HARRISBURG, Pa. — The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources on Friday announced it's expanding a program that offers free sunscreen to visitors at state park beaches and pools across the commonwealth.
The announcement from DCNR Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn comes ahead of National Sunscreen Day on May 27.
"Thousands of visitors will spend time at state parks this Memorial Day weekend and it is important to remember that protection from potentially harmful ultraviolet rays is key when spending extended time outdoors," Dunn said in a press release. "Thank you to the Department of Health and Impact Melanoma for continued support and expansion of this important program at our state parks. I encourage all Pennsylvanians to make sunscreen a part of their outdoors routine to ensure a fun and safe summer."
Experts say daily application of a sunscreen with a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of 30 or higher can aid in prevention of skin cancer. Health officials report one in 40 Pennsylvanians will be diagnosed with melanoma in their lifetime. More than 8,500 Americans are diagnosed with skin cancer each day.
Pole-mounted, battery-operated dispensers, supplying 30+ SPF Sun Station USA sunscreen applications, will be positioned at 52 state parks including:
- Bald Eagle
- Beltzville
- Bendigo
- Black Moshannon
- Blue Knob
- Caledonia
- Canoe Creek
- Chapman
- Clear Creek
- Codorus
- Colonel Denning
- Cowans Gap
- Frances Slocum
- French Creek
- Greenwood Furnace
- Gifford Pinchot
- Hickory Run
- Hills Creek
- Jennings Environmental Education Center
- Keystone
- Lackawanna
- Laurel Hill
- Little Buffalo
- Lyman Run
- Marsh Creek
- Memorial lake
- Moraine
- Mt. Pisgah
- Neshaminy
- Nockamixon
- Nolde Forest
- Ohiopyle
- Parker Dam
- Pine Grove Furnace
- Poe Valley
- Presque Isle
- Prince Gallitzin
- Promised Land
- Racoon Creek
- Ralph Stover
- RB Winter
- Ricketts Glen
- Ridley Creek
- Shawnee
- Shikellamy
- Sizerville
- Tobyhanna
- Tuscarora
- Tyler
- Whipple Dam
- Worlds End
- Yellow Creek
State parks are great summer destinations for swimming, boating, camping, and other outdoor recreation opportunities. Pets are welcome at state parks in designated areas, including:
- Day-use areas
- Designated sites in campgrounds
- Designated cabins, camping cottages, and yurts
- All areas not otherwise closed to pets
“We expect to see millions of visitors at state parks this summer and I encourage everyone to take advantage of the free sunscreen while enjoying our beautiful state parks,” State Parks Director John Hallas said.
DCNR’s sunscreen program began in 2017 when its Bureau of State Parks began supplying free sunscreen at Codorus and Pine Grove Furnace state parks. The program now has the potential to reach an estimated 3 million visitors this season.
A cancer prevention fund from the Department of Health (DOH) covers the costs of the sunscreen. DCNR continues to pursue opportunities to partner with local health organizations and healthcare system providers to cover future costs and to further expand the program.
Visit DCNR’s website for more information about state parks and check out DCNR’s Calendar of Events for events on public lands.
