The Trust for Public Land has provided funding to do work in the Hazelwood Greenway, as determined by the community. There have been public meetings held in partnership with Hazelwood Initiative to help set the scope of the grant, which includes Landforce repairing and expanding the existing trail system, in addition to Allegheny GoatScape helping to manage invasive species for a future tree planting site. You can find the results of the public input activities below, as well as photos of work as it happens!
Goats in the Greenway!
Scroll through the photos of the herd from Allegheny GoatScape helping manage the invasive species in preparation for a tree planting later this year.
Results of First Community Meeting Activities
- A connection from Schenley to Frick Park, Duck Hollow, Glen Hazel wooded area, bridge over to Hays Woods?
- Different types of landscapes
- Having Hazelwood Greenway as a big hub that connects to other green spaces in City
- Trail connections
- More culturally diverse—people and activities
- Wild, natural space like forest, trails, overlooks—minimal structures
- Rest/break areas with seating
- Wildlife migration corridors and habitat
- Night sky protection
- Native plants
- Food sources
- Benches for rest
- Permanent infrastructure
- WPA Foot bridges
- Pathways with emergency phones/poll for emergency communications
- Markers!! (for emergencies and general signage)
- Signage at entryways
- Better visibility
- Needs to be more approachable/accessible/inviting for those who haven’t used it previously
- More public art! Things that don’t interfere with nature, such as a forest art walk, benches
- Photo opportunities “instagrammable spots” (views, art, etc.)
- Multiple access levels for different users/uses (low to high intensity and distances)
- Outdoor recreational space with training and employment opportunities in the outdoor field, science walks, etc.
- Unique elements such as a human sundial
- Prism for rainbows (good photo op)
- Butterfly habitat!
- Species diversification (different plants, animals—more resilient ecosystem)
- iNaturalist inventory
- Pine trees, evergreens—more color, in the winter, especially
- More/better forest management
- Invasive species management
- Water feature (utilizing/engineering all the water that runs through it)
- Dealing with mine subsidence/drainage [Giddings]
- Highlighting Hazelwood’s history of high-quality springs—and doing testing to explore water quality
- Greenway to be a destination—a reason people come to Hazelwood
- Education! Signage, history—addressing negative and highlighting positive
- Highlighting cultural history and Native American presence, history of industry in Hazelwood
- Showcasing the greenway’s ability to address air quality—how do we quantify all the work the trees are doing?
- Address air quality, urban heat island
- Near Elizabeth Bridge tracks (by Post Office) excavation/archaeology—artifacts found—could we get more information on this?
- View points (highlight on signage)
- Scavenger hunts!
- Destination points within greenway
- More trails = more freedom to explore (expanding options and intensity)
- High quality maps that identify all the trails, spots, amenities, etc.
- Maps in greenway along trail (signage)
- Activities in greenway that aid in exploring
- Community science (hashtag challenges on signage)—utilizing social media for data collection and education!
- Bringing in movement, exercise and education
- How are we going to make it a space for children to use? And where are the youth? How do we get them outside and exploring!?
- Fostering partnerships to expand programming and users
- Partnering with schools and youth groups
- One Tree per Child (TreePGH)
- Three Rivers Village?
- Burgwin Spray Park
- Community Volunteer Days
- Protect existing forest, both in and outside official greenway
- Expanding the formal greenway (for instance, garden on Flowers Ave.)
- Expansion, preservation: we can’t address high user demand without adequate “supply"
- Increased accessibility for those who don’t live right next to greenway (where do you park your bike or car, how do you walk there if there are no sidewalks, etc.)
- Having some accessible options in greenway
- Forest health! (Trees saved from vines)
- More people in the greenway, to help with stewardship
- Forming/formalizing a stewardship group to maintain the greenway
- Increased maintenance
- Utilizing the local tree tenders for maintenance
- Leveraging the help from scouts, etc.
- Targeting “tree of heaven” invasive tree in initial phase which attracts spotted lantern fly which is a huge threat and then replant with oyster mushrooms
- Seasonal interests: spring wildflower walk, bird migration or eagle viewing site, maybe a few winter lights.
- Involve community--if you ask people for help (cleanup, invasive weed removal), they often do!
- Record presence of wildlife.
- Protect most of forest and increase its health and diversity; have some places that are "off limits" like Frick's habitat, or temporary signs for invasive species removal--"if you see this plant, pull it out and carry it to x place".
- Daylight any streams that are in culverts or underground pipes; preserve boggy woodland habitats, don't drain.
- Parking for cars and bike
- Have more volunteer days
- Improved tree health and basic forest management.
- Wildlife migration corridors and habitats
- Dark sky
- Native plants; food sources (pawpaw, berry bushes)
- Good footing all weather for exercise
- Views
- Benches for rest; permanent and well-built infrastructure
