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]]>Brighton Heights, Pittsburgh, PA – On Saturday, October 25, 2025, Allegheny Land Trust (ALT) invites the community, local media and conservation champions to attend a native species planting at St. John’s Green – the site of the former St. John’s Hospital in the City of Pittsburgh’s Brighton Heights neighborhood.
This volunteer planting marks a major milestone in the transformation of the former hospital site into a vibrant green space serving as both a community gathering place and an active, green stormwater infrastructure site in the City of Pittsburgh’s Brighton Heights neighborhood.
Those attending the tree planting will plant native trees, shrubs and wildflowers to help rewild the blighted land. To get to the planting areas, attendees will walk the newly formed trail systems around the site’s new rainwater meadow, rain garden and community gathering areas.
“We’re grateful to have reached this point in the project, thanks to our partnership with the Brighton Heights Citizens Federation and other community leaders’ years of work,” ALT project manager Alyson Fearon said. “This planting event isn’t just about trees — it’s about restoring land, capturing stormwater to promote community resiliency and investing in place-making and hope in the heart of Brighton Heights.”
After the hospital site was vacated in 1997, Brighton Heights Citizens Federation, the URA, and other community leadership and development groups worked hard to ensure its future would serve the neighborhood. ALT was invited to the table to explore the land’s use as permanent green space; after all, neighbors had begun using the rewilded space as a local hangout and cut-through path between streets.
Now, ALT has protected the land, surveyed the community and begun implementing initiatives outlined in the community-informed green space and stormwater management plan. The site has seen significant construction activity this summer and will be symbolically opened for neighbor exploration during this native species planting.
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]]>The post ALT and Game Commission Successfully Save Local Land appeared first on Allegheny Land Trust.
]]>For Immediate Release
Indiana Township, PA – At the end of March 2025, Allegheny Land Trust (ALT) purchased and successfully completed the 266-acre Deer Creek Conservation Project in Indiana Township directly adjacent to Emmerling Community Park, along Deer Creek and host to one mile of the Rachel Carson Trail. Ownership was immediately transferred to the Pennsylvania Game Commission (PGC) for permanent conservation and management that supports wildlife habitat and wildlife focused recreation.
“We’re excited that our hard work with partners, community leaders, and neighbors resulted in the successful completion of this effort,” ALT Interim CEO Emilie Rzotkiewicz said. “Now this land, including one mile of the Rachel Caron Trail, will be protected for the benefit of generations to come.”
The Deer Creek Conservation Project now expands Emmerling Community Park to create 325-acre greenway. Through its permanent conservation, this land will conserve the quality of the Deer Creek – a PA Fish & Boat Commission stocked waterway – by continuing to absorb 231.12 million gallons of rainwater annually and will ensure maintained air quality by annually sequestering 1.13 million pounds of carbon and removing 20,000 pounds of other pollutants.
“In developed areas, where there often is decreasing wildlife habitat and growing numbers of people, conserving lands for wildlife and providing opportunities for the public to get out and enjoy it both are critically important,” said PGC Executive Director Steve Smith. “As a state game lands, the Deer Creek Conservation Project will be perpetually protected, checking both these boxes.”
The project received letters of support from PA State Senator Lindsey M. Williams, PA State Representative Mandy Steele, Indiana Township and the Rachel Carson Trail Conservancy (RCTC). More than 180 community members helped raise awareness and funds to match state level grants. PGC bolstered the project with a letter of support and a commitment letter to provide funding and assume ownership and stewardship once ALT completed the acquisition process.
“The RCTC has worked for years to find a way to protect this beautiful tract and is grateful to the ALT, the PGC, DCNR and the hiking community for this wonderful achievement. The Rachel Carson Trail was opened exactly 50 years ago and we’re looking forward to working with the PGC to ensure the trail continues to be a valuable regional asset for many decades to come,” said RCTC vice president Steve Mentzer.
PGC’s survey crew will begin marking the boundaries and develop parking areas to allow for better public access to the property.
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PROJECT LINK
https://alleghenylandtrust.org/deercreek/
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ABOUT ALLEGHENY LAND TRUST Allegheny Land Trust has helped local people save local land in the Pittsburgh region since 1993, and now conserves more than 4,000 acres across 41 municipalities. ALT’s mission is to conserve and care for local land for the health and well-being of future generations, and it envisions a resilient region with abundant green space that is easily accessible and recognized as essential to the quality of life for all.
