MCKINLEY PARK 'CHICKEN HILL' OVERVIEW Centered around green infrastructure, the project incorporated key community priorities for upper McKinley Park, also known as Chicken Hill.
In 2016 the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) and American Planning Association (APA) awarded the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy a $435,000 Great Urban Parks Campaign grant for this improvement project. While centered around green infrastructure, the project incorporated key community priorities for upper McKinley Park, also known as Chicken Hill. These amenities include restored historical sandstone stairs, a new pavilion and gathering space with a built-in slide, a universally accessible trail throughout the area, overlooks made from reclaimed stone, and benches made from the trees that needed to be cut down on site. Work is being completed by John Zottola Landscaping Inc., Beltzhoover-based contractor Go Supreme, and the Department of Public Works.
Project Highlights
rain gardens redirecting stormwater
native species
crafted from trees salvaged on-site
Project Updates
August 1, 2020
The last time rain fell on Michigan Street in Beltzhoover, it flowed in a new direction. Now, instead of heading straight for the sewers and contributing to overflows that pollute Saw Mill Run and the Ohio River, this rainwater flows into McKinley park. It cascades through a new system of green infrastructure − an engineered landscape that carefully manages water for multiple benefits.
We continue to work with local contractor, Go Supreme, and the DPW to finish the remainder of the project, in anticipation of a Spring completion.