Local groups discuss green future for McKeesport

Western Pennsylvania Conservancy, Urbankind Institute and the Audubon Society are joining city officials in the effort.

The vision of a greener McKeesport took a step forward Monday evening in the basement of McKeesport Presbyterian Church.

The church was the site of a public meeting to share plans for developing “green infrastructure” in the city and soliciting public input and ideas toward that goal.

The project is a cooperative effort of the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy, the City of McKeesport, the Urbankind Institute and the Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania.

“Green infrastructure” is a term that describes designing structures in urban environments that work with nature to improve the environmental impact of communities and make life more pleasant for its residents. This approach to urban design is particularly valuable in McKeesport, which lies between the Youghiogheny and Monongahela rivers.

The Western Pennsylvania Conservancy is one of the oldest and most prominent environmental organizations in the region. Founded in 1932, the focus of the conservancy was originally to preserve large natural areas in Western Pennsylvania but in recent years has included “greening” smaller urban spaces, such as flower plantings, in its efforts. The conservancy has taken an active role in improving the urban environment in McKeesport.

Tube City Renaissance is a local grassroots organization dedicated to revitalizing McKeesport by taking a holistic approach to community development. Members believe that greening the city’s infrastructure will make it a healthier place to live for its residents. The McKeesport Community Garden is one of the most successful initiatives launched by Tube City Renaissance.

The Urbankind Institute describes itself as a “thinkand- do tank.” Based in Pittsburgh, its goal is to coordinate the resources of local city governments, academics and civic organization to help solve the problems faced by the people of Western Pennsylvania.

In recent years, the Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania has increased its presence in McKeesport.

It has set up a local office in city hall and presented numerous nature and environmental programs to local residents. One of the society’s most successful programs in the Mon-Yough area has been working with local homeowners to create certified backyard wildlife habitats.

During Monday’s meeting, Alicia Wehrle, Community Forestry project manager for the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy, revealed the results of a “hydrological analysis” of McKeesport. This analysis mapped areas where the current drainage infrastructure leads to occasional flooding during heavy storms.

The goal of the study was to identify areas where natural “rain gardens” could reduce the problem. Rain gardens use planting of native plants and bogs to capture runoff and gradually release it back into the environment.

After reviewing the study, the conservancy has identified two areas for proposed rain garden projects. One is JFK Park on Lysle Boulevard, where the conservancy plan calls for planting a small grove of trees and other native plants to capture rainwater and green the space.

Kelly Park is the other area chosen for the pilot project. Located along Walnut Street between Sixth Street and Shaw Avenue, the park is notable as the location of an old railroad signal tower. The plan for Kelly Park calls for the space, which is now an expanse of lawn, to be planted with native trees and wetland plants.

Another green initiative taking place throughout the city is the planting of trees along the city’s streets. Urban tree plantings are one of the most effective ways to improve the city’s environment. Trees help control water run-off, cool air temperatures in the city and clean the air.

Jim Butler, CEO of Tube City Renaissance, said volunteers planted 17 trees this spring along McKeesport Market Street funded by a grant by the Environmental Protection Agency. Another tree planting will take place this fall. Butler said in addition to all the practical benefits of tree planting, they make the city a much nicer place to live.

The group noted that some residents pushed back on the planting of trees along their streets. Critics of the program cite the damage trees have done to sidewalks and streets in the past and the danger of roots blocking sewer lines.

Wehrle said that the solution to this problem is education, adding that these problems stem from choosing the wrong species of trees for an urban planting. She said current programs use “smart planting” and select trees that are suited to an urban environment.