Ghost Town Trail Murals in Ebensburg, PA

At the Ghost Town Trail Trail entrance in Ebensburg, PA you will find a series of colorful murals painted by local students.

Memorial Park Concerts

Concerts are held at Memorial Park in Indiana Borough on Sunday afternoons from 5:30 to 7:00 pm. The concerts in 2018 run through August 26th.

A June Day at Hemlock Lake

Barred Owl at Pine Ridge Park

A young Barred Owl decided to check out our maintenance crew at Pine Ridge.

Wild Stonecrop

The Wild Stonecrop is a member of the Sedum family of plants. It grows in moist rocky areas. Although more often found in southern PA it does grow in Indiana County.

It's amazing how still a Fawn will remain to avoid detection. Usually, the mother is nearby and comes to check on the fawn a few times a day. This one we almost stepped on before we noticed it.

Hemlock Lake View

Hemlock Lake West Shore Pavilion

Fire Pink

The fire pink is a member of the carnation family. Although the fire pink is not large, it is one of our most conspicuous plants because of its brilliant scarlet or crimson color. It typically blooms n our area by the end of May on dry hillsides and roadsides.

Rain Means Fungi

Our rainy May weather has brought out many interesting fungi in the woods.

The Buttermilk Falls Access Project was awarded the Eagle Award by the Associated Builders and Contractors, Western PA Chapter. The award is the highest award the group designates. The project contractor was Vince Building Company of Greensburg, PA and the architect was Thomas Harly Architects of Indiana, PA.

By mid-May Box Turtles have started to move and can be seen crossing our rural roads, especially on rainy days. This turtle was a young male Box Turtle found crossing Blue Spruce Road.

The Spring rains of 2018 have resulted in lots of water going over the falls at Blue Spruce.

Baby Snapper

By mid-May, Snapping Turtles begin to move to a new habitat. This small Snapper was found crossing Wehrum Road near the Ghost Town Trail.

Eliza Furnace Historic Site

We lease the Eliza Furnace Historic Site from the Cambria County Historical Society. The lease is for 99 years.

Early Evening at Mahoning Creek

Eclipse Bridge at Buttermilk Falls

Fawn Season

By mid-May fawns are being born and can be seen throughout our parks. We encountered this fawn along one of our park roads. It had just crossed the road and decided to hide by hunkering down in a ditch. After a few minutes, it was up and safely in the nearby woods.

Time to Get the Boat Out

Some anglers try their luck at some early season fishing on the waters of Hemlock Lake.

Mayapple Season

After the Storm

After a storm of high winds and rain the evening sky turns into a fiery sunset.

Dutchman's Breeches

Look for the distinctive flower of the Dutchman's Breeches in moist shady areas of our parks and trails.

Bluebird Nest

By the end of April the Bluebirds at our parks have started to lay their eggs. If the nest is removed after the first baby Bluebirds have fledged then they will often have a second nesting.

Trout Lily Blooming

While there are hundreds of Trout Lily growing an area usually only a small number of the plants bloom each year. This one was blooming at the Blacklick Valley Natural Area on April 27, 2018.

Blairsville Riverfront Trail

This 1.7-mile trail provides access to the loop of the Conemaugh River in Blairsville, PA.

Red Mill Bridge on the Ghost Town Trail

The REd Mill Bridge is located on the Rexis Branch of the Ghost Town Trail. The bridge replaces a railroad bridge that was washed away in the 1977 Flood. The bridge is located on the North Branch of Blacklick Creek.

Spring Sunset at Blue Spruce Park

Buttermilk Falls - Open Daily from 8 am to Sunset.

Waterworks Mallard

We saw this single mallard duck cruising in the wetland area of the Waterworks Conservation Area.

Blue Spruce Lakeside Center

Penn State Master Gardeners held their first meeting of the year at the Blue Spruce Lakeside Center. The group is gearing up for another year of volunteer work to maintain our gardens in the park.