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It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always

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Home Care In Brackenridge, PA

Home Care Brackenridge, PA

They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.

However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting the historic Chartiers Old Town gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.

Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Brackenridge, PA is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.

In-Home Care Brackenridge, PA

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The Always Best Care Difference

Since 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.

Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.

The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.

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“I love working for these guys. Pretty flexible and my bosses are understanding that life”

I love working for these guys. Pretty flexible and my bosses are understanding that life happens. They go out of their way to help their caregivers and their elderly clients. Best company to work for! Love you guys.
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The Best Care !�
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“I work for always best care of Fox Chapel I meet the greatest people. I”

I work for always best care of Fox Chapel I meet the greatest people. I have the best boss and I absolutely would refer anybody who has a Caring Heart to be an employee of this company. I also refer anyone who needs someone of the Caring Heart in their life to help them with their daily living needs. Always best care is there for you I'm happy to be working for this company.
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“I love working for these guys. Pretty flexible and my bosses are understanding that life happens. They go out of their way to help their caregivers and their elderly clients. Best company to work for! Love you guys.”

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“I work for always best care of Fox Chapel I meet the greatest people. I have the best boss and I absolutely would refer anybody who has a Caring Heart to be an employee of this company. I also refer anyone who needs someone of the Caring Heart in their life to help them with their daily living needs. Always best care is there for you I'm happy to be working for this company.”

Izzy S.

What is Non-Medical Senior Care in Brackenridge, PA?

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Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.

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When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.

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The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.

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At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.

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Senior Care Brackenridge, PA

Types of Elderly Care in Brackenridge, PA

To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:

Personal Care

Personal Care Services

If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.

Common personal care services include assistance with:

  • Eating
  • Mobility Issues
  • Incontinence
  • Bathing
  • Dressing
  • Grooming
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Respite Care Brackenridge, PA
Home Helper

Home Helper Services

Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.

Common home helper care services include assistance with:

  • Medication Reminders
  • Meal Preparation
  • Pet Care
  • Prescription Refills
  • Morning Wake-Up
  • Walking
  • Reading
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Caregivers Brackenridge, PA
Companionship Services

Companionship Services

Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Brackenridge Memorial Park with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.

Common companionship services include:

  • Grocery Shopping
  • Transportation to Appointments
  • Nutritional Assistance
  • Conversation
  • Planning Outings
  • Completing Errands
  • Transportation to Community
  • Events and Social Outings
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Home Care Brackenridge, PA
Respite Care

Respite Care Services

According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local Altius or visit Burtner House, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.

At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.

If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.

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In-Home Care Brackenridge, PA

Benefits of Home Care in Brackenridge, PA

Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:

Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.

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Aging in Place: The Preferred Choice for Most Seniors

While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.

In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.

Here are just a few of the reasons why older men and women prefer to age at home:

How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?

A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.

With the help of elderly care in Brackenridge, PA, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.

Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.

Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.

For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.

More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.

In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.

With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.

Elderly Care Brackenridge, PA

Affordable Care

In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.

Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.

At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.

In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:

If your loved one qualifies, Medicaid may help reduce in-home care costs. Review your PA's Medicaid program laws and benefits, and make sure your senior's financial and medical needs meet Medicaid eligibility requirements.
Attendance and aid benefits through military service can cover a portion of the costs associated with in-home care for veterans and their spouses.
Many senior care services like in-home care are included in long-term care insurance options. Research different long-term care solutions to find a plan that provides coverage for senior care.
Home care can be included as part of a senior's private insurance plan. Read over your loved one's insurance policy carefully or speak with their insurance provider to determine if in-home care is covered.
Depending on the life insurance plan, you may be able to apply your policy toward long-term care. You may be able to use long-term-care coverage to help pay for in-home elderly care.
Senior Care Brackenridge, PA

Compassionate Care. Trusted Caregivers.

When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.

Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.

At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Brackenridge, PA understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.

Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.

Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.

Assisted Living Referral Services

While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.

Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.

