Locust Lake and Tuscarora state parks hold a special place for many residents, and they now have a way to give back to them.

More than 20 people turned out Thursday night for the first virtual meeting of a friends group being formed to support the two parks.

“I’m very excited we have the interest we do. I do believe the park could use the TLC that a friends group can provide,” said Nicholas Sulzer, park manager of Tuscarora and Locust Lake State parks.

About one-third of the state’s 121 state parks have friends groups. They contribute volunteer hours and donations toward projects to maintain and improve the parks.

The friends groups are organized and assisted by the Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Foundation, a nonprofit which advocates for the state parks. The groups assist in their goal of supporting and promoting the state park system.

“Our mission is to be the steward of the state parks and forests, and one way we do that is through friends groups,” said Marci Mowery, president of the Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Foundation.

Beltzville State Park has had a friends group for more than five years. They’ve done projects like a pollinator garden, stations with bags to deposit animal waste, and accessible boat ramps. Volunteer Diane Swaijkowski said it’s been a great opportunity to do projects that help the park, and learn even more about the natural beauty of the state.

“I can’t speak enough about the Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Foundation,” she said.

Sulzer, who took his position last June, said there are many opportunities for a friends group to help at Tuscarora and Locust Lake. Like most of Pennsylvania’s State Parks, Locust Lake and Tuscarora saw a significant increase in visitors during the pandemic, which highlighted some opportunities to improve the park.

He identified some long-term projects which might require fundraising, and short-term projects that can be accomplished as soon as this spring.

“As a staff, we can only do so much with what we have, and what we’re given. Any extra help we have is greatly appreciated,” Sulzer said.

In the short term, volunteers could help with litter, painting, trail work and removing invasive plant species.

Some long-term ideas include accessible canoe and kayak launches, and upgraded playground equipment.

In the middle, there are opportunities to build fishing structures and improve signs for the trail and camp sites at Locust Lake.

Prospective volunteers who attended the meeting shared their own ideas for how the park could be improved. Some people suggested events for youth and additional trail maintenance.

The Parks and Forests Foundation plans to hold another Zoom meeting next month, before hopefully gathering in person to begin working on some park projects in the spring. Anyone interested in attending the meeting can contact Pmetzger@paparksandforests.org. For more information on friends groups, visit https://paparksandforests.org/friends-groups.