Triboro Ecodistrict awarded Hillman Foundation grant for sustainability projects

The Etna EcoPark is among several Lower Valley projects to get a boost from the Hillman Foundation this week, which announced $250,000 for sustainability programs in the borough, along with those in Millvale and Sharpsburg.

Money was awarded to the Triboro Ecodistrict, a partnership between New Sun Rising, Etna Community Organization and Sharpsburg Neighborhood Organization.

The EcoPark at the corner of Grant and Wilson streets will include rain garden plants, furniture, a permeable walkway, educational signs, an herb garden, little library and little pantry, Etna Community Organization Director Megan Tunon said.

Portions of the grant will also support planning and design of a library, and Tunon hopes some money will be funneled to community events later this year.

“We are very much looking forward to gathering with our neighbors once again and working together to build these projects,” she said.

The Hillman grant is meant to support operations of existing programs in the three municipalities through December, strengthening efforts to serve residents with projects such as food programs, green stormwater management and flood preparation, according to Alyse Horn Pyatt, communications manager for New Sun Rising.

Other work paid by the grant will include staff costs for managing the Gardens of Millvale and support to Save Girty’s Woods, a $723,000 acquisition of green space in Millvale, Shaler and Reserve.

Brian Wolovich, director of the Triboro Ecodistrict, said the 155-acre parcel is a once-in-multiple-generations opportunity to save a forest that provides stormwater, air quality and recreational benefits for the community.

Wolovich also noted there is consideration for a shared library system in Millvale, Etna and Sharpsburg.

Residents of the three communities are encouraged to complete a survey by Feb. 14 to share their thoughts on the proposal at bit.ly/triborolibrary.

Millvale Mayor Brian Spoales said the Hillman grant recognizes the hard work by the trio of towns.

“The support that this grant provides to us will help solidify the continuing efforts for completing projects along with providing a jump start on new ideas,” Spoales said.