April 06, 2026 - Farmington, PA
Governor Josh Shapiro and Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn announced the opening of Laurel Caverns State Park with local leaders in Fayette County. Now the 125th state park and first subterranean state park in Commonwealth history, the Caverns will help expand Pennsylvania's outdoor recreation economy which contributed $20.4 billion to Pennsylvania's economy in 2024 and supported approximately 177,000 jobs.Pennsylvania's outdoor recreation industry is made up of 6,400 local parks - including 125 state parks - more than 14,000 miles of trails, and over 84,000 miles of waterways. Under the Shapiro Administration's leadership, the industry has added $3.5 billion and approximately 12,000 new jobs to the Commonwealth's economy."Parks like Laurel Caverns give our kids a new place to learn, our families a place to make memories, and all of us a chance to get away, take a breath, and just enjoy nature," said Governor Shapiro. "Pennsylvania's state parks are an incredible asset to our Commonwealth and our economy - and when we invest in outdoor recreation, we not only create good paying jobs, but by bringing people together, we also invest in the wellbeing of our neighbors and the future of our Commonwealth."List of SpeakersCorie Eckman, Park Manager of Laurel Caverns State ParkGovernor Josh ShapiroSecretary Cindy Adams Dunn, Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural ResourcesVince Vicites, Fayette County CommissionerMuriel Nuttall, Executive Director of the Fayette Chamber of Commerce
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