The Tiadaghton State Forest officially grew by about 362 acres recently, with the completion of a purchase from the Northcentral Pennsylvania Conservancy. The new tract is part of the former Smithgall and Ging Farm along Wallis Run Road about four miles north of Route 973. The February 4th transfer of the title to the state wrapped up a deal the conservancy had been working on for nearly three years, executive director Renee Carey said. Bringing the acreage into public ownership guarantees public access to Jacoby Falls, one of the county?s highest waterfalls and a popular outing spot for Boy Scouts and hikers, Carey noted. It also protects wildlife habitat and open space for recreation. Tiadaghton State Forest District plans to improve a parking area and build an access trail on the property, which had been under district management since it was bought from private owners a year ago. Jersey Shore State Bank helped arrange the financing for the conservancy to purchase the land and hold it while the state?s complex land buying process unwound, Carey said. It is the largest parcel in Lycoming County that the Williamsport-based conservancy has acquired since it was founded in 1990, although it worked on larger deals in neighboring counties. Numerous individuals and organizations partnered with the conservancy to make the purchase possible, she said. Contributing were Alfred Buck the Alpine Club of Williamsport, Loyalsock Creek Men?s Club, the Susquehanna Longbeards Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation, the Susquehanna Chapter of Trout Unlimited and Dr Vincent DiSalvo and family. A dedication ceremony is being planned for March 27.
This article was in the Williamsport Sun Gazette 2.17.02