Wayside Picnic areas on rural state highways

[Beeper1]

The wayside pcnic area, a.k.a the "Roadside Table", is a slowly disappearing thing from many state highway systems.  Not many people use most of them and they are at the bottom of the priority list for maintenance for many state DOTs with shrinking budgets.  I'm looking to put together a list of those that remain. 

Starting with Connecticut, which used to have many of them. While many have closed over the years there are still quite a few left.  Here is a still incomplete list, including the names of the areas as listed in the 2010 state highway log:

Indiantown Picnic Area - CT-2 in North Stonington - Closed and gated off since the late 1990s.
Gristmill Picnic Area - CT-4 in Sharon - Open
Furnace Brook Picnic Area - CT-4 in Cornwall - Open
Riverside Picnic Area - US-7 at Redding/Ridgefield town line - Open
name unknown - CT-10 in Hampden north of CT-22 - Open
French River Picnic Area - CT-12 in Thompson - Open
Old Voluntown Pound Picnic Area - CT-14 in Sterling - Open
Pitch Pine Grove Picnic Area - Jct of CT-14 and CT-14A in Sterling - Open
Hitchcock Chair Picnic Area - CT-20 in Barkhamstead - Open
General Sedgewick Picnic Area - CT-43 in Cornwall - Open
name unknown - US-44 in Canton near Cherry Brook - Open
MacDonald Picnic Area/Overlook - US-44 on Avon Montain - Closed off since early 2000s
Five Mile River Picnic Area - US-44 in Putnam - Open
Bee Brook Picnic Area - CT-47 in Washington - Open
Schermerhorn Picnic Area - CT-63 in Litchfield - Open
Wadhams Grove Picnic Area - CT-63 in Goshen - Open
Shepherds Haven Picnnic Area - CT-64 in Middlebury - Open
Hodge Park Picnic Area - CT-67 in Roxbury - Open
Music vale Picnic Area - CT-82 in Salem - Open
Shady Brook Picnic Area - CT-85 in Salem - Open
Raymond Hill Picnic Area - Jct of CT-85 and CT-207 in Hebron - Open
Cobble Stone Picnic Area - CT-128 in Cornwall - Open
Knolwood Picnic Area - CT-131 in Thompson - Open
Seven Falls Picnic Area - CT-154 in Haddam - Open
Shore Road Picnic Area - CT-156 in Old Lyme - Open
Folly Brook Works Picnic Area - CT-165 in Preston - Open
name unknown - CT-168 in Suffield near Congamond Lake - Open
name unknown - CT-179 in Burlington - Open
Grayrock Picnic Area - CT-184 in Groton - Open
name unknown - US-202 in Washington - Open
Lebanon Town Pound Picnic Area - CT-207 in Lebanon - Open


I know there a few others I've seen out there that are not listed in the route log, so any additions are welcome.  Also any info on other states.  I know in the northeast that RI, Mass, and Maine have or had extensive systems of these.

[NE2]

from http://www.alpsroads.net/roads/fl/misc/

[Alps]

Oklahoma and/or Missouri have a similar system, but I couldn't find the sign I'm thinking of on my pages due to lack of familiarity with those states.

[briantroutman]

Pennsylvania's are marked by a rest area-like sign reading "PICNIC AREA - NO COMFORT FACILITIES". They're marked on the state map, and currently, the total count appears to be 13.

Road - Nearest Town - County
PA 120 - Glen Union - Clinton
PA 120 - Truman - Cameron
PA 29 - Evans Falls - Wyoming
PA 54 - Mausdale - Montour
US 11 - Hunlock Creek - Luzerne
US 15 - South Williamsport - Lycoming
US 15 - McKees Half Falls - Snyder
US 220 - Laporte - Sullivan
US 322 - Milroy - Mifflin
US 6 - Sylvania - Bradford
US 6 - Gaines - Tioga
US 6 - West Pike - Potter
US 6 - Mount Jewett - McKean

A quick glance at the 1960 state map shows that the network was about twice as large, although all of the current locations were in operation then.

This of course does not include the PA Turnpike's well-remembered roadside picnic tables, which I think are all gone by now. I mentioned them in this thread about "the disappearing roadside rest".

[froggie]

Mapmikey and I have Virginia waysides of past and present documented on VHP.

[bugo]

Oklahoma and/or Missouri have a similar system, but I couldn't find the sign I'm thinking of on my pages due to lack of familiarity with those states.

Oklahoma. Remember that pullover on OK 45?

[Brandon]

The roadside table without a toilet facility of any kind (outhouse, flush toilets) is pretty useless and worthless IMHO.  Illinois has several like this.  On the other hand, Michigan and Wisconsin have facilities at their roadside parks.

[agentsteel53]

I know New Mexico has picnic table waysides, and I believe they are without facilities.

there's one I recall on US-60 near Magdalena - I'll have to check on it when I am out there in December.

[hbelkins]

Kentucky used to have them extensively. Also trash cans. I remember lots of old black-on-white "Roadside Table 1/2 Mile" and "Litter Barrel 1/2 Mile" signs.

