5.8 miles of trail repairs to be unveiled
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For years, the list of problems grew: Erosion, broken pipes, crumbling bridges in Falls Ravine trail, Nine Mile Run trail, Lower South Braddock trail, Upper Hollow Run trail, the Bob Harvey trail among many others.
Working with city parks foremen in the four Regional Asset District-funded parks, the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy kept a list of infrastructure needs, recurring washouts and damage. Seven years later -- last year -- the nonprofit put $3.72 million in funding to work.
Today, in a ceremony at 10 a.m. at the Schenley Park Cafe and Visitor Center, the conservancy will mark the near-completion of almost six miles of trail and infrastructure repairs and new signs in Frick, Highland, Riverview and Schenley parks. The work should be finished in two weeks, said its management and maintenance director, Phil Gruszka.
Mr. Gruszka said he has been heartened by park users through the process, even when they walked around the bulldozers instead of finding alternative routes, as signs instructed. "People love their parks. When people ask, 'What are you doing?' I love it, because it means they're paying attention."
Along part of the Falls Ravine trail in Frick Park on Friday, regular walkers, most with dogs, said they appreciate the new drainage cylinders, rebuilt footbridges, large gravel and fallen timber placed strategically to divert water rushing down the slopes.
"I love this park," said Jerry McKeithen of East Liberty. "I walk my dogs here every day, and you can tell they've done a lot to control the erosion."
Valerie Gateman has been walking her dog twice a day every day in the park while in the city from Canada visiting her daughter. "I've noticed the transfer of soil and gravel and bridge repair," she said. "But mainly I just notice the beauty."
Tom Armstrong of Squirrel Hill admitted he was "one of those people" who walked around the bulldozers rather than detour from the ravine trail.
"At first, this looked like a rich man's driveway in Ligonier. It was so perfect." The rustic feel has returned with the falling leaves, he said. "They've done a good job."
First Published September 27, 2010 12:00 am
