Wildwood Park was established in 1907 for recreation and to deter flood waters of Paxton Creek away from the City of Harrisburg. The dam, outlet structures and lake provided over 100 years of community flood protection but are in need of modernization. The 90 acre lake that was once 4 foot deep has filled with sediment.
About Wildwood Park:
- Wildwood Park attracts 115,000 annual visitors on trails & over 30,000 Nature Center visitors
- Includes an active Friends group with 350 members
- Provides educational programs reaching 15,000 each year
- Offers 229 acres in Harrisburg with 6 miles of trails including 1 mile of accessible boardwalk
- Contains a 2-mile segment of the Capital Area Greenbelt
- Fulfills multiple flood control, stormwater, green space and recreational uses
What Has Been Done So Far?
Restoration efforts have been in motion since 2010. Below is a listing of projects, plans and efforts in Wildwood Park and throughout Paxton Creek watershed – all help reach the goal of providing increases in water quality and flood protection while maintaining optimal recreation areas and diverse wildlife habitat.
2010 – Modification of the Morning Glory outlet to address flooding
2015 – Wildwood Lake Restoration Feasibility Study.
2017 – Wildwood Lake Partnership to determine viable funding sources
2018 – Paxton Creek Restoration Master Plan
2019 – Streambank Stabilization Project completed
Easily observed from the Nature Center bird viewing windows, a 200-foot section of Paxton Creek’s deeply eroded streambank was restored. Streambank Stabilization
2019 – Awarded Wildwood Restoration Design and Permitting grant
2019 – Joint Pollutant Reduction Plan
2021 – Applied for US Congressional funding for Wildwood Restoration (not awarded)
2022 – Completed Wildwood Restoration Design and Permitting
This project was implemented to accomplish the permitting & design of select dredging and restoration in Wildwood Lake. It was design only, not construction; three construction phases were planned. Project Brochure
2022 – Public Meeting on Wildwood Restoration (watch the recorded meeting below)
2023 – Awarded DEP Growing Greener grant for Phase 1A construction – Paxton Creek Stream Stabilization
2024 – Amended Wildwood Restoration Environmental Assessment & re-submitted to the various governing authorities
Next Steps:
- Stream Stabilization Construction – work to include removal of gravel bar, regrade and stabilize 600 feet of Paxton Creek streambank downstream from the Paxton Creek Bridge to restore exceptional value, forested wetlands; restore natural stream flow and reduce streambank erosion.
- Secure funding for select dredging and restoration.
FAQS
What do you think should happen to Wildwood Lake? Email your thoughts to wwstaff@dauphincounty.gov.
