For 30 years beginning around 1950, Colerain State Park along Spruce Creek was my family’s favorite picnic area. It was clearly marked and maintained as Commonwealth property. Private cottages were along the Route 45 side. The land on the Rothrock Forest side of the stream was public.

On hot summer days, the park was full of families enjoying the cool rustic beauty and cold creek water. Picnic tables, pavilions, restrooms, grounds upkeep, etc., were maintained by public employees. A ranger station was in the park.

There were two swimming areas: a deep one downstream with a sandy beach and a shallow one upstream safer for small children.

A stream-side path through woods led to ice mines and a swinging rope out into the creek. Fishing was allowed. The trailhead to Indian Lookout begins in the park.

Gradually, over the course of many years, things began to change. Sections of creekside began to be posted piece by piece until eventually, the public no longer had creek access.

Picnic tables, restrooms, pavilions slowly went away. The Colerain State Park sign disappeared. This all took years, as if it was meant to not attract attention.

I wrote a letter of inquiry to the Commonwealth. No reply.

The bridge, a gravel public parking lot, the trailhead and the state forest road are still open to the public.

Before the postings, there was never any dispute from cottage owners claiming the public should be denied use of the creek.

I encourage the judges to side with DCNR to reinstate public access to property that clearly belonged to the Commonwealth.

Lee Appleman

Altoona