ABOUT THE PA GAME COMMISSION For more than 100 years, the Game Commission has managed the Commonwealth’s wildlife resources for all Pennsylvanians. Its mission is to manage and protect wildlife and their habitats while promoting hunting and trapping for current and future generations, and it envisions being recognized and respected as the leader in innovative and proactive stewardship of wildlife and their habitats.
ABOUT RACHEL CARSON TRAIL CONSERVANCY The Rachel Carson Trails Conservancy, Inc. is a nonprofit 501(c)(3), volunteer-based organization dedicated to the development, protection, and promotion of hiking, biking, and walking trails throughout western Pennsylvania. The goals of the Rachel Carson Trails Conservancy include raising awareness of the benefits of community trails, getting more people interested in physical activities, getting more people to experience the beauty of our region and the natural world, and helping people see our region as active and vibrant. Join us in our efforts and help make a difference.
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]]>For Immediate Release
Indiana Township, PA – In an exciting development for local conservation, Allegheny Land Trust (ALT) and the Pennsylvania Game Commission (PGC) have joined forces to protect the 280-acre Deer Creek Conservation Project in Indiana Township adjacent to Emmerling Community Park and encompassing a scenic mile of the Rachel Carson Trail.
PGC bolstered the project with a commitment letter to provide funding and assume ownership and stewardship once ALT has completed the acquisition process.
“Conserving this land will help maintain the water quality of Deer Creek, protect the integrity of the Rachel Carson Trail and conserve critical woodlands adjacent to Indiana Township’s Emmerling Park,” said Christopher J. Beichner, President & CEO of ALT. “Our collaboration with PGC brings us a major step closer to conserving this significant land forever.”
The benefits of conserving this land are many, including:
“In developed areas, where there often is decreasing wildlife habitat and growing numbers of people, conserving lands for wildlife and providing opportunities for the public to get out and enjoy it both are critically important,” said PGC Executive Director Steve Smith. “As a state game lands, the Deer Creek Conservation Project will be perpetually protected, checking both these boxes.”
In addition to a letter from PGC, the project has letters of support from PA State Senator Lindsey M. Williams, PA State Representative Mandy Steele, Indiana Township and the Rachel Carson Trail Conservancy.
ALT and the landowner negotiated an exclusive sales contract in January 2024 outlining ALT’s commitment to purchase the land pending successful due diligence and fundraising by December 2024.
A total of $2,590,000 is needed to conserve the land, and PGC has committed $1,295,000 as well as necessary due diligence to close on the property. ALT has several additional grant applications pending with state and local foundation sources. Upon ALT’s successful acquisition of the site, ownership will be transferred to PGC for permanent conservation and management that supports wildlife habitat and wildlife focused recreation.
“While we have work to do ahead of year’s end, we are excited that this partnership will meet our goals of protecting this land to support biodiversity, air and water quality, scenic character, wildlife habitat, ecological health and resiliency, and opportunities for outdoor recreation along and surrounding the Rachel Carson Trail,” Beichner said.
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PROJECT LINK
https://alleghenylandtrust.org/deercreek/
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ABOUT ALLEGHENY LAND TRUST Allegheny Land Trust has helped local people save local land in the Pittsburgh region since 1993, and now conserves more than 3,700 acres across 41 municipalities. ALT’s mission is to conserve and care for local land for the health and well-being of future generations, and it envisions a resilient region with abundant green space that is easily accessible and recognized as essential to the quality of life for all.
ABOUT THE PA GAME COMMISSION For more than 100 years, the Game Commission has managed the Commonwealth’s wildlife resources for all Pennsylvanians. Its mission is to manage and protect wildlife and their habitats while promoting hunting and trapping for current and future generations, and it envisions being recognized and respected as the leader in innovative and proactive stewardship of wildlife and their habitats.
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]]>The post ALT Conserves Local Land, Creates Greenway Connecting Municipal Parks appeared first on Allegheny Land Trust.
]]>For Immediate Release
Monroeville, PA
Local land conservation non-profit Allegheny Land Trust (ALT) acquired 97 acres called the Gateway Woods Conservation Project in the Municipality of Monroeville, thus creating a 398-acre contiguous greenway by connecting Monroeville Community Park West, Monroeville Community Park East, Sugar Camp Park, and Mosside Slopes conservation area.