Respite Care Brackenridge, PA

At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.

Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:

  • Housekeeping
  • Laundry
  • Recreational Activities
  • Social Outings
  • Emergency Medical Response
  • Medication Monitoring
  • Family Visitation
  • Personal Care
Caregivers Brackenridge, PA

At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.

Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.

Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:

  • Platinum Ridge Center for Rehabilitation Healing
  • Logan Place
  • Bayberry Place
  • Belair Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center
  • Arc
  • Applewood Personal Care Home
Home Care Brackenridge, PA

For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.

In-Home Care Brackenridge, PA

Taking the First Step with Always Best Care

The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:

A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way

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A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive

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Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider

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Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.

If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.

At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Brackenridge, PA 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.

When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.

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Elderly Care Brackenridge, PA

Latest News in Brackenridge, PA

Southwestern Pennsylvania Municipal Project Hub launches in Brackenridge to help towns access federal funding

Brackenridge Mayor Lindsay Fraser was surprised when her small town was approached to host a news conference to launch the SWPA Municipal Project Hub.But she also found it fitting.“There is a generationally historic amount of federal infrastructure money available to towns just like Brackenridge, to communities in Allegheny County,” Fraser said.The SWPA Municipal Project Hub, announced Tuesday, is a new regional initiative supporting local government and nonprofit leaders across 10 counties in Southwestern Pe...

Brackenridge Mayor Lindsay Fraser was surprised when her small town was approached to host a news conference to launch the SWPA Municipal Project Hub.

But she also found it fitting.

“There is a generationally historic amount of federal infrastructure money available to towns just like Brackenridge, to communities in Allegheny County,” Fraser said.

The SWPA Municipal Project Hub, announced Tuesday, is a new regional initiative supporting local government and nonprofit leaders across 10 counties in Southwestern Pennsylvania to help access federal funding.

The hub will roll out gradually over the next couple of weeks, said CEO Brittany Reno, who also is Sharpsburg’s mayor.

It aims to provide support to municipalities, school districts and nonprofits to collaboratively acquire federal infrastructure and sustainable economic development funding for communities.

“We are a community that stands on tradition, and we are just so excited to be able to link into this historic investment to really update our resources and our infrastructure,” Fraser said.

Reno pointed to what she called historic funding available through the federal Inflation Reduction Act, and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.

The Heinz Endowments provided startup funding for the hub.

“The Heinz Endowments is committed to helping our region maximize the historic funding opportunity that the bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Inflation Reduction Act offer for infrastructure, economic development and climate-friendly projects,” said Matt Barron, program director for sustainability at the Heinz Endowments, in a statement.

“We know that many towns, school districts and nonprofit organizations across Southwestern Pennsylvania don’t have the time, the staff capacity or the resources to go after these opportunities alone. The hub will be the partner they need.”

The hub will provide grant writing, project development assistance, legal guidance and communications to municipalities, school districts and nonprofits, Barron said.

“Southwestern Pennsylvania is at the dawn of a transformational turning point in its history,” Reno said. “We need local governments to be able to take advantage of this unparalleled opportunity to access new federal infrastructure and clean energy funds, but right now most just don’t have the capacity.

“Think about everything our local communities could accomplish together if they had the resources and support to tackle many of our region’s biggest challenges and opportunities. Now, they will.”

Kellen Stepler is a TribLive reporter covering the Allegheny Valley and Burrell school districts and surrounding areas. He joined the Trib in April 2023. He can be reached at [email protected].

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'Laundromutt,' the first of its kind in area, to open in Brackenridge

The newest business in Brackenridge targets dirty clothes and muddy paws all in one spot.Horizon Wash Spa, the area’s first “laundromutt,” is set to open this summer at 1132 Brackenridge Ave.The self-serve facility offers laundry service for humans and dog-washing for four-legged friends. It will open by August in a long-vacant newsstand/convenience store just across from the ATI metals plant.“I’ve seen this in other areas, and it seems like a nice addition,” said owner Cameron Yockey,...

