| The Fort Hunter Conservancy consists of a 153 acre plot of wooded mountain land generously donated in 1986 to the Board of Trustees for Fort Hunter by Dr. J. Wister Meigs ". . . to be maintained as a nature area in perpetuity." | |
| The property is open to the public for day
hiking only. No overnight camping or fires are permitted. Such
activities as birding and enjoying local flora and fauna are suggested. As
with any public property, you are asked to leave the land better than
found it. Because of the proximity of this property to
State Game Lands, extreme caution must be
used during hunting season. Of the old 900 acre Fort Hunter estate, this was the farthest tract from the Mansion. Originally called the Chuckey Hill Tract, it is no longer contiguous to the Fort Hunter Park Property. Upon receiving ownership the Board of Trustees hired a forester to develop a management plan for the property. |
 Enjoy the wildlife on nature hikes in the Conservancy. Bird-watching is favorite past time for our visitors. |
The currently poor condition of the forest was caused by clear cut timbering sometime in the beginning of this century. A restoration plan was instituted which included foresting with the intention of developing a more diverse and appropriate stand of deciduous trees and undergrowth. One of the Conservancy's boundaries to the south is the YWCA's Camp Reily given by Helen Boas Reily, the last private occupant of the Mansion, and named in her honor. Another boundary to the north is State Game Lands Number 211. |
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 Try hiking through nearly untouched forests, just minutes away from Downtown Harrisburg. |
This 41,444 acre tract includes the tops of
Second and Third Mountains as well as parts of Stony Creek and
Clarks Creek valleys. The majority of other boundaries are shared with
private land owners whose rights to private property must be respected. |
Help to preserve the future of this natural habitat. Always be sure to leave the Conservancy as you found it . . . |
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| http://www.forthunter.org © 2001 Fort Hunter Mansion and Park. All rights reserved. | |