“Conserving this land helps to expand the growing, green amenities of Monroeville and Pitcairn to support expanded outdoor recreation and enjoyment of nature, while also improving regional resiliency through the many benefits preserved green space has to offer,” ALT President and CEO Chris Beichner said.
As a permanently conserved green space, this land supports the resiliency of Monroeville and Pitcairn by preserving natural scenic beauty, providing a place for close-to-home outdoor recreation and environmental education, mitigating downstream flooding in the Turtle Creek Watershed, providing cleaner air by sequestering 381,000 pounds of carbon and 6,800 pounds of other pollutants annually, preventing further traffic congestion and enhancing the attractiveness of nearby communities for current and prospective homeowners.
The project received letters of support from the Municipality of Monroeville, the Borough of Forest Hills, the Borough of Pitcairn, US Congresswoman Summer Lee, PA Senator Jim Brewster, PA Rep Brandon Markosek, Allegheny County Council Rep Michelle Naccarati-Chapkis, the Garden Club of Allegheny County (GCAC), Turtle Creek Watershed Association and Sustainable Monroeville.
“Gateway Woods’ conservation is a big win for our communities today and for years to come,” said Pennsylvania State Representative Brandon Markosek. “We were glad to support this effort and connect existing lands to create expanded benefits for all.”
ALT worked over a one-year period to raise the $1,092,955 needed to purchase the land. Support was provided by 100 individual donors who gave more than $42,000, as well as support from the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation & Natural Resources, GCAC, the Pittsburgh Foundation and Arconic Foundation.
Additionally, the timing of the March 2024 closing date was facilitated by a short-term loan from the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy through their Colcom Foundation Revolving Fund for local land trusts to provide liquidity until the proceeds of other funding sources are received.
Now that ownership of the land is secured, ALT will create a management plan for the site to ensure its conservation value is maintained and improved.
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]]>The post ALT Saves Local Land, Creates a 67-Acre Greenway appeared first on Allegheny Land Trust.
]]>For Immediate Release
Ross Township, PA
Local land conservation non-profit Allegheny Land Trust (ALT) acquired 24 acres of green space in Ross Township along Lowries Run.
Conserving this land expands ALT’s Lowries Run Slopes Conservation Area and directly connects to Ross Township’s Marion Doulton Green Space, thus creating 67 acres of protected woodlands.
“This project presented an amazing opportunity to not only support regional resiliency through conservation benefits, but also to create a unique, local greenway that supports outdoor enjoyment, recreation and environmental education,” Lindsay Dill, ALT’s Senior Director of Marketing & Community Engagement, said.
As a permanently conserved green space, this land preserves water quality in Lowries Run, mitigates downstream flooding by annually absorbing 20 million gallons of rainwater, maintains air quality by annually sequestering 97,000 pounds of carbon and 1,700 pounds of other pollutants and links two green spaces that provide opportunities for outdoor recreation and environmental education.
The project received full support from Ross Township, PA Senator Lindsey Williams, PA Representative Emily Kinkead, County Council Rep Jack Betkowski, Ross Environmental Advisory Council and the Northern Area Environmental Council.
“We prize our community’s proximity not only to built amenities, but also to natural resources,” Township Manager Ronald Borczyk said. “This land’s conservation supports our goals of protecting our air, land and water for generations to come.”
Together with partners, ALT raised the $556,727 needed to purchase the land. Support was provided by 130 individual community donors who gave more than $70,000, as well as support from the PA Department of Community & Economic Development’s Gaming Economic Development Tourism Fund, Ross Township, the Colcom Foundation, the Sierra Club and the Northern Area Environmental Council.
As ALT moves onto creating a management plan for this site, it will also begin working on a new land conservation project with Ross Township. The land trust has under contract 51 acres of green space directly adjacent to the township’s 31-acre municipal park. The land sits critically at the highest point in the flood vulnerable Girty’s Run Watershed and its conservation will preserve community character and provide expanded public recreation opportunities to enhance residents’ quality of life. ALT will be working directly with the township and community to raise funding needed to secure the land by the end of this year.
“We’re excited to continue partnering with ALT to protect green spaces in Ross Township and maintain a community we’re all proud to call home,” Borczyk said.
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Lowries Run Slopes Expansion Project Link: https://alleghenylandtrust.org/lowriesrunslopesexpand/
2024 Ross Conservation Project Link: https://alleghenylandtrust.org/rossconservation
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]]>The post ALT Completes First Acquisition of Landscape-Scale Conservation Project appeared first on Allegheny Land Trust.
