Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy and FedEx Ground Volunteers to Plant Trees, Remove Invasive Species in McKinley Park

WHEN: Friday, May 11 from 9:30 a.m. – 1p.m. (Rain date: May 18, 9:30 a.m. – 1p.m.)

WHERE: McKinley Park with entrance in Beltzhoover.

DETAILS: As part of their involvement in the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, volunteers from the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy and FedEx Ground will work together to plant trees, remove invasive plants and beautify McKinley Park.

To enhance McKinley Park, one of Pittsburgh’s historic parks, about 30 volunteers from FedEx Ground will join the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy in planting trees, removing invasive species and some general landscaping and maintenance in a woodland area in the park. A fence will also be installed to protect the newly planted trees from deer. Targeted invasive species to be removed include garlic mustard and Japanese Knotweed, both of which harm the ecological health of the woodlands. This work is part of a new project that combines park entrance beautification, storm water management and ecological restoration.

The 78.5-acre McKinley Park, located near the Beltzhoover, Knoxville, Bon Air and Allentown neighborhoods of Pittsburgh, has been a community asset since 1870. The park features play areas for children, wooded hiking trails, a skate park, sports courts, a baseball field and an activities center. Since 2013, the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy has completed numerous projects to revitalize the park and reconnect it to the public.

On-site contact: Judith Koch, Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy Landscape & Volunteer Coordinator,
847-644-4814, jkoch@pittsburghparks.org