In the largest private land purchase added to a Pittsburgh park in decades, the
Allegheny Land Trust has acquired an 11.3-acre parcel that will become part of the 228-acre
Grand View Scenic Byway Park. The wooded parcel, which overlooks Rte. 51 and the West End, brings the park’s total acreage to 239.
With state and foundation support, the Allegheny Land Trust purchased the parcel for $200,000 from a private owner. Within six months, the parcel will be transferred to the City with restrictions to keep the land as permanent green space. Its stewardship will be managed by the
Mt. Washington Community Development Corporation (MWCDC).
“Our conservation easement will make sure the natural features are protected. It’s a typical urban hillside with obligatory stuff like construction debris. It will be cleaned up and made more presentable so that people walking through the woods can enjoy the sights and sounds of nature,” says Roy Kraynyk, with the Allegheny Land Trust. “What’s unique about Pittsburgh’s wilderness, is that the topography creates little hideaways and it’s so close to the Point,” adds Kraynyk, who says that a trailhead and parking area will be created. Additional plans call for installing interpretive signage, restoring native trees and controlling erosion.
“Community residents originally put together all of the parcels identified as potential great additions to the park,” says Ilyssa Manspeizer, with the MWCDC, who is working with a variety of partners to acquire additional small and large parcels for the park. This spring, the community will formally dedicate the long-awaited Duquesne Heights parcel during a park celebration.
Writer:
Jennifer BaronSources: Roy Kraynyk, Allegheny Land Trust; Ilyssa Manspeizer, MWCDC
Photograph copyright Brian Cohen