]]>For Immediate Release
Collier Township, PA
Local land conservation non-profit Allegheny Land Trust (ALT) acquired 90 acres of woodlands in Collier Township adjacent to Collier Community Park.
This completes the first of ALT’s multi-phase Panhandle Greenway Conservation Project, a landscape-scale effort to proactively conserve high quality green space and add to locally conserved lands like Settler’s Cabin Park, Pittsburgh Botanic Garden, Collier Community Park, South Fayette’s Preservation Park, other public and privately conserved lands and the Panhandle and Montour Trails.
“Conserving this first parcel goes beyond preserving this specific property; it begins stitching together a growing, green fabric in the Panhandle Trail corridor,” ALT President and CEO Chris Beichner said. “It demonstrates a commitment to future generations, ensuring they inherit a cohesive tapestry of thriving ecosystems where they can permanently enjoy and connect with the benefits of nature.”
As a permanently conserved green space, this land supports the resiliency of the Panhandle Trail corridor by buffering the trail and nearby green spaces, preserving natural scenic beauty, providing a place for close-to-home outdoor recreation and environmental education, mitigating downstream flooding in Robinson Run and Chartiers Creek by absorbing 66 million gallons of rainwater annually, maintaining air quality by annually sequestering 322,000 pounds of carbon and 5,700 pounds of other pollutants, preventing further traffic congestion and enhancing the attractiveness of nearby communities to prospective homeowners.
Conservation’s significant role in improving water quality and mitigating flooding is underscored by the Pittsburgh region’s most recent stormwater incidents. In nearby Oakdale, streets and homes filled with several feet of standing water; at least nine people needed to be rescued from their homes.
“We see land conservation as a core solution to addressing many of our region’s challenges, like flooding,” Beichner said. “This land is now guaranteed to forever function as a natural climate solution to prevent exacerbated flooding by proactively maintaining natural, permeable surface in an area experiencing rampant development.”
The project received full support from U.S. Congressman Chris Deluzio, PA Senator Devlin Robinson, PA State Representative Anita Kulik, Allegheny County Conservation District, Allegheny County Parks Foundation, Friends of the Panhandle Trail, Pittsburgh Botanic Garden and County Council Representative Pat Catena.
“It is important for all of us to support important projects like this that promote conservation and recreation,” Rep Kulik said. “This project will significantly promote the beauty of our communities.”
ALT worked over a one-year period to raise the $630,356 needed to purchase the land. Support was provided by more than 110 individual community donors who gave more than $37,250, as well as support from the Richard King Mellon Foundation, the Katherine Mabis McKenna Foundation, the Colcom Foundation and Massey Charitable Trust.
As ALT moves onto creating a long-term vision for this site, it will also begin working on a second acquisition of the Panhandle Greenway Conservation Project. ALT has 140 acres in South Fayette Township under contract for permanent protection and will be working with the community to raise the necessary $1,305,000 needed to secure the land by the end of 2024.
“We’re excited to work with the community on the next acquisition in this important watershed to balance intense development pressures with thoughtful, strategic conservation,” Beichner said. “By working together, we can create an unparalleled network of interconnected parks, nature areas, trails and streams that serve as a truly unique regional, recreational and ecological asset today and for generations to come.”
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Panhandle Greenway Conservation Project Link: https://alleghenylandtrust.org/panhandlegreenway/
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]]>The post Allegheny Land Trust Closes On Eight Conservation Projects At Year’s End appeared first on Allegheny Land Trust.
]]>For Immediate Release
Allegheny County, PA – Local conservation nonprofit Allegheny Land Trust (ALT) conserved another 120.5 acres at the end of December 2022 over eight projects across Allegheny County.
“With development and infrastructure expansion continuing to consume approximately 2,000 acres of green space in the County each year, conserving these lands was a great way to end the year,” ALT President & CEO Chris Beichner said. “From the smallest conserved parcel to the largest, each project will create lasting benefits for each community’s air and water quality, wildlife habitat, biodiversity and recreation and environmental education opportunities.”
The recently-protected lands were a combination of market rate purchases, conservation easements and donated properties, and are located in Baldwin, Millvale and Wilkinsburg Boroughs, and Indiana, Moon, Reserve and Shaler Townships.
