Fox Chapel lands $442,000 grant for Hardie Valley Park development

On the heels of the new 17-acre Hardie Valley Park opening in Fox Chapel, officials announced the borough was awarded a nearly $450,000 grant to help with development.

Money will help pay a six-year, three-phase improvement plan for the space off Old Mill Road.

In all, work is expected to total $3.3 million and will be aimed at improving open space, preserving water resources and providing passive recreation.

Money was made available through the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.

Manager Gary Koehler said a master plan for the park includes invasive plant control, crosswalk improvements and a boardwalk with an overlook.

Phase 1 is already underway, with the razing of the land’s home and barn. A stone chimney was preserved for future use.

Initial work also includes rerouting Old Squaw Run Trail, with a section at the northern end of the property reconfigured with a stream crossing. The main, proposed trail route will be cut to provide use until future development.

Phase 2 will include trails, parking lot renovation and an interpretative plaza dedicated to Fred Rogers, who once owned the property and used it as a summer home. The plaza will be built adjacent to the preserved chimney, and the footprint will match that of the former home.

Phase 3 will see work to build the green stormwater infrastructure corridor, and the resilience planning is something Councilwoman Mandy Steele said is a coup for the borough.

“Wetlands capture stormwater in big rains, sink carbon and create habitat for wildlife,” Steele said.

“Climate change is bringing more wet weather to the region. Conservation and green infrastructure is critical to mitigating this change.”