The newest business in Brackenridge targets dirty clothes and muddy paws all in one spot.

Horizon Wash Spa, the area’s first “laundromutt,” is set to open this summer at 1132 Brackenridge Ave.

The self-serve facility offers laundry service for humans and dog-washing for four-legged friends. It will open by August in a long-vacant newsstand/convenience store just across from the ATI metals plant.

“I’ve seen this in other areas, and it seems like a nice addition,” said owner Cameron Yockey, who is eager to bring new business to town.

Yockey’s shop will be the only laundry service in the borough or within any walkable distance. The next closest one is at Heights Plaza in Harrison.

Councilman Dino Lopreiato thinks it’s a neat concept and said he’s thrilled to see new business in town.

“Anything that fills up an empty building is great,” Lopreiato said. “Plus, I think it’s needed. We don’t have anything like it.”

The combination business will be split in two.

“The dogs will enter in the back and have a separate spa space,” Yockey said. “It’s not like dogs will be wandering around between the two spots.”

The canine-grooming space will open in September with one unit where owners pay $10 for 10 minutes of wash time. Additional minutes can be purchased.

The spa will offer a vending machine with dog treats and other dog-related goodies.

On the front side of the building, 12 sets of washers/dryers will be available for self-serve laundry. Prices have not been established.

There also will be a drop-off wash and fold service offered.

Hours are expected to be from 6 a.m. to midnight.

Yockey, president of Realty ONE Group in Harrison and a Murrysville resident, purchased the building in December.

Shortly after, it was vandalized by graffiti artists who scribbled on the storefront, sidewalk and trash can.

Yockey has since remodeled the building inside and out, and equipped it with security cameras.

“It’s very modern,” he said. “We’ll have touch-screen units and TVs, and it will be air-conditioned. It’s not your typical laundromat.”

Yockey said he’s “all in” on the Highlands School District and currently has secured 30 units — a mix of housing and storefronts — to sell to potential owners. He has turned over numerous others in the district since first starting a redevelopment project here in 2019.

He said the main reason he decided on the area is the people.

“We have a large support here on our mission that isn’t discovered in other places,” Yockey said. “The business, the residents and the governing bodies all have supported our progress.”

Tawnya Panizzi is a TribLive reporter. She joined the Trib in 1997. She can be reached at [email protected].

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Construction of half-mile recreation trail kicks off in Brackenridge

Brackenridge Councilman Dino Lopreiato said a new half-mile walking trail through the borough will do more than create recreational opportunities.“It will showcase some of the nicest river views in Western Pennsylvania,” he said.“People will be able to walk or ride a bike, and, hopefully, it will encourage residents to get out and enjoy our beautiful park.”Work kicked off this week on the trail segment, which is part of the larger, 33-mile Three Rivers Heritage Trail operated by the nonprofit ...

Brackenridge Councilman Dino Lopreiato said a new half-mile walking trail through the borough will do more than create recreational opportunities.

“It will showcase some of the nicest river views in Western Pennsylvania,” he said.

“People will be able to walk or ride a bike, and, hopefully, it will encourage residents to get out and enjoy our beautiful park.”

Work kicked off this week on the trail segment, which is part of the larger, 33-mile Three Rivers Heritage Trail operated by the nonprofit Friends of the Riverfront.

The $445,000 project is nearly seven years in the making.

Stretching from Mile Lock Lane to Morgan Street, it will link other pending trail sections in Harrison and Tarentum.

When completed, it will be part of the path from Erie to Pittsburgh.

Construction will be paid for by three grants: $100,000 from the Allegheny County Community Infrastructure and Tourism Fund; $60,400 from the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources; and close to $285,000 from the Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission.

Crews have begun marking and digging the portion of the walkway that will be built along First Avenue on the grassy side of the guiderail.

Work is expected to take about two weeks.

An asphalt trail will be complemented by a split-rail fence for added safety, and native plants will be added.

