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All of Them: A Journey Through Pennsylvania’s Parks and Forests with Joseph F. Brosky
Think Outside with the Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Foundation
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“It's amazing... when you get together with people at a campground or a park, there’s no barriers to participation. Everybody just enjoys being out and about.”
Joe Brosky's retirement began with a discovery that would reshape his next five years: a Pennsylvania Parks and Forest Foundation passport he picked up at the Laurel Hill State Park's gift shop. Our host, Marci Mowery, chats with him in this episode of Think Outside.
This chance encounter at the beginning of June 2018 launched Joe and his wife Donna on a quest to visit all 124 state parks and 20 forest districts. It’s a journey that reveals how Pennsylvania's public lands serve as vital connectors across generations and abilities!
The Broskys' experience is just one example of a broader phenomenon of retirees reclaiming outdoor spaces as platforms for community engagement. At 73, Joe transformed his park experiences into "Cup of Joe with Joe," virtual hiking presentations through the Virtual Senior Academy that bring nature to homebound seniors.
His oldest participant, his 91-year-old mother-in-law, is a clear-cut example of how technology can democratize access to Pennsylvania's natural heritage when physical limitations prevent direct visitation.
Research confirms what Joe discovered intuitively: that even viewing nature photographs or videos delivers measurable health benefits, from lowered blood pressure to stress relief. It’s an insight that drives his mission to share virtual park experiences with seniors from Wisconsin to Washington, D.C., all free of charge!
Yet the most profound impact emerges through intergenerational transmission. Joe's kayaking expedition with his grandson to Allegheny Islands State Park created what Joe calls "a gift that keeps giving."
Through his book and advocacy work, Joe hopes to challenge assumptions about outdoor accessibility. Parks aren't just for the athletically ambitious; they're equally valuable for folks who are simply itching for a picnic with a view.
In democratizing these spaces through multiple access points, that is, physical, virtual, and literary, Joe is living proof of how Pennsylvania's parks foster community like nothing else, no matter your age, location, or physical ability.
Key Topics:
- Discovering the Passport Challenge (02:31)
- DCNR Staff Going the Extra Mile at Big Spring (04:59)
- Writing the Guidebook for Others (07:57)
- Virtual Senior Academy Outreach (10:33)
- Making Parks Accessible Across Ages (11:59)
- Intergenerational Kayaking Memory (16:13)
- Parks as Community Connectors (17:40)
Resources:
🎧 Listen to the Think Outside Podcast on Spotify, Apple, or your favorite app while on the go! New episodes drop bi-weekly on Mondays, and you may occasionally find a bonus episode, as well!
The Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Foundation inspires stewardship of YOUR state parks and forests through volunteerism, education, recreation, and philanthropy.
Learn more, find events, download outdoor resources, and get involved!
👉 Sign up for our weekly e-newsletter
🎥 Watch outdoor tips and stories on our YouTube channel
📸 Follow the podcast on Instagram
🎶 Podcast music provided by Evan Mongeau
📱 Follow PPFF on:
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