The 4,062-acre Laurel Hill State Park Complex near Trent in Somerset County has been named the recipient of the 2019 Park of the Year Award. The non-profit Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Foundation announced the award on Tuesday.
Laurel Hill is surrounded by thousands of acres of state park and state forest lands, including the Jones Mill Run Dam and the Hemlock Trail Natural Area. It has a 63-acre lake and trail system. The lake is used for boating and fishing as well as swimming.
In addition to Laurel Hill State Park, the complex includes Kooser, and Laurel Ridge state parks, according to Gerald Eicher, vice president of the Friends of the Laurel Hill Complex. The 70-mile Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail from Ohiopyle to Johnstown cuts through the Laurel Ridge State Park. The Laurel Ridge cross country ski area also is part of that complex, said Eicher, whose organization is one of the chapters of the Parks and Forests Foundation.
Neither Michael Mumau, Laurel Hill manager or Marci Mowery, president of the parks and forests foundation, could be reached for comment.
The winners will be recognized at a May 8 awards banquet in New Cumberland, Pa.
