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Centre County commissioners back letter urging state acquisition to protect Penn’s Cave & Wildlife Park
Summary
The Board unanimously approved a letter of support for transitioning Penn’s Cave & Wildlife Park to state ownership; Penn’s Cave representatives and State Representative Kerry Benninghoff asked the Board to support state acquisition to protect headwaters and preserve public access.
The Centre County Board of Commissioners on July 7 voted unanimously to approve a letter of support urging the State to consider acquiring Penn’s Cave & Wildlife Park as a State Park.
Administrator John Franek Jr. introduced the request and Penn’s Cave CEO Russ Schleiden and Executive Business Director Jeanne Watson spoke to the Board. Schleiden asked the Board to support acquisition and protection of the site’s headwaters; Watson emphasized the property’s multi-generational family stewardship and said, “DCNR has wonderful plans to enhance the property.”
Representative Kerry Benninghoff thanked the Board for considering the letter and encouraged inclusion of the acquisition in the State budget. Commissioners described Penn’s Cave as a premier local attraction and said they view transitioning the property to a State Park as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to protect the site and ensure public access. The Board approved the letter of support by unanimous vote.
