Even though winter weather has hit Mercer County, there's a lot of activity at Maurice K. Goddard State Park, including the formation of a new group and a nearly finished trail.

Friends of Goddard is a non-profit group made up of local residents whose goal is to promote the park's recreation, hunting and educational programs and to promote environmental awareness, said Friends of Goddard President Becky Piccolin.

So far, about 15 to 20 people have joined the group, which formed under the Pennsylvania Park and Forest Foundation. The foundation allows private, non-profit groups like Friends of Goddard to pay for improvements to parks and promote conservation efforts of publicly owned property.

Mrs. Piccolin said she and her husband, Anthony, were asked by Donald Campbell, park manager, to help start the group because the couple are "avid volunteers" at Goddard.

So far things are moving along well for the Friends of Goddard.

"It's great," Mrs. Piccolin said. "There's a lot of support. A lot of people think it's a great idea. There's a lot of enthusiasm and willingness to help."

Friends of Goddard met Thursday and were presented with a $500 check from Lee McCoy on behalf of the Sandy Creek Conservancy. The Sandy Creek Conservancy was formed many years ago when Sandy Creek used to flood the town of Sandy Lake, McCoy said. He said the conservancy pushed for a dam, which created the lake.

The conservancy then began working with Ivan McKeever, creator of the McKeever Environmental Center, McCoy said.

Now the Sandy Creek Conservancy gives scholarships to students to attend McKeever and funds other environmental efforts. McCoy said the group wanted to donate start-up money to Friends of Goddard because they approve of what the group is doing.

"It just sounded like a great thing," McCoy said. "It can lead to all kinds of good things. This whole area's an environmental paradise."

Though Friends of Goddard has met only three times, they've already got a major project under way -- the Pioneer Frolic.

The event, scheduled for June 28 and 29, will center around life along the Sandy Creek Valley during the period from 1790 to 1840 and will feature demonstrations from artisans and crafters who focus their work on that period.

Another big event will take place at the park before the Pioneer Frolic: The new trail will open.

Construction of the trail -- which will be used for biking, hiking, snowmobiling and cross-country skiing -- began in February 2002, Campbell said. He said construction should finish by the end of this month.

The 12-mile loop won't be open for activity until April 15, Campbell said. He said signs need to be erected and some punch list items completed before the public can enjoy the trail.

Mrs. Piccolin said she's had a chance to see the trail and it's "very interesting." Unlike many trails that are flat and fairly straight, the new trail at Goddard has dips, valleys and curves, she said.

Anyone interested in joining Friends of Goddard can call Becky Piccolin at (724) 588-1708.

You can e-mail Herald Staff Writer Kristen Garrett at kgarrett@sharonherald.com