Just northeast of the City of Lebanon proper lies 153 acres of water and woodland in the form of Stoever’s Dam Park. Here’s what LebTown saw on a recent excursion to the park, located at 946 Miller Street.
All photos by Will Trostel.
The park’s most obvious feature is the 23.5-acre lake created by the dam. A 1.5-mile trail winds around the banks of the lake and crosses over the dam itself, located at the southern end of the V-shaped body of water. The park is home to a few woodland animals, waterfowl, and fish, most famously the trout that draw hundreds of fishers in springtime. The Nature Barn, located at the park entrance on Miller Street, is the perfect place to learn more about the park’s wildlife.
Boating and fishing on the lake are permitted and the loop trail is multi-use for walkers, runners, and cyclists. Friendly dogs are also welcome, provided that owners clean up after their pets. The City of Lebanon has also allowed camping on the grounds of the park, which is especially popular in the springtime during trout season.
Visitors can find the Lebanon Community Theatre at the northern end of the park, inside the refurbished Willman barn. The park also contains softball fields and a pavilion.
Stoever’s Dam — the dam itself — was built in the 1820s as part of the elaborate Union Canal waterway system. Water from the lake was used to continuously maintain the water level during operation. John Stoever, the man who lends his name to the park, bought the land from the Light family in 1821. The City of Lebanon began purchasing parcels of the land starting in 1966 from its owner at the time, the Bethlehem Steel Corporation.
With its fish populations, fields and trails, and all-around natural beauty, Stoever’s Dam Park is one of the City of Lebanon’s greatest recreational assets and an excellent spot for any local who wants to see a bit of nature right in their backyard.
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