M. K. Goddard State Park, Mercer County
submitted by Richard Nugent

M K Goddard State Park consists of Lake Wilhelm and surrounding forests and fields. It has a very nice 12-mile long bike trail which makes a loop around most of the lake. The upper end of the lake is in a State Game Lands (SGL 270). Bald Eagle and Osprey nest in the park or nearby and the expected woodland birds nest here, including a nice variety of warblers. At the Environmental Learning Center, they have a colony of Purple Martins nesting in artificial gourds. At various points along the trail there are nesting boxes, which attract Eastern Bluebirds and Tree Swallows. Lake Wilhelm also attracts migrating waterfowl.

Directions: : From Pittsburgh drive north on I-79 to exit 130. At the end of the exit ramp turn left (West) on SR 358. Drive west on SR 358 for about 0.5 miles to SR 1011 (Sheakleyville Road). There is a sign for the park. Turn right onto SR 1011 and drive about 1.1 miles to SR 1009 (Lake Wilhelm Road). There is a sign for the park here also. Turn Right onto SR 1009 and drive about 1.7 miles to the park entrance. Turn right into the park and drive about 0.3 miles to the Environmental Learning Center. Maps are available as is a parking lot for the bike trail.