“Community support is crucial to the success of our land conservation efforts,” Beichner said. “These communities rallied behind these projects and built tremendous support to help save these green spaces.”
Among the conserved lands is the Reserve/Shaler project, which generated support from surrounding municipalities, local businesses, students in a Shaler Area High School sustainability class and hundreds of individuals. The project involved a partnership between the previous landowner, a new farmer and ALT. Its permanent protection enables the new farmer to farm another portion of the parcel and adds 45 acres to ALT’s conservation successes in the Girty’s Run Watershed.
Along the Montour Trail sits another newly-conserved land. The 14.75-acre green space builds upon the partnered efforts of ALT, Hollow Oak Land Trust (HOLT) and the Montour Trail Council. Now that it is acquired, ALT will transfer the land to HOLT for permanent protection to add to its 320-acre Montour Woods along the Montour Trail.
As part of ALT & Grow Pittsburgh’s Three Rivers Agricultural Land Initiative (TRALI), a 0.14 acre addition to the Garden Dreams site will allow Grow Pittsburgh and gardeners to expand their urban agriculture operations and community outreach at the site.
“The addition of this corner lot is key to the next phase of our Garden Dreams plans,” said Grow Pittsburgh Director of Development and Communications Ryan Walsh. “In a more immediate sense, it also allows us to care for this corner lot. We’re excited to transform it from what has been an unsightly mess of weeds and debris to a neighborhood green space.”
In all of 2022, ALT conserved 290 acres of green space across multiple projects. Every resident of Allegheny County now lives within eight miles of an ALT conservation area.
“While this year’s additions are reason to celebrate our successes, we are already ramping up for several more projects this year,” Beichner said. “We are excited to continue working with communities across our region on protecting close-to-home green spaces.”
ABOUT ALLEGHENY LAND TRUST
Founded as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in 1993 in response to the rapidly declining amount of green space in Allegheny County, Allegheny Land Trust has protected more than 3,700 acres to preserve our region’s unique natural beauty, provide accessible outdoor recreational opportunities, improve water quality, sustain biodiversity, and enhance the overall quality of life for all. ALT’s strategic priorities are in land protection, land stewardship, community conservation, and environmental education. More information: www.alleghenylandtrust.org.
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]]>The post RELEASE: LOCAL LAND TRUST RECEIVES GRANT TO PROTECT GREEN SPACE IN THE GLADE RUN LAKE WATERSHED appeared first on Allegheny Land Trust.
]]>Butler & Cranberry Eagle (1/11/2022), PA Environment Digest (1/28/2022)
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January 2022
For Immediate Release
Middlesex Township, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources awarded a $313,000 grant to southwestern Pennsylvania land conservation nonprofit Allegheny Land Trust (ALT) on December 30, 2021 toward the acquisition of approximately 53 acres located on Sandy Hill Road in Middlesex Township, Butler County for open space and passive recreation.
“We are extremely excited to continue efforts with the Glade Run Lake Conservancy and the local community to protect land around this unique lake in this rapidly developing area,” said Chris Beichner, President & CEO of ALT. “These grant dollars offer a significant boost to our efforts to protect this land and promote the community’s resiliency.”
The 53 acres that ALT has under contract to purchase are located adjacent to a 120-acre tract of land protected by ALT and the Glade Run Lake Conservancy (GRLC) in 2021 using a conservation easement. When protected, this green space will help to ensure the health and vitality of the watershed by protecting the trees and other plants that help to maintain water quality and reduce flooding, maintain the rural and scenic beauty of the community, protect wildlife habitat, and more. Protecting this 53-acre green space would ensure permanent annual capture of 371,000 pounds of carbon and approximately 77,000,000 gallons of rainwater.
The land under contract would build upon recent land protection efforts by ALT and GRLC in the Glade Run Lake Watershed. Over the past several years, the two organizations have identified sensitive lands at greatest risk of development and are important to protecting the overall quality of Glade Run Lake, which is utilized by residents as a recreational resource. ALT and GRLC then used that analysis to create a plan to collaboratively pursue the conservation of those lands through a variety of conservation tools including conservation easements and outright fee ownership.
