Newly formed Fox Chapel Parks Conservancy sponsors winter lantern festival

A visit to McCahill Park in Fox Chapel on Jan. 1 will be nothing short of magical as the site transforms into a glistening field of lights at sundown.

The effort is to promote the newly created Fox Chapel Parks Conservancy, founded to emphasize the community’s passion for its expansive park system that stretches nearly 345 acres.

“We’ve seen more people than ever using Fox Chapel’s beautiful park and trail system as the pandemic pushed people outside,” Councilperson and Conservancy Co-Founder Mandy Steele said. “Many people were blown away by the treasure they discovered right in our own community.”

But parks require upkeep and funding and the new conservation effort will require a commitment from the community, organizers said.

The group plans a series of seasonal lantern-themed events that bring both community and light into the parks.

The kickoff is Jan. 1 with a winter lantern installation at McCahill Park.

People are encouraged to help fill the field with light by sponsoring lanterns for $25 each. From 5:30 to 9:30 p.m., people are encouraged to enjoy the shimmery scene from the car, or, wander through the field so long as masks are worn and social distancing is followed.

A plan for the conservancy was spurred a few months back by Mayor Alex Scott, who was eyeing a way to simplify donating to the upkeep, protection and expansion of the park system.

Scott, Steele and borough parks commission chairman Wes Posvar serve as founding members of the conservancy.

“We felt it would be helpful to interested donors to have a fund that would specifically support improvements and expansion to any and all of our parks, which are more popular than ever,” Scott said.

He explained obstacles uncovered while the borough was fundraising recently for the acquisition of the 17-acre Hardie Valley Park, with donations arriving through multiple sources such as charitable funds and foundations.

“There were a few who wanted to donate appreciated stock or funds from an estate, which we could not accommodate,” he said.

Similar to the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy and Allegheny County Parks Foundation, albeit on a smaller scale, the local nonprofit will be able to accept all types of donations while providing tax receipts.

“This should have a big, long-term benefit to the parks and trails,” Scott said.

To donate, visit cfalleghenies.org or follow the conservancy at facebook.com/foxchapelparksconservancy.