Elizabeth embracing its environmental heritage
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Lewis and Clark didn't pass much industry as they floated out of Elizabeth, where the first and largest of their keelboats is believed to have been built at the very start of their historic transcontinental journey.
In the months following last year's Lewis and Clark celebration in the southeastern Allegheny County town, local entrepreneurs have organized and received grants that they hope will turn the post-industrial Monongahela river bank into a new environmental fun zone.
"This opens up a myriad of environmental education possibilities," said business owner Bill Boucher, vice president of the Elizabeth Area Development Corporation, the nonprofit group spearheading the effort. "Besides partnering with Consol Energy [which owns much of the land], our group has been conducting a dialogue with Carnegie Science Center RiverQuest Project, the Pennsylvania Game Commission and Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania."
The group hopes to build or enhance mountain biking, fishing and walking/running opportunities around Elizabeth.
Besides the waterfront development project, Elizabeth Borough was awarded a $60,000 grant to renovate Duke Park.
Several complimentary economic development partnerships are in the works for the site, which already includes a riverfront fishing pier:
• Partnership with Friends of the Riverfront to increase canoe/kayak access and promote Elizabeth as access point to Heritage River Trails system.
• Partnership with Three Rivers Rowing to establish a satellite rowing facility on the Mon.
• Partnerships with several groups to develop a Rails to Trails connection with the existing Great Allegheny Passage.
• Partnerships with Consol Energy, the Pennsylvania Game Commission and Carnegie Science Center's RiverQuest to develop an interdisciplinary education center utilizing the river, environment and unique local history as a basis for educational programs and professional development for teachers.
• Partnership with Rivers of Steel regarding the establishment of historic and interpretive activities, including self-guided walking tours, centered on the area's historic legacy.
• Partnerships to promote special waterfront events.
First Published January 18, 2009 12:00 am
