PORTERSVILLE, PA. These parks are as different as night and day

McConnels Mill is rugged, while Moraine State Park is smooth and open.
By REBECCA SLOAN
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
PORTERSVILLE, Pa. -- About 40 miles east of Youngstown, along the Pleasant Valley Road in Lawrence County, sit sister state parks that are as different from each other as night and day.
The first park, called McConnells Mill, offers rugged hiking trails that hug the steep banks of Slippery Rock Creek Gorge.
The terrain is steep, the forests are dense and the white water that rushes through the creek is dangerously fast.
Mighty boulders and sharp crevices add to the park's untamed flavor, and an 1860s gristmill and an 1870s covered bridge lend a hint of nostalgia to the park's rugged beauty.
The terrain of the second park, called Moraine State Park, is smooth and open, with rolling meadows that melt into a meandering Lake Arthur.
Boats glide effortlessly across the gentle waves, and bicyclists speed along paved trails.
When standing on the serene shores of Lake Arthur, you find it hard to believe that the rushing white-water rapids of McConnells Mill State Park are just a few miles away, but indeed they are -- something travelers will be glad for.
That's because visiting these two state parks is sort of like getting two for the price of one.
You'll drive the same distance but will get to enjoy two very beautiful but very different places.
MCCONNELLS MILL STATE PARK
McConnells Mill State Park consists of 2,546 acres and is open from sunrise to sunset year-round.
The park's scenic Slippery Rock Creek Gorge totals 930 acres and is a National Natural Landmark.
A retreating ice age glacier molded the gorge, and its steep walls are rife with waterfalls and unusual fauna.
Park visitors can learn more about the geology of the gorge by picking up a "Trail of Geology" brochure at the park office.
Several rugged hiking trails traverse the gorge, and one trail that starts near the park's old gristmill leads to a footbridge at the base of a cascading waterfall.
The park's old gristmill was built in 1868 and was once used to process corn, oats, wheat and buckwheat.
In 1875, Thomas McConnell purchased the mill and improved it by replacing the mill's water wheel with water turbines and its grinding stones with rolling mills, making it one of the first rolling mills in the United States.
The mill closed in 1928.
Covered bridge
The covered bridge at McConnells Mill was built in 1874 and is one of two in Lawrence County.
Located near the old gristmill, the old, red bridge spans a scenic portion of the gorge and is still stout enough to bear the weight of automobiles.
White-water enthusiasts flock to McConnells Mill, and it's not uncommon to glimpse a brightly colored kayak and its adventurous rider bobbing downstream.
Although kayaking, rafting and canoeing are popular activities at the park, the park does not offer raft, kayak or canoe rentals.
Rock climbing and rappelling are also popular at the park, but for experienced climbers only. (Rock climbers have sustained serious injuries, especially at a very rugged area near Breakneck Bridge.)
The park also offers two picnic areas with charcoal grills. The picnic grounds are shaded but do not include pavilions.
MORAINE STATE PARK
The beautiful property that is now Moraine State Park was once a wasteland of abandoned coalmines, coal strippings and polluted streams.
Prior to the park's dedication in 1970, many deep mines were sealed, several strip mines were backfilled, and 422 gas and oil wells were plugged.
A 3,225-acre lake was also constructed with water pure enough for fish to live in and people to swim in.
The end result was a lush state park where lovers of the outdoors could swim, fish, boat, hike, bike and observe wildlife.
Walleyes, pike, catfish, crappies and bass abound in Lake Arthur's peaceful waters, and boats with up to 10 horsepower motors are permitted on the lake.
Park visitors who don't own a boat can rent one at the park's Crescent Bay Boat Rental.
Sailing is also very popular on Lake Arthur, and many sailboat races occur during summer.
The park includes two swimming beaches with lifeguards on duty daily from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
Park trails
The park's longest hiking trail totals 14 miles, and two of the park's shorter trails welcome cross country skiers during winter.
A paved 7-mile bike trail snakes along the north shore of Lake Arthur, and bike rentals are available weekends during April, May, September and October and daily from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
The park also offers a 6-mile mountain bike trail.
The park boasts 11 cabins available for year-round rental. Each cabin has two bedrooms that will accommodate up to six people, one bathroom and a kitchen as well as a private dock on the shores of Lake Arthur. Cabin guests must bring their own linens and cookware.
Birdwatchers flock to the park to glimpse an abundance of waterfowl and shore birds.
Moraine's winter activities include ice-skating, cross-country skiing, ice boating, ice fishing, snowmobiling and sledding.
XFor more information about Moraine or McConnells Mill state parks call (724) 368-8811 or visit www.state.pa.us on the Web.