[PHLBOS]

Not 100% if this meets your criteria/definition for rural state highways but I was just at the Willington Rest Area off I-84 Westbound in CT and not only are picnic tables still there but there are even grills (for cooking) placed near each table.

OTOH, the current EMERGENCY PULL-OFF areas along the PA Turnpike used to have a couple picnic tables at each pull-off.  IIRC, the tables disappeared within the last 10(?) years.

[roadman]

Not 100% if this meets your criteria/definition for rural state highways but I was just at the Willington Rest Area off I-84 Westbound in CT and not only are picnic tables still there but there are even grills (for cooking) placed near each table.

OTOH, the current EMERGENCY PULL-OFF areas along the PA Turnpike used to have a couple picnic tables at each pull-off.  IIRC, the tables disappeared within the last 10(?) years.

The picnic tables were removed from the PA Turnpike emergency pulloff areas after the 1999 Burndt Cabins Greyhound bus crash - see http://www.ntsb.gov/doclib/reports/2000/HAR0001.pdf

[Brandon]

Not 100% if this meets your criteria/definition for rural state highways but I was just at the Willington Rest Area off I-84 Westbound in CT and not only are picnic tables still there but there are even grills (for cooking) placed near each table.

OTOH, the current EMERGENCY PULL-OFF areas along the PA Turnpike used to have a couple picnic tables at each pull-off.  IIRC, the tables disappeared within the last 10(?) years.

The picnic tables were removed from the PA Turnpike emergency pulloff areas after the 1999 Burndt Cabins Greyhound bus crash - see http://www.ntsb.gov/doclib/reports/2000/HAR0001.pdf

Reading the report, part of the takeaway message is that we need more rest areas.

[US81]

Texas has both "Rest Areas" with facilities and "Picnic Areas" with only tables and sometimes grills or pits. Downsizing is happening, though - the restrooms close and the rest area becomes a picnic area. There are even some where the picnic tables have been removed and it's just a "Parking" area. On I-35, there have recently been some large "Safety Rest Area"s opened with large restrooms, picnic areas, playgrounds, pet areas, wifi, maps, tourist info....

I love "discovering" picnic areas on rural highways. Often there's some scenic view or nice shady spot under a big old tree, maybe near a river.

[briantroutman]

The picnic tables were removed from the PA Turnpike emergency pulloff areas after the 1999 Burndt Cabins Greyhound bus crash - see http://www.ntsb.gov/doclib/reports/2000/HAR0001.pdf

They must have taken several years to do so, as I remember seeing (and using) these roadside picnic areas in the central section (particularly Carlisle to Breezewood) as late as 2007.

I think it's important to recognize that the picnic areas were marked as such and were separate from emergency pull-off areas. The NTSB report reiterates the PTCs criteria for picnic areas. which include being outside the highway's clear zone.

[jeffandnicole]

Not 100% if this meets your criteria/definition for rural state highways but I was just at the Willington Rest Area off I-84 Westbound in CT and not only are picnic tables still there but there are even grills (for cooking) placed near each table.

OTOH, the current EMERGENCY PULL-OFF areas along the PA Turnpike used to have a couple picnic tables at each pull-off.  IIRC, the tables disappeared within the last 10(?) years.

The picnic tables were removed from the PA Turnpike emergency pulloff areas after the 1999 Burndt Cabins Greyhound bus crash - see http://www.ntsb.gov/doclib/reports/2000/HAR0001.pdf

Reading the report, part of the takeaway message is that we need more rest areas.

Do we?  Nearly every exit of every highway has some sort of restaurant, gas station, or other place where someone can rest.

[US81]

Not 100% if this meets your criteria/definition for rural state highways but I was just at the Willington Rest Area off I-84 Westbound in CT and not only are picnic tables still there but there are even grills (for cooking) placed near each table.

OTOH, the current EMERGENCY PULL-OFF areas along the PA Turnpike used to have a couple picnic tables at each pull-off.  IIRC, the tables disappeared within the last 10(?) years.

The picnic tables were removed from the PA Turnpike emergency pulloff areas after the 1999 Burndt Cabins Greyhound bus crash - see http://www.ntsb.gov/doclib/reports/2000/HAR0001.pdf

Reading the report, part of the takeaway message is that we need more rest areas.

Do we?  Nearly every exit of every highway has some sort of restaurant, gas station, or other place where someone can rest.

I would have to disagree for many highways in Texas and parts west.

[Brandon]

Not 100% if this meets your criteria/definition for rural state highways but I was just at the Willington Rest Area off I-84 Westbound in CT and not only are picnic tables still there but there are even grills (for cooking) placed near each table.

OTOH, the current EMERGENCY PULL-OFF areas along the PA Turnpike used to have a couple picnic tables at each pull-off.  IIRC, the tables disappeared within the last 10(?) years.

The picnic tables were removed from the PA Turnpike emergency pulloff areas after the 1999 Burndt Cabins Greyhound bus crash - see http://www.ntsb.gov/doclib/reports/2000/HAR0001.pdf

Reading the report, part of the takeaway message is that we need more rest areas.

