Emerald View Park Planting Sites With support from the City of Pittsburgh, community partners, and volunteers, the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy has stewarded community greenspaces in Emerald View Park for nearly a decade.

ABOUT THE PROJECT

Throughout Emerald View Park (EVP), our Horticulture and Forestry team maintains and improves various planting sites, including entry gardens, deer exclosures, and other ecological restoration projects.  

In EVP, our ecological restoration work is guided by the same priorities as any other park. We understand that park ecosystems have suffered from years of human-driven disturbance, deer overpopulation, and invasive plant proliferation, among other factors. We also recognize that native plant communities are the cornerstone of healthy ecosystems.

In the sites we adopt for restoration activities, we typically seek to reduce invasive plant dominance and replace those with the natives that make life possible for the rest of the local wildlife we know and love, including: 

  • Insects and arthropods 
  • Birds 
  • Reptiles 
  • Mammals 

The unique topography of EVP, with its severely steep slopes, sets it apart in several ways. One of these is the “viewshed,” which offers breathtaking views of the city and the surrounding landscape. We understand the value of this aspect to those who live, work, and travel here. Therefore, we carefully select plants for our restoration sites that provide all the necessary benefits without obstructing the views that make this park so special. 

Hillside stabilization is another essential factor we consider in our restoration areas. We minimize erosion risk by planting species well adapted to well-drained, steep slopes whose roots can really lock in the soil and keep it from traveling downhill. Many of the plants native to our region are excellently adapted to these conditions. 

Graphic developed to illustrate  benefits of native plant communities. Special thanks to Mount Washington Community Development Corporation.

Some of these spaces, such as the entry gardens at Grandview Park and Anchor Green, have been cherished neighborhood treasures for decades. Emerald View Park, rich in history and fond memories for long-time community members, is a place where we find great joy in collaborating with local volunteers to maintain its beauty.

In addition to these cherished areas, we have established new sites throughout Emerald View Park. Notable among these are the woodland restoration sites at Grandview Park, Mt. Washington Park, and the Greenleaf Trailhead. The PPC plans, constructs, and maintains these projects, which utilize deer exclosures to ensure the success and longevity of tree plantings.

Did you know that deer exclosures are fenced areas that allow young trees to grow without the risk of being eaten by deer? Like in many parts of our region, the impacts of deer overpopulation in EVP are easy to observe and damage the park’s ecology. As deer preferentially eat the plants native to our region (tree seedlings, wildflowers, etc.), many invasive plants are left un-eaten, allowing them to disperse widely throughout the park. These large-scale ecological challenges are difficult obstacles to overcome, but each year, we make more progress in our planting goals around the park.

PLANTING SITES & RESOURCES

Emerald View Park is home to a diverse array of planting sites, each offering unique natural beauty and opportunities for community engagement. These sites include:

  • Grandview Park
  • Bigbee Field
  • Sycamore Saddle
  • Anchor Green
  • Point of View
  • Greenleaf Trailhead
  • Mt. Washington Park

These areas not only enhance the local environment but also serve as gathering spaces for community members and visitors alike. Our efforts to maintain and restore these sites are supported by various resources and best practices, ensuring that we preserve the natural beauty of Emerald View Park for generations to come.

Project Resources:

These resources provide valuable information on managing invasive species, landscaping with native plants, and understanding the ecological challenges faced by Pennsylvania's forests. Together, they empower us to protect and enhance the natural beauty of our cherished park spaces.

This Work is Generously Support By

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PROJECT PARTNERS

 

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