Wildwood Park (Pennsylvania)
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Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
| Wildwood Park | |
|---|---|
 A view of aquatic vegetation growing in the wetlands | |
  | |
| Location | 100 Wildwood Way Harrisburg, Pennsylvania |
| Area | 229 acres |
| Created | 1901 |
| Operated by | Dauphin County Parks and Recreation Department |
| Visitors | 85,000 |
| Paths | 6+ mi |
| Website | Wildwood Park website |
Wildwood Park is a public park and nature sanctuary in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. The 229-acre park is known for its 90-acre shallow lake with over 6 miles of trails and mile-long boardwalk over the wetlands.[1] The park is located within the city limits of Harrisburg; however, it is administered and maintained by the Dauphin County Parks and Recreation Department. Wildwood Park runs in line with Paxton Creek, a tributary of the Susquehanna River, on the northern side of Harrisburg and adjacent to the main campus of HACC, Central Pennsylvania's Community College. Paxton Creek feeds into the lake, which comprises 60% of the Park. A section of the old Pennsylvania Canal runs parallel to the western trail. The remainder of the park is mixed deciduous forest, and an artificial meadow overlooks the eastern side of the lake.[2] Wildwood Park is also part of the Capital Area Greenbelt.
The 4,000 square foot Benjamin Olewine III Nature Center, opened in 1999, features exhibits about the natural history of the park and the Susquehanna Valley area. Environmental education programs are offered for school groups. The center won multiple awards for the design of its programming.[3]