“Robert’s strong leadership and willingness to take on a new challenge is highly valued,” Dunn said. “We are looking forward to seeing the impact he will have shaping the operations at the Tuscarora complex and believe his skillset will be a tremendous addition to the community.”
Sweeney will oversee 1,618-acre Tuscarora, as well as 1,772-acre Locust Lake State Park. Each park features a lake bearing the park’s name, as well as fishing, hiking, camping, and other recreation opportunities.
“This new role is a fun challenge and I am excited for the opportunity to make a difference at these parks,” Sweeney said. “I can already tell these are beloved parks that are very important to the locals and beyond.”
Sweeney recently served as the manager at Chapman State Park. He previously worked as an assistant park manager at Nockamixon State Park Bucks County. Sweeney is a Camp Hill, Pennsylvania native who said he always wanted to work for DCNR. He earned an undergraduate degree from State University New York (SUNY) College of Environmental Science and Forestry.
Following graduation, Sweeney moved to California where he worked as an outdoor educator. He returned to Pennsylvania and worked for the Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps in 2018, which he credits for helping build a better understanding of how state parks operate.