Tyler State Park (Pennsylvania)
Tyler State Park is a Pennsylvania state park on in Newtown and Northampton Townships, Bucks County, Pennsylvania in the United States. Park roads, trails, and facilities are carefully nestled within the original farm and woodland setting. Neshaminy Creek meanders through the park, dividing the land into several sections. Before becoming a state park, the land was owned by Mr. and Mrs. George F. Tyler who purchased the land between 1919 and 1928. Their first purchase was the Solly Farm, currently leased to Hostelling International at the north end of the park. The Solly House served as  the Tyler's country home until the George F. Tyler Mansion was constructed. The mansion is now the administration building of the Bucks County Community College. The Tylers developed an Ayrshire dairy herd. In addition, they raised poultry, sheep and pigs, and had a stable of about 25 fine riding horses. The croplands were mainly used to supply feed for the livestock. Old original stone dwellings in the park stand as fine examples of early farm dwellings of rural Pennsylvania. Some structures date back to the early 18th century. A date stone (1775) can be found on a house located  by the bicycle trail north of the pedestrian causeway in the center of the park. Ten original farm dwellings are currently being leased as private residences. The land for the park was acquired as part of the Project 70 Land Acquisition and Borrowing Act, with the governor approving the acquisition on November 17, 1964. The park was formally dedicated on May 25, 1974. Tyler State Park contains a 36-hole disc golf course and a former landfill, which is now mainly used for archaeological digs by students from Council Rock School District elementary schools. Tyler State Park is home to  many different species of birds. The creek is home to water snakes, turtles, and eels. The secluded sections of the park are home to foxes, deer, beavers, wild turkey, rabbits, and coyotes. One of the main attractions in the park is the Schofield Ford Covered Bridge, originally built in 1874. The bridge burned down due to arson on October 7, 1991, but was rebuilt with raised funds and reopened on September 7, 1997. Climate. According to the Trewartha climate classification system, Tyler State Park has a Temperate Continental climate ("Dc") with hot summers ("a"), cold winters ("o") and year-around  precipitation. "Dcao" climates are characterized by at least one month having an average mean temperature ≤ , four to seven months with an average mean temperature ≥ , at least one month with an average mean temperature ≥ and no significant precipitation difference between seasons. Although summers are typically slightly humid at Tyler State Park, episodes of heat and high humidity can occur with heat index values > . Since 1981, the highest air temperature was on 07/22/2011, and the highest average mean dew point was on 08/13/2016. The average wettest month is July which corresponds with the annual peak in thunderstorm activity . Since 1981, the wettest calendar day was 6.46 inches (164 mm) on 08/27/2011. During the winter months, the plant hardiness zone is 7a with an average annual extreme minimum air temperature of . Since 1981, the coldest air temperature was on 01/22/1984. Episodes of extreme cold and wind can occur with wind chill values < . The average annual snowfall (Nov-Apr) is between 24 and 30 inches (61 and 76 cm). Ice storms and large snowstorms depositing ≥ 12 inches (30 cm) occur once every few years, particularly during nor’easters from December through February. Ecology. According to the A. W. Kuchler  U.S. potential natural vegetation types, Tyler State Park would have dominant vegetation type of Appalachian Oak ("104") with a dominant vegetation form of Eastern Hardwood Forest ("25"). Nearby state parks. The following state parks are within of Tyler State Park: