Noise complaints prompt regulations at Hartwood Acres

Hartwood Acres is one of the most sought-after wedding destinations in Allegheny County, but, starting next year, revelers will need to comply with scaled-back noise and time guidelines.

“The township has received complaints of excessive noise from events at the mansion,” Indiana Township Manager Dan Anderson said.

The 629-acre park that straddles Indiana and Hampton townships is owned by the county but also is nestled among residential properties.

Anderson forwarded the concerns to the county, which quickly took steps to protect neighbors while also keeping the venue available for weddings and other large-scale festivities.

“The current contract does state that all parties are subject to local laws and ordinances,” said Kelsey Dowd, chief marketing officer for the county.

“Weddings at the mansion will be required to use our sound system and end at 10 p.m.”

The county also will prohibit live amplified music at the events.

In an effort to mitigate the sound projected from the mansion, Dowd’s office consulted with local acoustics experts and installed a centralized sound system within the mansion pavilion.

Comprising a sound board and speakers, the system allows the county to control the volume of the music and the direction that it travels.

Dowd said weddings at Hartwood were postponed for about two years because of the pandemic and then for construction of the recently opened sculpture garden.

Because of the hiatus, demand increased and there were 50 weddings this year, up from 27 in 2019.

“We want the park to be a good neighbor while also allowing county residents to enjoy the many amenities and features of the park,” Dowd said. “We will continue to work to find that balance.”