“These 53-acres are another building block piece in a larger Lego puzzle – in 2017, we laid the foundation by restoring the dam and spillway to refill the lake, in 2021 we placed a conservation easement on Joan Goswell’s land and now this property is directly adjacent to that land and contains the main source of water to the lake,” GRLC President Siggy Pehel said. “We will continue adding blocks in 2022, 2023 and beyond to preserve and protect the lake and its watershed.”
These acres are components of the visionary GRLC watershed strategy to acquire property contiguous to the lake, obtain conservation easements from landowners within the watershed, to assist landowners to acquire farm preservation for their properties, and to continue to grow the green space in a township that has expanded high density planned residential developments in near proximity to the lake.
“While many thought our work was done when the lake was refilled in 2017, the GRLC has continued hard work over the last five years to preserve and protect the lake and its surrounding properties within the watershed. Our focus is to continue this work,” Pehel said. “This announcement of the grant is another puzzle piece that has fallen into place and would not have happened without ALT.”
ALT was able to use the value of a conservation easement that was gifted to ALT by Joan Goswell in 2021 as a match for the DCNR grant that is being used to purchase the 53 acres. A small gap in funding will need to be filled by the end of March when ALT will purchase the 53 acres and later transfer it to the PA Fish and Boat Commission.
“We thank GRLC and ALT for their sustained partnership. Thanks to them, a critical property of recreational and environmental importance in the Glade Run Lake watershed has been identified and funds secured to allow the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) to acquire the approximately 53 acre property,” said Tim Schaeffer, PFBC Executive Director. “This property will be combined with the PFBC’s Glade Run Lake property and will allow for the public use, protection, and preservation of these properties and Glade Run Lake.”
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About Glade Run Lake Conservancy The Glade Run Lake Conservancy (GRLC) is dedicated to the restoration, ongoing preservation, and improvement of Glade Run Lake and its adjacent lands, located in southern Butler County, Pennsylvania. By encouraging the use of Glade Run Lake and its surrounding park land, the GRLC promotes outdoor recreation, environmental conservation, and education of the natural world for people of all ages. More information can be found at gladerunlakeconservancy.org.
About Allegheny Land Trust Founded as a 501(c)(3)) nonprofit in 1993 in response to the rapidly declining amount of green space in Allegheny County, ALT has protected more than 3,400 acres to preserve our region’s unique natural beauty, provide accessible outdoor recreational opportunities, improve water quality, sustain biodiversity, and enhance the overall quality of life for all. ALT’s strategic priorities are in land protection, land stewardship, community conservation, and environmental education. More information can be found at alleghenylandtrust.org.
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RESULTING MEDIA COVERAGE:
Butler & Cranberry Eagle (1/11/2022), PA Environment Digest (1/28/2022)
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]]>The post RELEASE: TRALI Protects Enright Street Garden in East Liberty Neighborhood appeared first on Allegheny Land Trust.
]]>PA Environment Digest (11/9/2021)
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November 9, 2021
For Immediate Release
(East Liberty, Pittsburgh, PA) – The Three Rivers Agricultural Land Initiative (TRALI) officially protected the Enright Community Garden on October 29, 2021 in Pittsburgh’s East Liberty neighborhood.
“Now that the space is protected, we aren’t just going year-by-year, waiting to see if development pressure is going to trigger a sale of the property,” said Sallyann Kluz, an Enright Community Garden member.
For more than ten years, the garden had been maintained and improved by a committed group of community members and teachers from Kentucky Avenue School (KAS) in Shadyside with support from Grow Pittsburgh and East Liberty Development, Inc. (ELDI).
“We’ve had the privilege of helping to supply this garden with materials to grow into what it is now,” GP Executive Director Denele Hughson said. “It is both a relief and gift to now be able to promise that all their work will be protected and enjoyed for generations to come.”
TRALI protects existing community gardens and urban farms throughout the Pittsburgh region. Allegheny Land Trust (ALT) has purchased the land from ELDI, and Grow Pittsburgh will continue to support the garden with mentorship and resources.
“We are thrilled to partner with Grow Pittsburgh and the community to connect neighbors and address food insecurity concerns at Enright Community Garden,” ALT president and CEO Chris Beichner said. “Part of our vision is to make green space easily accessible and available to everyone, and we believe the TRALI initiative is helping to fulfill that vision.”
Located at 214 South Saint Clair Street, the site was previously an abandoned lot that neighbors hoped to improve.
