An ongoing renovation project at Fox Chapel’s McCahill Park will get a lot greener this summer.
Council this month authorized spending up to $14,000 to contract with Western Pennsylvania Conservancy to plant about 1,500 trees, shrubs and other perennials at the recreation site off Hemlock Hollow Road.
Conservancy leaders would come to the borough to lead at least two volunteer planting and two volunteer maintenance sessions.
The nonprofit dedicated to various environmental efforts would provide tools and supplies for the events, as well as educate attendees on plant life.
The first planting is scheduled for April 12. A time has not yet been set.
“I think this project’s great, and I think that the fact they are using greening to deal with some flooding issues in the park is a fantastic way to go instead of using concrete and hardscape,” Demeo said.
Demeo said the first planting is on a Saturday and the second will be on a weekday.
Volunteers are needed for the plantings. More information will be released in the coming weeks.
“We’re happy to have everybody that we can get,” Demeo said.
Mayor Alex Scott and his brother, Gregg, are credited with contacting the conservancy and coordinating what is considered the first WPC project in Fox Chapel.
“We are going to learn a lot from them and they are going to help us get volunteers to do planting, and help us understand how to maintain this storm water area,” the mayor said. “It’s going to have a big rain garden where the plants are going to be in the storm water pond. They’re going to be a real helpful group that has a lot of knowledge about these projects.”
The Fox Chapel Parks Conservancy has donated $7,500 from its 2024 Foxtrot Trail Run funds toward the plantings. That organization also plans to donate a water fountain for the park.
More information about the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy and its projects is available at waterlandlife.org.
People interested in volunteering can contact community engagement coordinator Shawn Terrell 412-586-2327.
Park under construction
McCahill Park has been under construction for several months.
Council in August unanimously voted to award bids for an $820,000 project for various park upgrades to Dun Rite Construction.
Upgrades include repurposing the basketball court to four pickleball courts, renovating the baseball backstop closest to the playground, removing the one furthest away usually used for tee ball and turning that field into a stormwater detention pond and wetlands. A walking trail around the park also is planned.
It is being paid for in part by grants from the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and Department of Community & Economic Development.
Crews have already completed a lot of excavation, installed the detention pond and finished grading among other work.
Borough manager Gary Koehler said on Feb. 18 the plantings are part of the stormwater management efforts required by the state Department of Environmental Protection. It is not expected to impact other construction.
Koehler said having the conservancy involved in the planting adds another level of expertise and community ownership to the park’s future.
“We did not allow the contractor to plant (the trees) because contractors might not have the same care that we thought the borough could provide,” Koehler said. “The mayor was helpful in teaming us up with the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy. This is one of the things they do for communities and why we met from them and learned from them. Our landscape architect met with them and came up with this proposal that council approved. It also helps get resident and area involvement, too.”
A majority of the reconstruction is expected to be done, weather permitting, prior to the April planting, according to the manager.
Michael DiVittorio is a TribLive reporter covering general news in Western Pennsylvania, with a penchant for festivals and food. He can be reached at [email protected].
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Categories: Allegheny | Fox Chapel Herald