Plans
for a major redesign of Denton Hill State Park have been quietly moving forward.
A letter from the Bureau of State Parks to the Potter County Board of
Commissioners announced that a “master plan” for the park will be shared with
the public in the coming weeks. The Pa. Dept. of Conservation and Natural
Resources (DCNR) will schedule meetings to explain options for developing the
park for year-round operations, including downhill skiing and other recreational
opportunities. LaBella Associates has been contracted for the master planning
and redesign process. The consultant is focusing on improvements, redesign and
new infrastructure for skiing; overnight accommodations; four-season recreation
development, and community partnerships. Plans call for the ski lodge to be
rehabilitated, as well as a tripling of parking spaces to 1,000 with a shuttle
bus loop created. Steps will also be taken to connect Denton Hill to two other
state parks, Lyman Run and Cherry Springs, through hiking and bicycle trails.
Among additions being considered are an aerial canopy course, ziplines, mountain
bike flow trails, ropes and obstacle courses, festival facilities and more.
DCNR hopes to have a “nearly turnkey” contract with a concessionaire. A
stakeholders committee, headed by the Potter County Board of Commissioners, is
serving as the liaison with DCNR. Among other members are the Chambers of
Commerce in Coudersport, Galeton and Wellsboro and the Pennsylvania Route 6
Alliance. Denton Hill State Park was opened as a ski area in 1958 and operated
by the state until 1979. In 1983, DCNR signed a 35-year concession lease
agreement with Denton Hill Family and Ski Resort Inc. The concessionaire
notified DCNR just before the 2014-15 ski season that it was backing out.
Although there’s no skiing, the park continues to host occasional activities.
Among events held last summer were the Northwinds 4-H Camp, the 28th annual
Eastern Traditional Archery Rendezvous, and the 34th annual Potter County
Bowhunter Festival.