“When I moved to East Liberty in 2002, the lot was vacant and overgrown. There was a high volume of drug trafficking happening, and it really contributed to the feeling that the end of the street, right up next to Enright Park, was unsafe and neglected,” said Kluz, who is also a neighbor to the garden and was an ELDI board member at the time.
Kluz proposed the idea of the City taking ownership of the lot and eventually transferring the title to ELDI. Simultaneously, Kim Wynnyckyj – a Whole Foods store manager in East Liberty who had previously worked with ELDI and other community members—approached ELDI about the idea of a community garden as an outreach program of the store.
Whole Foods, a group of neighbors and the nearby KAS came together in 2008 to make the garden a reality. Whole Foods provided the resources, including staff, supplies and funding. Meanwhile, KAS began offering lessons for their students in the garden in the fall and spring, using produce from the garden in their “Living Lunch” program.
Ever since, Enright Community Garden has served as a gathering place for neighbors as well as students, parents and teachers. Roughly 20 people each year volunteer and maintain beds at the garden. In the spring and summer, those beds are filled with tomatoes, zucchini, lettuce, raspberries and an array of other fruits and vegetables.
“The garden’s history and continuous presence in the neighborhood underscores its value to the community,” said ALT senior director of community conservation & resiliency Alyson Fearon. “In addition, the garden’s adjacency to the rapid redevelopment happening on the former Penn Plaza site in East Liberty raises its priority level in TRALI’s criteria, as the program seeks to protect vibrant-but-threatened gardens.”
Now that the future of the garden is secure, volunteers can dedicate their energy to long-term improvements. Next spring, the gardeners hope to turn the northern corner of the space into a perennial fruit garden with pear trees, blueberry bushes, and a strawberry patch.
“I love how land and place can reflect storytelling and collective memories, and seeing the garden become a part of the long-term fabric of East Liberty is important,” Kluz said.
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About Grow Pittsburgh
Grow Pittsburgh’s mission is to teach people how to grow food and promote the benefits that gardens bring to our neighborhoods. The organization was founded in 2005 and has been a registered 501c (3) entity since 2008. We use growing food as a platform to bring people and communities together, while inspiring them to be healthier individuals, learn new skills, care for the earth and make our city and region a more livable, equitable and desirable place to be. Please visit our website to learn more about the distinct programs and production sites that provide opportunities for people of all ages to grow their own food. More information can be found at growpittsburgh.org .
About Allegheny Land Trust
Founded as a 501(c)(3)) nonprofit in 1993 in response to the rapidly declining amount of green space in Allegheny County, ALT has protected more than 3,200 acres to preserve our region’s unique natural beauty, provide accessible outdoor recreational opportunities, improve water quality, sustain biodiversity, and enhance the overall quality of life for all. ALT’s strategic priorities are in land protection, land stewardship, community conservation, and environmental education. More information can be found at alleghenylandtrust.org .
About TRALI
TRALI launched in August 2017 as a partnership between Grow Pittsburgh and Allegheny Land Trust. The goal is to provide long-term security to local community gardens and urban farms. Four sites have been permanently protected and are owned by Allegheny Land Trust while Grow Pittsburgh provides support. The initiative creates the stability necessary to foster a vibrant, sustainable urban agriculture movement in the Pittsburgh region by removing the threat of future sales of agricultural lands for other development purposes and creating opportunity to expand urban agriculture.
Community gardens and urban farms provide environmental benefits including stormwater mitigation, pollinator habitat creation and neighborhood food insecurity reduction, and serve as vital places for social connections and community-building. There are more than 120 community gardens and urban farms in Allegheny County, many of which are using land without a formal land use agreement or have only temporary permission. More information can be found at growpittsburgh.org/landtrust .
Enright Community Garden
214 South Saint Clair Street, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15206
Contact: Jen DeFoe, Gardener
https://www.growpittsburgh.org/directory/garden/enright-community-garden
https://www.facebook.com/enrightgarden/
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RESULTING MEDIA COVERAGE:
PA Environment Digest (11/9/2021)
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]]>The post RELEASE: TRALI Protects Kincaid Street Garden in Garfield Neighborhood appeared first on Allegheny Land Trust.
]]>ELDI Blog – July 19, We Conserve PA Blog – July 27, PA Environment Digest Blog – July 27, Pittsburgh City Paper – August 11.
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(Garfield, Pittsburgh, PA) – The Three Rivers Agricultural Land Initiative (TRALI) has officially protected the Kincaid Street Garden in Pittsburgh’s Garfield neighborhood.
