 The Tom Ridge Environmental Center ( TREC ) is the gateway to and administrative center for Presque Isle State Park , as well as housing interactive educational exhibits , a " Discovery Center " , classrooms , and research laboratories . The Center , which officially opened on May 26 , 2006 , is on 12 acres ( 5 ha ) just off Route 832 on a bluff overlooking Lake Erie . TREC is named for former Pennsylvania Governor Tom Ridge , " who grew up in Erie , worked at the park as a young man and provided funding for the center and numerous Presque Isle projects during his administration . " 
