Tyler State Park in Newtown, Bucks County, Pennsylvania

Daniel Fuerst

August 9, 2025

Tyler State Park was first opened May 25, 1974. But way before that Tyler was a park, it was Lenape land.

The Lenni Lenape—“Original People”—lived along Neshaminy Creek, fishing, farming, and gathering at what’s now Indian Council Rock. This dramatic stone outcrop, still visible today, was likely a meeting place for tribal leaders long before colonists arrived.

In 1682, William Penn purchased the land from the Lenape. Centuries later, George and Stella Tyler built their estate atop those same grounds, overlooking the creek and its layered history.

Today, Tyler State Park’s trails trace old Lenape paths, and the landscape still echoes with their presence.

Schofield Ford Bridge: Built for Function, Rebuilt by Community

In the late 1800s, farmers in Newtown and Northampton needed a safer way across the Neshaminy Creek. The ford was unreliable flooded in spring, frozen in winter. So in 1873, Bucks County built the Schofield Ford Covered Bridge using native hemlock and oak. It was practical, durable, and designed to connect two growing communities.

The bridge stood for 118 years until arson destroyed it in 1991. Only the stone abutments remained. Over the next six years, volunteers and local agencies rebuilt it to original specs, reopening in 1997. No paint, no shortcuts—just honest craftsmanship and a commitment to preservation.

Today, it’s part of Tyler State Park’s trail system. Still closed to vehicles. Still standing because people cared enough to bring it back.

Tyler State Park wasn’t always a park. It was farmland. Eighteen plots, stitched together by George and Stella Tyler when they got tired of city life.

They built stables, a dairy, a mansion. Then left it behind. The state took over in the 1970s.

The mansion, built in the early 1930s, was a 60-room French-Norman estate with turrets, formal gardens, and stone service buildings. Horses lived there. So did forty staff.

Today it’s called Tyler Hall. It anchors Bucks County Community College.

Bucks County itself goes back to 1682. William Penn named it after Buckinghamshire, his home in England. It was one of Pennsylvania’s original three counties. Founded to be farmland, forest, and a buffer against New Jersey.

Lost Landmarks & Buried Stories: The Forgotten Corners of Tyler State Park

Tyler State Park isn’t just a place for picnics and trail runs, it’s layered with memory, mystery, and the quiet remnants of a very different past.

Two of its most overlooked features—the barn-and-maze playground and a hidden estate-era waste site, tell a story of transformation, nostalgia, and what we choose to preserve.

🧒 The Maze That Once Was

Built in 1974, the barn-and-maze playground stood for nearly four decades as a whimsical escape for children and families.

What It Included:

- A barn-like structure with a simulated silo

- A wooden maze designed for exploration and play

- Located near the boat rental building and dam bridge over Neshaminy Creek

Why It Mattered:

- Became a nostalgic landmark for Bucks County locals

- Served as a playful contrast to the park’s natural landscape

- Remained even after a modern playground was built nearby in the late 1990s

The End of the Maze:

- In 2011, DCNR and local advocates tried to save it through fundraising

- Only $310 of the needed $30,000 was raised

- The structure was demolished in December 2012 due to safety concerns

- Today, it lives on in memory, and in a few grainy photos tucked into family albums.

🕳️ The Hidden Dump Site of the Tyler Estate

Before Tyler became a state park, it was part of the Tyler Estate, a sprawling network of farms, stables, and private roads. In the 1950s, waste management was informal and largely invisible.

What Was Buried:

- Household trash from the mansion and farmhouses

- Broken equipment, construction debris, and agricultural waste

- Possibly chemical or veterinary remnants, stored or discarded without regulation

Where It Was:

- Local lore points to a remote wooded ravine near the northern boundary of the park

- Close to old service roads and behind former stable areas

- No formal records exist, but longtime residents recall debris and buried ruins

Picture of Neshaminy Creek in Tyler State Park

There’s even a path from the college into the park. It’s shaded, quiet, and takes about 10–15 minutes on foot. Follow it downhill and you’ll reach the boathouse, where you can rent canoes and sit by the creek.

Further into the park, there used to be a hostel. The Tyler State Park Hostel was part of the American Youth Hostels (AYH) network. Low-cost lodging for hikers, cyclists, and students. Tucked near the Covered Bridge Trail, it had bunk rooms, a kitchen, and easy trail access.

It closed in the early 2000s. No exact date.

Demand dropped, funding dried up, and travel habits shifted. The building still stands, but it’s no longer used for overnight stays. No plans to reopen. Just another quiet remnant in the woods.

Tyler State Park Hostel that has been abandoned for quite some time now

Tyler Park has tons of trails to explore. from shaded creek loops to quiet farm paths:

🥾 Tyler State Park Trail

7.4 mi · Moderate · Varied terrain, creek views, some elevation

The park’s longest loop connects woods, open fields, and winding paths along Neshaminy Creek. Expect a mix of gravel, dirt, and paved sections. Ideal for a full a long walk to clear your head.

🌉 Covered Bridge Trail

1.5 mi · Easy · Leads to Schofield Ford Bridge, shaded and quiet

A peaceful walk through tall trees and soft light, ending at the historic wooden bridge. Good for early mornings or quiet afternoons when you need space to think.

🌾 Mill Dairy Trail ( Spring Garden Mill)

1.2 mi · Easy · Flat, historic farm roads and buildings

Wide open paths past stone barns and old stables. You’re walking through history here. Great for slow pacing and reflection.

🐎 Cooper Trail

3.0 mi · Moderate · Unpaved loop for hikers and riders

A shared-use trail with gentle hills and forest cover. You’ll pass riders on horseback and hear the creek in the distance. Best with sturdy shoes and a clear mind.

🌿 Buckman Trail

0.7 mi · Easy · ADA-accessible, flat paved path

Short, smooth, and accessible. Perfect for a light walk, a stroller, or anyone easing into movement. Sometimes the simplest trail is the one that brings the most clarity.

🌳 Betz Hill Trail

1.9 mi · Easy · Out-and-back with forest and field views

A quiet stretch with soft elevation and open views. Ideal for walking solo, catching your breath, or letting your thoughts settle.

Explore more at Tyler State Park’s official page Here

Tyler State Park offers miles of shaded trails, creekside loops, and quiet paths through old farmland. From the Covered Bridge Trail to the Mill Dairy route, you’re walking through history, passing stone barns, stables, and the Spring Garden Mill, now a community theater.

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