Tuscarora to see free sunscreen station, as Shapiro administration announces expansion of program at state parks

Republican & Herald, Pottsville, Pa.
·2 min read

May 29—Cindy Adams Dunn, secretary of the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, has announced the expansion of a program offering visitors free sunscreen at state park beaches and swimming pools throughout Pennsylvania.

The announcement came ahead of National Sunscreen Day on Friday.

"As the weather warms, it is critical people take the necessary steps to protect themselves from potentially harmful ultraviolet rays when spending extended time outdoors," Dunn said in a release.

Experts, according to the release, say daily application of a sunscreen with a Sun Protection Factor of 30 or higher, can aid in prevention of skin cancer, as more than 8,500 Americans are diagnosed with the affliction daily.

Gov. Josh Shapiro, in his first budget address, said DCNR provides sunscreen to help Pennsylvanians enjoy nature safely.

Pole-mounted, battery-operated dispensers, supplying 30-plus SPF BrightGuard sunscreen applications, will be positioned at 46 state parks, including Tuscarora in Schuylkill County and regionally at Ricketts Glen and Shikellamy.

However, the release does not specifically mention other state parks in or partially in Schuylkill, such as Locust Lake and Swatara.

An email to the listed media contact, Wesley Robinson, at werobinson@pa.gov, brought the following reply: "They are not included, unfortunately. Sorry about that."

The state parks specifically listed in the release include: Bald Eagle, Beltzville, Black Moshannon, Blue Knob, Caledonia, Canoe Creek, Chapman, Clear Creek, Codorus, Cowans Gap, Frances Slocum, French Creek, Greenwood Furnace, Gifford Pinchot, Hills Creek, Keystone, Lackawanna, Laurel Hill, Little Buffalo, 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, Worlds End and Yellow Creek.

A cancer prevention fund from the state Department of Health covers the costs of the sunscreen, and DCNR is pursuing opportunities to partner with local health organizations and healthcare system providers to cover future costs and to expand the program.

"We are again extremely grateful that the state Department of Health and Impact Melanoma continue to support and help expand this important program at our state parks," Dunn added in the release.

For more about DCNR, go online to www.dcnr.pa.gov.