U.S. Army Corps partially opening Crawford County lake facilities May 22

Some facilities at Woodcock Lake Park in Crawford County will open Memorial Day weekend, but the campground will remain closed for the summer, the Army Corps of Engineers in Pittsburgh said.

On March 18, the U.S. Army Corps shut down all facilities at the park, which includes a 333-acre lake near Saegertown, due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The park’s boat launch, walking trails, outflow day-use area and parking areas are slated to open May 22, according to the corps.

However, the campground with 111 sites will remain closed for the 2020 season, said Col. Andrew Short, commander of the Pittsburgh District.

Other facilities at Woodcock including a swimming beach, picnic shelters and the overlook day use area, will be evaluated for potential reopening later.

“Throughout the recreation season, the district will continue to evaluate the safety and use of every recreation amenity in each park we manage,” Short said.

“If we see that a reopening creates a risk to the safety of our staff or the public, we might temporarily close that service, but if we see that we can responsibly reopen a service, we will evaluate the opportunity to do so,” he said.

For information regarding Woodcock Creek Lake, which formerly was Colonel Crawford Park, call 814-763-4422.

Pittsburgh District’s 26,000 square miles include portions of western Pennsylvania, northern West Virginia, eastern Ohio, western Maryland and southwestern New York. It includes more than 328 miles of navigable waterways, 23 navigation locks and dams, 16 multi-purpose flood-control reservoirs, 42 local flood-protection projects, and other projects to protect and enhance the nation’s water resources infrastructure and environment.