HARRISBURG, Pa. — State environmental officials are calling on residents for input on the state’s outdoor recreation plan.
The project is focused on improving and expanding opportunities for outdoor recreation across the commonwealth.
“This plan is critical for the future of outdoor recreation in Pennsylvania," state Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn said in a news release.
"And I encourage those interested to share perspectives to help us design more people-focused initiatives for the future.
“Outdoor recreation delivers huge benefits for all of us — from driving local economies, to helping us lead healthy, active lifestyles.
"We all need outdoor recreation in our lives, and this plan makes recommendations on how we can make it accessible to everyone."Cindy Adams Dunn, secretary of the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
“We all need outdoor recreation in our lives, and this plan makes recommendations on how we can make it accessible to everyone.”
Residents can comment on a draft of the 2025-29 Pennsylvania Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan, or SCORP, through March 3.
There’s a public input form on DCNR’s website, as well as webinars on the five priority areas covered in the plan.
Webinars scheduled
State officials have also scheduled webinars, all from noon to 12:30 p.m., focused on each of the priority areas in the plan.
Webinars include:
- Feb. 5: Advancing Health and Wellness
- Feb. 10: Supporting Equity and Inclusion
- Feb. 12: Addressing Infrastructure and Maintenance
- Feb. 19: Progressing on Sustainability and Climate Change
“There were multiple surveys that informed the draft plan, including a Penn State Lion Poll from a web-panel survey of more than 1,000 adult Pennsylvanians, a public survey and a recreation providers survey,” according to the release.
“One of the key findings — out of more than 8,000 responses — revealed Pennsylvanians' strong connection between outdoor recreation and mental well-being.”
Every five years, states must develop a comprehensive outdoor recreation plan to guide policies, programs and investments while remaining eligible for federal funding, officials said.
Pennsylvania’s outdoor recreation industry contributes $19 billion to the commonwealth’s economy, represents 2% of its gross domestic product and supports more than 68,000 jobs that provide $9 billion in wages and salaries.
