New State Park Coming To Southern Chester County

CHESTER COUNTY, PA —Gov. Tom Wolf selected Big Elk Creek Park in southern Chester County as one of three new state parks being developed in a $45 million project.

The other two are Susquehanna Riverlands, York County, and Vosburg Neck, Wyoming County.

All three parks are open to the public, but have limited amenities until the upgrades are completed.

The new parks are expected to be fully operational at the end of 2026.

Big Elk Creek is located in Elk and Franklin townships, 10 miles northwest of Newark, Dela. The park is the closest of the three new parks to Philadelphia.

The creation of pollinator meadows and more than 300 acres of streamside forest buffers are planned in 2024, the governor said.

The majority of the Big Elk Creek park consists of farmland and forests and crosses the Big Elk Creek, which is a high quality stream.

The park is used for trail hiking, bird watching, horseback riding, fishing and hunting. There are no restroom facilities.

“Our beautiful state parks are among the finest in the nation,” said Gov. Wolf in a prepared statement, when announcing the selection of the three parks.
“I’m proud to have secured funding in my final budget to make this investment in our park system which will not only preserve invaluable natural resources and habitats for wildlife but provide in-demand access for Pennsylvanians to enjoy the beauty of nature and recreational opportunities.”

Wolf also acknowledged that the Big Oak Creek Park was under pressure from developers.

Big Elk Creek was a natural resource corridor for indigenous people for thousands of years and an important area for freedom seekers on the Underground Railroad to the North.

The park contains 2.1 miles of the Mason-Dixon Line along the Pennsylvania/Maryland border.

Susquehanna Riverlands in Hellam Township, York County includes 1,100 acres of natural resources.

Vosburg Neck is 669 acres being acquired with the assistance of the North Branch Land Trust.

More information about Pennsylvania state parks on the DCNR website.