Harrisburg, Pennsylvania -- Today,
Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn announced expansion of a program offering visitors free sunscreen at state park beaches and swimming pools throughout Pennsylvania ahead of
National Sunscreen Day on May 27.
Governor Josh Shapiro recently launched a new brand for the Commonwealth --
Pennsylvania: The Great American Getaway -- and pointed to Pennsylvania’s state park system as incredible destinations for a weekend getaway.
The Shapiro family is now on a week-long RV tour ahead of Memorial Day Weekend, embarking on their own Great American Getaway to promote the new brand and Pennsylvania’s tourism industry all across the Commonwealth across more than 50 stops and 14 counties over the next six days.
"Thousands of visitors will spend time at state parks this Memorial Day weekend and it is important to remember that protection from potentially harmful ultraviolet rays is key when spending extended time outdoors,"
Dunn said. "Thank you to the Department of Health and Impact Melanoma for continued support and expansion of this important program at our state parks. I encourage all Pennsylvanians to make sunscreen a part of their outdoors routine to ensure a fun and safe summer."
Experts say daily application of a sunscreen with a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of 30 or higher can aid in prevention of skin cancer.
Health officials report one in 40 Pennsylvanians will be diagnosed with melanoma in their lifetime.
More than 8,500 Americans are diagnosed with skin cancer each day.
Pole-mounted, battery-operated dispensers, supplying 30+ SPF
Sun Station USA sunscreen applications, will be positioned at 52 state parks including:
- Bald Eagle
- Beltzville
- Bendigo
- Black Moshannon
- Blue Knob
- Caledonia
- Canoe Creek
- Chapman
- Clear Creek
- Codorus
- Colonel Denning
- Cowans Gap
- Frances Slocum
- French Creek
- Greenwood Furnace
- Gifford Pinchot
- Hickory Run
- Hills Creek
- Jennings Environmental Education Center
- Keystone
- Lackawanna
- Laurel Hill
- Little Buffalo
- Lyman Run
- Marsh Creek
- Memorial Lake
- Moraine
- Mt. Pisgah
- Neshaminy
- Nockamixon
- Nolde Forest
- Ohiopyle
- Parker Dam
- Pine Grove Furnace
- Poe Valley
- Presque Isle
- Prince Gallitzin
- Promised Land
- Racoon Creek
- Ralph Stover
- R.B. Winter
- Ricketts Glen
- Ridley Creek
- Shawnee
- Shikellamy
- Sizerville
- Tobyhanna
- Tuscarora
- Tyler
- Whipple Dam
- Worlds End
- Yellow Creek
Public lands are a major part of the Great American Getaway RV Tour, including stops at several state parks, a state forest, national forest, several trails and more.
State parks are great summer destinations for
swimming,
boating,
camping, and
other outdoor recreation opportunities.
Pets are welcome at state parks in designated areas, including:
- Day-use areas
- Designated sites in campgrounds
- Designated cabins, camping cottages, and yurts
- All areas not otherwise closed to pets
“We expect to see millions of visitors at state parks this summer and I encourage everyone to take advantage of the free sunscreen while enjoying our beautiful state parks,”
State Parks Director John Hallas said.
DCNR’s sunscreen program began in 2017 when its Bureau of State Parks began supplying free sunscreen at Codorus and Pine Grove Furnace state parks.
The program now has the potential to reach an estimated 3 million visitors this season.
A cancer prevention fund from the Department of Health covers the costs of the sunscreen.
DCNR continues to pursue opportunities to partner with local health organizations and healthcare system providers to cover future costs and to further expand the program.
Visit
DCNR’s website for more information about state parks and check out
DCNR’s Calendar of Events for events on public lands.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Wesley Robinson, DCNR, 717-877-6315
# # #