Opening of Titan Arboretum, T’s Trail celebrated

They were developed in partnership with Tree Pittsburgh.

For Arbor Day, a living outdoor classroom came to the West Mifflin Area School District.

From left, Allegheny County District 9 Council Representative Aaron Adams, West Mifflin assistant superintendent Jeff Solomon and Tree Pittsburgh employee Jonathan Fantazier ride a golf cart at West Mifflin Area School District’s Titan Arboretum and T’s Trail Friday afternoon. Sarah Pellis / MVI

The district celebrated the grand opening of its Titan Arboretum and T’s Trail with a ribbon-cutting ceremony Friday afternoon.

“We decided that this was a perfect opportunity to improve an area of our campus along with having students take full advantage of it,” said Assistant Superintendent Dr. Jeff Solomon. “I think it’s a proud day for West Mifflin, and the West Mifflin School District.”

There are distinct areas of the project, which started in December 2024.

One is T’s Trail for younger students to take advantage of STEAM activities, the second is a cross-country trail, which was not open Friday, and that is all within the Titan Arboretum.

West Mifflin Area school district assistant superintendent Jeff Solomon presents at the opening of their Titan Arboretum and T’s Trail Friday afternoon. Sarah Pellis / MVI

“The Arboretum is a symbol of the West Mifflin School District and community pride that gives an opportunity for our students and community members to enjoy, interact and enjoy the environment,” Solomon said.

The event was followed by a Color Fun Run, welcoming students, staff and community members to experience the new space. The cross country team will use the whole trail.

Developed in partnership with Tree Pittsburgh and supported by the West Mifflin Community Foundation and student volunteers, the space is located on an unused hillside at the school’s campus — straight down the hill from the high school.

The 19 acres reflect a strong commitment to environmental education and stewardship, according to a release from the district. Students can learn outdoors, athletes can train and more.

Superintendent Jeffery Soles said the space also represents growth, learning, reflection and deep connection to nature and community.

“It’s unbelievable, and a really good thing,” West Mifflin social studies teacher and Community Foundation member Ray Rost said. “This can be used at all different levels. We’ve always been trying to pair with the school, and help them out, and this kinda was a really good fit. We’ve provided the workout equipment and the workout stations. That was our contribution to it. “

According to Rost, the Community Foundation tries to do anything it can give back to the community, and the foundation got involved because this area is multifunctional.

In addition to academic use, the trail supports student wellness and athletics, offering training opportunities for cross country and Air Force JROTC, while also expanding outdoor access for the broader community.

Along the trail, there is a butterfly and bat house that was made by one of the high school’s classes, along with various signs for air quality, West Mifflin history and more. There will be bushes around to attract butterflies in the sensory area of the trail.

The certified arboretum features more than 25 species of native trees, interactive QR-coded learning stations and three sensory elements that bring lessons to life.

Jonathan Fantazier, an employee with One Tree Per Child Program Manager and Tree Pittsburgh,  said the trees they planted on the property each fill a different niche in the ecosystem.

“It’s fun to identify different trees, but when you learn those different trees do different things, students really benefit from understanding those complexities, and they can apply those understandings to other things that they study,” Fantazier said. “So many things that students study today, they study in an abstract way by being immersed in a real environmental space. Students will learn much more deeply all the things we hope for them to learn.”

Fantazier added that getting kids involved with the environment is much more healthy for them.

Tree Pittsburgh was supported by the Allegheny County Health Department’s clean air fund, and there were five schools on the grant.

They planted 19 new species, 250 trees and 25 unique species. They also removed a lot of invasive plants, and added erosion control in different areas, according to Fantazier, who finished planting last fall, and will expand on more trees in the future.

“Our greatest hope is that students will come away curious, and want to learn more about trees, more about the environment in which they live, and more about how they can support a healthy environment,” Fantazier said. “We love the mantra, the right tree in the right place, and everything was chosen for the space it’s in.”