In 2007, the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) awarded the Wild Waterways Conservancy (WWC) a Growing Greener II grant to use towards acquiring 86 acres of land at the confluence of Connoquenessing Creek and the Beaver River in Lawrence and Beaver counties. Other partners— including Lawrence County, Wild Waterways Conservancy, and the Heinz Endowment—provided matching funds.
This land is referred to locally as Rock Point because it was the site of Rock Point Park, an amusement park built in the early 20th century. It is a biologically diverse area, classified in the Lawrence County Natural Heritage Inventory as being of notable significance. It contains a large contiguous forest that is home to endangered wildlife, and in spring the display of wildflowers at Rock Point is outstanding. Additionally, the land provides four continuous miles of riparian lands in permanent protection.
The mission of WWC is to protect and enhance the natural resources of the Connoquenessing and Slippery Rock Creek watersheds. The conservancy preserves ecologically important areas through outright purchase of lands, donation of lands, and by other means including conservation easements. WWC has established an impressive record of land preservation, protecting more that 500 acres in Lawrence, Butler, and Beaver counties.