Do we?  Nearly every exit of every highway has some sort of restaurant, gas station, or other place where someone can rest.

They do?  Go west of the Appalachians some time.  Plus, exit and entry ramps are not the types of places where truckers should rest.

[hbelkins]

Do we?  Nearly every exit of every highway has some sort of restaurant, gas station, or other place where someone can rest.

There are some pretty long stretches of the PA Turnpike without exits.

They do?  Go west of the Appalachians some time.  Plus, exit and entry ramps are not the types of places where truckers should rest.

When I was living in Winchester and working in Frankfort, every morning I would see a bunch of trucks pulled off on the exit and entry ramps for exits 69 and 65 on I-64 between Lexington and Frankfort. There is a rest area on I-64 just before you get to Frankfort, but it has limited truck parking space (and Kentucky generally prohibits overnight stops at rest areas and limits stops to four hours). So there would be a lot of trucks parked at the exit ramps for their overnight stops.

[jeffandnicole]

I'm just using Texas as an example, and just one highway (I-10).  Looking at an online list, there's about 45 rest areas or pulloffs.  Breaking it down, that's about 22 per direction, or about one every 40 miles.

How many more rest areas do we need?  One every 20 miles?  Every 10?  And that doesn't include exits where facilities exist.

Yes, some areas of the countries, rest areas or exits with facilities are sorely lacking.  And recent trends have been to remove some rest areas that people utilized. Sometimes though, people just need to plan their trip a bit better, and we know that ain't going to happen either.

[PColumbus73]

There is a picnic area on US 701 between Whiteville and Tabor City, NC (I think). Although I don't think the side of a rural highway is an ideal spot for a picnic. 

[US81]

I'm just using Texas as an example, and just one highway (I-10).  Looking at an online list, there's about 45 rest areas or pulloffs.  Breaking it down, that's about 22 per direction, or about one every 40 miles.

How many more rest areas do we need?  One every 20 miles?  Every 10?  And that doesn't include exits where facilities exist.

Yes, some areas of the countries, rest areas or exits with facilities are sorely lacking.  And recent trends have been to remove some rest areas that people utilized. Sometimes though, people just need to plan their trip a bit better, and we know that ain't going to happen either.

Sorry, I was responding to the assertion that there are gas stations or restaurants at nearly every exit. There are not, that's why the rest areas are important. I'm not certain how up to date that list is - I'm aware of many that have closed permanently, others that have closed "temporarily" for years now. 

To your second point, I agree - I think it doesn't even occur to some people who drive in more urban areas that they need to plan because they're so used to being able to meet their needs at nearly every exit. 

[seicer]

Not every rest area needs to have facilities, but in some states - such as Ohio, there are designated areas for truck parking. They are typically old weigh stations or rest areas that are just large parking areas for folks to sleep at. I've done some late night drives in the past month and every rest area past 11 PM is overflowing with trucks - and plenty of exits are jammed with trucks on the shoulders.

They need a safe place to rest.

[agentsteel53]

To your second point, I agree - I think it doesn't even occur to some people who drive in more urban areas that they need to plan because they're so used to being able to meet their needs at nearly every exit.

I have the exact opposite issue.  in rural areas, I know that eventually, within 20-30 miles, I will be able to find the services I desire.

in urban areas, especially in California, it's a total crapshoot where the gas stations are.  I don't like sniffing around the exits and taking the side streets just because I'm low on gas, so I generally plan my trips to avoid needing gas in San Francisco, within 200 miles of San Diego, etc.

[getemngo]

The very first roadside park was established in 1919 on US 2 just east of Iron River, Michigan. From what I've seen in Michigan, they're exclusive to surface highways, and all freeways have full rest areas (plus, the Upper Peninsula has some full rest areas on two-lane highways).

The picnic tables were removed from the PA Turnpike emergency pulloff areas after the 1999 Burndt Cabins Greyhound bus crash - see http://www.ntsb.gov/doclib/reports/2000/HAR0001.pdf

That's a fascinating read for those of us who like reading about accidents. Never knew about it before.

The report mentions a big shortage of truck parking areas on Interstates, and this was over a decade ago. The Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century was supposed to start fixing this.

[agentsteel53]

That's a fascinating read for those of us who like reading about accidents. Never knew about it before.

indeed.

Additionally, the busdriver's personnel records disclosed that he had received
5-day suspensions in 1989 and 1990 for "refusing an assignment"  and for "operating a bus
without authorization,"

1989: I'll do it later, boss.

1990: hey, boss, I did it.

actually, the description of the driver makes him sound like he's a stone cold dickhead.

On a third occasion in January 1998, this passenger again boarded a bus with the
accident driver. She said that she asked him whether he was going to fall asleep during the
trip and that he became angry, ejected her from the bus, and escorted her to a supervisor.
The passenger reported that the busdriver told the supervisor that she had a "smart mouth"
and that he would not permit her to ride on his bus.