Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn announced the appointment of Marisa Sprowles as manager of Washington Crossing Historic Park. Sprowles is the former assistant manager at Raccoon Creek State Park in Beaver County.
“Having experience with both the National Park Service and our own Bureau of State Parks, Marisa is a natural fit for this position at a heavily visited park where historical outreach and educational programs are emphasized,” Dunn said. “After honing her managerial and resource skills at Raccoon Creek, she can only add to the visitor experience at Washington Crossing.”
The new manager oversees the newest of Pennsylvania’s state parks, which was transferred to DCNR from the Pennsylvania Historic and Museum Commission in early 2016. A National Historic Landmark, rich with historic buildings and sites, the 500-acre park lies along the Delaware River and is within Delaware Canal State Park.
Recreational opportunities include river access for boating; fishing; walking trails; and pavilions for picnicking. The park provides historical and environmental education programs, as well as hosting special events and reenactments.
In her new position, Sprowles will work closely with many volunteer and stakeholder groups, including the Friends of Washington Crossing Historic Park, which currently operates the visitor center; and Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve, which is included on the property.
“I am honored to work with others at Washington Crossing who are as passionate as I am about learning from history, conservation of nature and celebration of community,” Sprowles said.
Sprowles succeeds Jennifer Park, who was named manager of Cowans Gap State Park in Franklin County.
The new manager began her Bureau of State Parks career working as a ranger at Maurice K. Goddard State Park in Mercer County. After entering the bureau’s Region 3 manager trainee program based in Bedford County, Sprowles was assigned as assistant park manager at Raccoon Creek. With the National Park Service, she served as a ranger with the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area and as a reaction aid and lifeguard at Virgin Islands National Park.
A native of Toledo, Ohio, Sprowles holds a bachelor’s degree in American History from Ohio University and a master’s degree in parks and resource management from Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania.
She and her husband are the parents of a 2-year-old son, Beowulf.
For more information on Washington Crossing Historic Park, call 1-888-PA-PARKS, from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Saturday, or visit here.