“Over the years, we feared that the lots could be taken out from under us, as has happened to other community gardens in Pittsburgh. That fear prevented us from making long-term investments in the garden,” long-time garden volunteer Lydia Yoder said. “We can now plan for a long future for the garden.”
Located approximately at 5414 Kincaid Street, the now-protected land was purchased as two parcels. One parcel was purchased from East Liberty Development, Inc. (ELDI), and the other was purchased from Penn Pioneer Enterprises Mark Fichtner and Aaron Chaney. There are two adjacent parcels used by the garden that TRALI plans to protect as well.
Today, the garden provides opportunities for local residents to grow healthy food, work the soil, and interact cooperatively with their neighbors. There are typically 25 gardeners working the gardens annually.
A joint venture between Pittsburgh-area nonprofits Grow Pittsburgh (GP) and Allegheny Land Trust (ALT), TRALI works to protect urban agricultural lands in perpetuity. Kincaid Street Garden was officially protected on July 20, 2021.
“We are thrilled to partner with Grow Pittsburgh and the community to connect neighbors and address food insecurity concerns at Kincaid Street Garden,” ALT President and CEO Chris Beichner said. “Part of our vision is to make green space easily accessible and available to everyone, and we believe our TRALI initiative is helping to fulfill that vision.”
Kincaid Street Garden formed in late 2012 when fellows from Pittsburgh Urban Leadership Service Experience (PULSE) worked with the Garfield Community Action Team, GP and Garfield residents to transform vacant parcels into growing space.
“We’ve had the privilege of helping to supply this garden with materials to grow into what it is now,” GP Executive Director Denele Hughson said. “It is both a relief and gift to now be able to promise that all their work will be protected and enjoyed for generations to come.”
Garfield residents can sign up to become a member of Kincaid Street Garden. As a member, they can care for collectively shared garden plots with perennial crops or adopt their own plot to care for independently. The garden is also used as a play space for kids that live nearby.
About Grow Pittsburgh
Grow Pittsburgh’s mission is to teach people how to grow food and promote the benefits that gardens bring to our neighborhoods. The organization was founded in 2005 and has been a registered 501c (3) entity since 2008. We use growing food as a platform to bring people and communities together, while inspiring them to be healthier individuals, learn new skills, care for the earth and make our city and region a more livable, equitable and desirable place to be. Please visit our website to learn more about the distinct programs and production sites that provide opportunities for people of all ages to grow their own food. More information can be found at growpittsburgh.org.
About Allegheny Land Trust
Founded as a 501(c)(3)) nonprofit in 1993 in response to the rapidly declining amount of green space in Allegheny County, ALT has protected more than 3,200 acres to preserve our region’s unique natural beauty, provide accessible outdoor recreational opportunities, improve water quality, sustain biodiversity, and enhance the overall quality of life for all. ALT’s strategic priorities are in land protection, land stewardship, community conservation, and environmental education. More information can be found at alleghenylandtrust.org.
About TRALI
TRALI launched in August 2017 with the goal of protecting and preserving selected urban agricultural lands in perpetuity. It will provide long-term security for existing community gardens and urban farms. A future goal is to protect vacant properties that are ideal for agricultural use. The initiative will create the stability necessary to foster a vibrant, sustainable urban agriculture movement in the Pittsburgh region by removing the threat of future sales of agricultural lands for other development purposes and creating opportunity to expand urban agriculture.
Community gardens and urban farms provide environmental benefits including stormwater mitigation, pollinator habitat creation and neighborhood food insecurity reduction, and serve as vital places for social connections and community-building. There are more than 120 community gardens and urban farms in Allegheny County, many of which are using land without a formal land use agreement or have only temporary permission. More information can be found at growpittsburgh.org/garden-and-farm-resources/community-gardens/start-and-build-a-garden/land-trust/.
Kincaid Street Garden
5409 Kincaid Street, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15206
Contact: [email protected]
https://www.growpittsburgh.org/directory/garden/kincaid-street-community-garden
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RESULTING MEDIA COVERAGE:
ELDI Blog – July 19, We Conserve PA Blog – July 27, PA Environment Digest Blog – July 27, Pittsburgh City Paper – August 11.
The post RELEASE: TRALI Protects Kincaid Street Garden in Garfield Neighborhood appeared first on Allegheny Land Trust.
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