The weather is getting warmer. The Pirates are back in PNC Park. You may be thinking about doing more outdoor activities. How about a walk in the park? Specifically, how about a walk in one of Mt. Lebanon’s passive parks?
Mt. Lebanon has three passive parks: Robb Hollow, Twin Hills Park, and Bird Park. The passive parks have a more natural environment. Our active parks such as Mt. Lebanon, Rockwood, Meadowcroft, and Church Place parks, have facilities like swings sets, tennis courts, and basketball hoops.
Robb Hollow Park is bordered by Cedar Boulevard, Painters Run Road, and Kelso/Robb Hollow roads, and a portion of the park also parallels parts of Arrowood and Driftwood drives. Recently, the municipality enlarged the park by purchasing 2.2 acres of land on Kelso/Robb Hollow roads, as well as the property at corner of Cedar Boulevard and Painters Run. Surprisingly large, Robb Hollow Park has a number of walking trails, including one on the hillside behind the public works buildings. Some residents enjoy bird watching in the park’s upper area. Other residents like to walk their dogs in the area off Robb Hollow Road and Driftwood Drive.
[1]Twin Hills Park is located near North Meadowcroft Avenue and can be entered from Twin Hills and Oak Forest drives. Mt. Lebanon acquired the land about 20 years ago. The Mt. Lebanon Nature Conservancy, the Boy Scouts and other volunteers have maintained the walking trails and battled invasive plant species in this park. Residents enjoy walking their dogs or taking a pleasant stroll through this park.
Bird Park is bordered by Washington Road, Beadling Road, Youngwood Road and Mayfair Drive. Lower Bird Park, the most pastoral area of the park, can be accessed via Bird Park Drive off Cedar Boulevard. The park has a number of trails that are used for walking or running. The upper part of the park, accessible from the parking lot across from Markham School, is home to John Doctor Field, which is used for youth soccer and lacrosse programs. Bird Park has a picnic pavilion nestled in the woods that can be rented for birthday parties and other events.
There are many other quiet, green spaces throughout the community, such as the conservation district along Connor Road, where people can exercise while enjoying nature.
I hope you will visit one of our passive parks and that we will see you on a trail soon.
Steve Silverman is the Commission Liaison to the Parks Board, which meets the first Tuesday of each month at 7:30 in the Municipal Building, Room C. If you have questions about our parks or ideas for park enhancements, you are welcome to attend and speak in public comment.