PA Environment Digest

The Allegheny Land Trust has received an $81,000 Community Conservation Partnerships Program Grant Award from the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources toward the purchase of a critical 19-acre property on the south side of Mt. Washington to expand Grand View Scenic Byway Park. The total project cost is $224,000.

ALT’s role in this project is to partner with the Mt. Washington Community Development Corporation to acquire privately-held land to complete a contiguous greenway from Grand View Park on the north face (City side) to Mt. Washington Park on the south face (Saw Mill Run side).

In 2007 in cooperation with the Mt. Washington CDC, ALT successfully protected 11 acres and in addition to the 19 acres currently under agreement is also brokering the gifting of five parcels directly from the landowners to the City of Pittsburgh.

DCNR is the primary source of state support for Pennsylvania recreation, parks and conservation initiatives. “These grants allow us to partner with communities so that they can expand and improve the wonderful assets that make the places we call home vibrant and attractive,” says DCNR Deputy Secretary, Cindy Dunn.

Ilyssa Manspeizer, Ph.D., Park Manager of the Mt. Washington Community Development Corporation, says, “The Mt. Washington CDC is glad to be partnering with Allegheny Land Trust again in the expansion of the Grand View Scenic Byway Park and thrilled that DCNR sees this project not only as an important asset to the Pittsburgh community but also to the entire state.”

In addition to the DCNR grant, ALT has received a $20,000 grant from the Katherine Mabis McKenna Foundation. The funding plan includes a goal of 10 percent of the project cost ($22,400) to be supported by the local community. “We know that local support is critical to meet state matching requirements and to demonstrate to other major funders that the local neighborhood is behind this effort,” Mt. Washington resident Paul Tellers remarked. “We’re committed to helping ALT and the Mt. Washington CDC protect the remaining green spaces in this community that make it so unique.”

Conserving the land as permanent green space will expand the Park, protect the scenic landscape and wildlife habitat and help to control storm water runoff. The tract connects other private and public green spaces and provides passive recreation in the form of hiking trails. The dense woodlands help to buffer noise and air pollution firm vehicle traffic on Saw Mill Run Boulevard.

“As Pittsburgh grows its brand as a ‘green’ city, we need the community to help our area stay truly green,” ALT Executive Director, Roy Kraynyk, said. “This grant is a great kick-off for 2010 and the local campaign which is already beginning to bear fruit due to the enthusiastic efforts of local residents.”

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