Presque Isle State Park Masterplan

An ecologically informed master plan helps ensure that the needs of recreation, education, and nature are balanced at three treasured state park properties along Pennsylvania’s Lake Erie for the next quarter century.

Managed by Pennsylvania’s Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR), the Presque Isle Complex (PRIS) is comprised of three locations: Presque Isle State Park, a 3,200-acre peninsula that arches into Lake Erie from the City of Erie’s shoreline; the 65,000 SF LEED silver certified Tom Ridge Environmental Center at the entrance to Presque Isle State Park; and the 587-acre Erie Bluffs State Park, located 12 miles west of the City of Erie.

Recognizing the need to ensure a long-term balance of recreational needs and natural resource protection at PRIS properties, DCNR sought to develop a comprehensive master plan. Biohabitats served as ecological experts on the master planning team led by Whitman, Requardt & Associates.

Biohabitats began by reviewing existing information with an ecological context, such as data related the sites’ soils, hydrology, topography, utilities, impervious cover, land use, vegetation, habitat types, trails, sensitive ecological features, stormwater BMPs, easements, and rare, threatened, and endangered species.

After performing a rapid site assessment of each site to ground-truth the data, Biohabitats prepared mapping to show projected climate resilience and summarize existing ecological conditions, opportunities and constraints for long term resilience of natural systems. Biohabitats then prepared content for the master plan’s ecological sustainability and resilience chapters, including overlays presenting ecological strategies for each PRIS property.

TAGS

• Analysis+Planning
• Assessment+Monitoring
• Conservation
• Ecological Restoration