Laurel Caverns becomes first subterranean state park in Pennsylvania
Laurel Caverns becomes first subterranean state park in Pa.
Gov. Josh Shapiro weaved his way through meandering sandstone corridors hundreds of feet underground Monday morning before emerging from the darkness into colorful lights illuminating a cavernous room to dedicate Laurel Caverns as the newest state park in Pennsylvania.
“That was incredible,” the governor said of the brief tour of the caverns he took with staff and others.
Awaiting Shapiro for an underground ceremony and press conference were dozens of tourism officials and government dignitaries ready to proclaim Laurel Caverns in southern Fayette County as the 125th state park, but first ever to be subterranean.
Shapiro called the new state park “one of one” because of its unique amenities – which have wowed visitors for decades – that are now under the umbrella of the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.
“There is not another state park like this,” Shapiro said.
David and Lillian Cale have owned the property for four decades and started Laurel Caverns Conservancy to help run the site and offer tours to the public. The Cales donated the property to the state last year and the deed recently changed hands to give the DCNR control of the land and caverns, although the conservancy will still run the tours while the state makes improvements above ground to offer more attractions to the 426 acres on the surface.
Shapiro called Cale the “mayor of the caves” and thanked him and his wife for “sharing this with the public” with their donation of the property.
“Thank you for being such great stewards of this land and such great stewards of these caves,” Shapiro said.
DNCR Cindy Adams Dunn chatted with David Cale before they and others descended 50 feet below the surface to the press conference.
“What a gift to the public,” Dunn told Cale.
Dunn said that while the state has been interested in the property for the past decade, discussions got serious about three years ago before being finalized during budget negotiations early last year that brought bipartisan support in the state Legislature. The immersive and unique experience that you can “touch it, feel it and see it” will hopefully bring visitors from all across the state and farther, Dunn said.
“It really does belong to all Pennsylvanians,” Dunn said. “We want to steward this for the future. He’s putting it in good hands. He studies us well.”
Park Superintendent Corie Eckman worked as a park manager trainee at Ohiopyle State Park, so she understands the relationship between Fayette County and its natural resources.
“Woo-hoo! We did it,” Eckman said. “Lauren Caverns has long been regarded as one of Pennsylvania’s unique treasures. This is an exciting moment for Laurel Caverns. … There’s a lot to look forward to in this journey.”
Fayette County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Muriel Nuttall echoed that thought and said having the state park status will drive even more visitors to this ridge in the Laurel Highlands.
“We’re adding something to our region that is truly one of a kind,” Nuttall said.
While Laurel Caverns is the newest state park, the cave entrance on Chestnut Ridge above Fairchance was discovered in the late 18th century. The property changed hands several times over the years, and David Cale’s grandfather owned it for a time with the first tours beginning in 1964. David and Lillian Cale bought it from Donald Shoemaker in 1986 and have operated it ever since.
“This cave follows the slope of the mountain,” Cale said about downward grade cut by springs channeling toward Fairchance.
The caverns, which have four miles of pathways and are the deepest in Pennsylvania, are closed to the public from October until mid-April due to the sizable bat population that calls it home, which is the largest in the northeast. There are multiple guided tour options that range from walkable to deep depths, which cost different prices. The conservancy will continue to manage the caverns and tours, which Cale said will save the state money as the DCNR focuses on making improvements to the surface.
As the press conference wrapped up, Shapiro quipped that this is likely the deepest underground he’s ever fielded questions from reporters.
“This will probably be the coolest place to have a press conference. I wish you all luck getting out,” Shapiro said with a laugh.
The cave portion of Laurel Caverns State Park will open to the public April 22. More information on the state park can be found by going to www.pa.gov/agencies/dcnr or www.laurelcaverns.com.