Last week, the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources State Parks Director John Hallas and State Forester Seth Cassell visited Keystone State Park in Westmoreland County to celebrate the park’s selection as USA Today’s 10 Best Readers’ Choice Awards top fall foliage destination in the U.S.

“I am very proud to be here today celebrating Keystone State Park’s selection as the top location to view fall foliage in the nation,” Hallas said. “We are happy to have this designation and look forward to seeing visitors, old and new alike, taking in the sights along the lake and trails at Keystone. Thank you to all of the voters who helped make this designation possible.”

We will not disagree with the choice. However, we can’t help but feel a bit slighted.

In Warren County, at this time, the landscape is wonderful.

Consider the natural wonder and resources these sights bring each year. As the state department noted: Beyond the beauty Pennsylvania’s trees provide for annual fall foliage viewing, these trees are critical to providing clean air and water across the state. The commonsense 2023-24 bipartisan budget signed into law by Gov. Josh Shapiro, provides $112 million to maintain and improve infrastructure in parks and forests, which will help enhance the experience of visiting public lands.

In the latest Fall Foliage report, the Warren County region was at the peak viewing season. Color us impressed.