Fox Chapel Winter Lantern Walk aims to connect people with nature

Salamander Park in Fox Chapel will transform into an illuminated wonderland for a winter walk on the longest night of the year.

The Winter Solstice Lantern Walk, hosted by the Fox Chapel Parks Conservancy, will wrap up a year’s worth of fundraisers aimed at protecting the borough’s green spaces.

“Well beyond my expectations, these events really resonated with the community,” said Mandy Steele, councilwoman and conservancy co-founder.

Mayor Alex Scott and parks commission Chairman Wes Posvar also are co-founders of the nonprofit.

The lantern walk will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Dec. 18. It is free, but donations are welcome.

Pets are not permitted. Parking is at McCahill Park, just across the street along Hemlock Hollow Road.

The conservancy hosted three earlier lantern walks, each highlighting a different borough park.

The summer fundraiser, hosted at the borough’s newest recreational space, Hardie Valley, boasted 1,200 candles scattered throughout the meadows and trails. It featured performances by members of the Pittsburgh Opera and dancers from Attack Theatre.

The fundraisers have brought in nearly $100,000, but Steele said a larger part of the mission is to educate people on how to connect to the parks and grow them for the future.

“Our goal is to get people outside, into these special spaces and ask them to reflect on the importance of conservation,” she said. “These parks belong to the people, and we want them to feel that connection.”

Volunteer Jen Mackey said people from across the area have been drawn to the events. Mackey and her children have helped with lantern setup at previous lantern walks.

“I’ve talked to many people who frequent the parks but who said that seeing them in a new light has been exciting,” Mackey said.

Guests at the Lantern Walk will receive a complimentary light meal from Clean Eatz in Blawnox and hot chocolate from Three Little Birds in Hampton.

Steele is working on a schedule of events for next year. She said that based on the public response to light festivals, they will continue in some fashion.

For details, visit foxchapelparksconservancy.org.