 As Pennsylvania 's only surf beach , the Presque Isle beaches were already a popular attraction when the state legislature authorized the creation of the " Pennsylvania State Park at Erie " in May 1921 . Oversight was given to the new " State Park and Harbor Commission of Erie " , including local representation , instead of to the state Department of Forests and Waters . Presque Isle quickly became the most popular state park in Pennsylvania . Presque Isle was an early example of locating state parks near cities , a trend that would become prevalent statewide only in the 1960s . 
