Nittany Lion Shrine, Penn State sign to close for 1 month for renovations

Penn State visitors hoping to snag a photo with the iconic Nittany Lion Shrine or the sign/stone wall near Beaver Stadium will need a backup plan for at least a month this summer.

Both the Lion Shrine and the sign, which welcomes visitors with the words “Pennsylvania State University,” will essentially be closed from June 1 to around July 1 — depending on the weather — so both campus landmarks can undergo necessary renovations, the university announced.

The 79-year-old shrine, sculpted from a 13-ton block of Indiana limestone, will see a new walkway installed near it in addition to improvements made to the nearby viewing platform. Due to the nature of the work, the shrine will be protected with tarps, plywood and temporary fencing for about a month. (The shrine did undergo repairs last year to the right ear and some claws, but the university said such delicate work prevented the less-than-delicate walkway replacement.)

The university sign near the football stadium, at the intersection of East Park Avenue and Porter Road, will undergo simultaneous renovations with the goal of building a new sidewalk for greater accessibility. The sign will remain partially visible, but visitors won’t be able to get up close because it will be a worksite.

The university has asked visitors to keep a safe distance from workers.

Diseased trees behind the sign will also be removed.