8 to 8:45 p.m. for Nature at Night, a free, family-friendly program on fascinating night creatures, such as fireflies, bats, black bears, coyotes or others based on animal activity in the park.
Preregistration is not required for Nature at Night.
Park Welcome & Walking Tour is Saturday, July 13
Planning to attend the July 13 Full Moon Watch program at the Night Sky Viewing Area? Attendees are invited to arrive early and join park staff from 8 to 8:45 p.m. to go on the free Park Welcome & Walking Tour, a guided walk of less than a mile on mostly level terrain to see park facilities and learn about their past, present and future. All ages are welcome.
For the walking tour, meet at the information kiosk near the restroom in the visitor parking area on the north side of Route 44. Preregistration is not required.
Online preregistration for the Full Moon Watch on July 12 and 13 is required by visiting http://events.dcnr.pa.gov/cherry_springs_state_park. If there is a problem with registering online or for information about programs offered at the park, call (814) 435-1037 or email cherryspringsee@pa.gov.
Cherry Springs State Park at 4639 Cherry Springs Road is 12 miles from U.S. Route 6 in Galeton via West Branch Road and 15 miles from Coudersport via Route 44. All stargazing and other programs will be cancelled if it rains or thunders.
Anyone may observe the night sky at Cherry Springs on his or her own without attending a stargazing program. All visitors should arrive before dark. Search for the Clear Sky Chart online for 48-hour forecasts about viewing conditions.
Those who get to the park early are always welcome to bring a picnic supper and make use of the park’s picnic grove near the Night Sky Viewing Area. The grove has picnic tables and charcoal grills onsite. Preregistration is not required to picnic in the park.
