Jackson Ramsey, 6, of Ellwood City reacts after hooking a bluegill on his fishing line at Moraine State Park on Saturday. “This is the first fish I've ever caught!” Jackson shouted after reeling in his catch.

State parks across Pennsylvania, including those within Butler County, face an increasing need for infrastructure and maintenance funding as 1970s-era park structures age over time.

According to a recent DCNR statement, Pennsylvania has a documented need for more than $1.4 billion overall for “infrastructure repairs and improvements” in the state park system. These needs include addressing regular wear-and-tear, dealing with the impact of extreme weather and climate change, and keeping up with an increased demand for outdoor recreation.

The needs of state parks in Butler County are included in that number, according to Department of Conservation and Natural Resources press secretary Wesley Robinson.

“We want to make sure (Pennsylvanians) are able to enjoy the outdoors on public lands, and we want to make sure they're accessible to everyone, and that they're safe to recreate on,” Robinson said.

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