A second phase of work will create a designated path through Brackenridge Memorial Park.

Both sections of the trail are expected to be completed this year.

Courtney Mahronich Vita, director of trail development for Friends of the Riverfront, said that while the trail is relatively short, it carries a mighty role.

“Building out the Three Rivers Heritage Trail Network in Allegheny County is challenging, but every foot and half-mile addition makes a difference in closing the gaps,” she said.

“Friends is excited to see this trail segment become a reality.”

Work in Brackenridge will someday link with other planned trails, stretching the path onward to Freeport in one direction and Millvale in the other.

Borough officials said they favor the idea of urging walkers and bikers to use the trail and not the road.

Lopreiato said he believes the trail will draw a wider audience to town.

“I look forward to walkers and riders traveling through town and discovering it,” he said.

Categories: Local | Valley News Dispatch

Brackenridge mayor joins 4 Western Pa. officials in pledge to save butterflies, pollinators

Brackenridge Mayor Lindsay Fraser is one of four public officials in Western Pennsylvania to sign the Mayors’ Monarch Pledge to work to save butterflies and other pollinators.Offered through the National Wildlife Federation, the program enlists municipal leaders to steward monarch butterflies, whose populations have declined by 90% in recent years.Monarchs, large orange butterflies, were declared endangered this year because of declining populations....

Brackenridge Mayor Lindsay Fraser is one of four public officials in Western Pennsylvania to sign the Mayors’ Monarch Pledge to work to save butterflies and other pollinators.

Offered through the National Wildlife Federation, the program enlists municipal leaders to steward monarch butterflies, whose populations have declined by 90% in recent years.

Monarchs, large orange butterflies, were declared endangered this year because of declining populations.

Fraser, elected as mayor in 2021, is working to urge council and community garden groups to plant native milkweeds and nectar-producing plants in green spaces, parks and along roads.

“I’m involved in several coordinating efforts in the Highlands School District area,” Fraser said. “All of those efforts may not take place in Brackenridge, per se.”

Colorful milkweed is being planted near the mosaic-lined walls of the new trail that links the Allegheny River shoreline with Natrona Community Park.

Planting milkweed and other nectar-producing plants is the No. 1 move to reestablish the monarchs, according to Patrick Fitzgerald, the federation’s senior director of community habitat.

“We’re excited that the mayor has taken this pledge,” Fitzgerald said.

“The wonderful thing about monarchs is that even in a very small yard or container, you can see the butterfly show up along with other pollinators.”

While science says millions of plants would be needed to revitalize the monarch population, Fitzgerald said the federation is taking an all-hands-on-deck approach.

“If we have hundreds of thousands of people planting all sizes of plots, it all adds up,” he said.

Through the Mayors’ Monarch Pledge, Fraser and others are working to create habitat and to educate people on how to make a difference.

Other municipal leaders involved in the effort include Franklin Park Mayor Dennis O’Keefe, Carnegie Mayor Stacie Riley and Evans City Council President Cheri Deener- Kohan.

According to the federation website, monarchs have faced habitat loss because most of the grassland ecosystems along their migration routes have been lost to intensive agriculture, urban development or pesticides.

Fraser plans to engage public works and the borough’s recreation committee to identify opportunities to revise mowing programs and initiate large-scale milkweed planting.

The mayor also wants to launch an outdoor education program in the spring to build awareness. Students, educators and community groups will have the chance to set up habitats in medians and public rights-of-way. Volunteers will be enlisted to pluck invasive species from the same locations.

Bill Godfrey, president of the Natrona Comes Together group, worked on the trail project that will include a small pollinator garden.

“I think it’s an excellent idea,” he said. “I have a huge yard with lots of zinnias and Mexican sunflowers and they attract lots of monarchs. We’ve been trying to court the monarchs for several years, and every new plant will only help.”

To learn more or to volunteer, call the borough at 724-224-0800.

Tawnya Panizzi is a TribLive reporter. She joined the Trib in 1997. She can be reached at [email protected].

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