Lackawanna State Park
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| Lackawanna State Park | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Lake Lackawanna | |||||||
 Interactive map of Lackawanna State Park | |||||||
| Location | Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania, United States | ||||||
| Coordinates | 41°33′32″N 75°42′20″W / 41.55887°N 75.70555°W[1] | ||||||
| Area | 198 acres (80 ha)[1] | ||||||
| Elevation | 1,135 feet (346 m) | ||||||
| Established | 1972 | ||||||
| Administered by | Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources | ||||||
| Website | Official website  | ||||||
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Lackawanna State Park is a 1,445-acre (585 ha)[1] Pennsylvania state park in Benton and North Abington townships, Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania in the United States. Lake Lackawanna, a 198-acre (80 ha) man-made lake, is the central focus of recreation at the park. Lackawanna State Park is located near Dalton on Pennsylvania Route 524 just off exit 199 of Interstate 81.
On June 1, 2023, the contractor for the park filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.[2]
Indian Path
Lackawanna State Park is named for the nearby valley of the Lackawanna River. The word comes from the Lenape "le-can-hanna", meaning "stream that forks". This native tribe occupied the area for many years using a trail that led north to the territories of present-day New York state. The first white settlers in the area used this same path as well and gradually built homes and farms along this route.[1]
Racecourse, railroads, and farms
The farmers of the Lackawanna Valley organized a fair in 1898. This fair, named the Maitland Fair and Driving Park Association, was held for at least twelve years. A horse racing course was built on the fairgrounds on what is currently the park campgrounds. Ownership of the land next fell into the hands of a small railroad that felt it was being overcharged for water by the Scranton Gas and Water Company. The railroad had intended to build a reservoir to meet its needs for water. The plans for the building of the reservoir were dropped when the railroad and water company reached an agreement over the price of water. Next the land was rented to farmers by the railroad and later by Robert Moffat, a prominent Scranton coal baron. The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania purchased the land in 1968. The state built Lake Lackawanna and opened the park to the public on June 10, 1972.[1]
