Spring lantern walk by Fox Chapel Parks Conservancy brings in nearly $20,000 for preservation efforts

A starry night and a tree-lined walking path combined for a picturesque fundraiser by the Fox Chapel Parks Conservancy.

The group ushered in spring with a lantern walk at Riding Meadow Park, the second in a series of four fundraisers to protect green space in Fox Chapel.

“It was a beautiful event,” resident Maurin Stone said. “The kids loved having their own lanterns to carry, and they lit up Riding Meadow Park like fireflies.”

Stone said it was a welcome sight for so many people to come out and support the parks.

In all, about 300 people trekked along the park’s path, which was illuminated with votives just after sundown on March 20, the first day of spring.

Conservancy co-founder Mandy Steele said the natural beauty was the fitting backdrop to inspire participants to protect green spaces more aggressively.

“Fox Chapel’s natural areas are so important to the whole region,” Steele said. “Conservation is critically important in slowing the progression of climate change and mitigating the impacts of shifting weather patterns. We’re working on protecting more land.”

The conservancy was formed in late 2020 to raise money and awareness for the borough’s park system, which has more than 300 miles of trails stretching from Beechwood Farms Nature Reserve to O’Hara.

It dovetailed with a spike in park use during the pandemic and gave people an awareness of how natural spaces are integral to aesthetics and well-being, Steele said.

The lantern walk brought in nearly $20,000.

It followed the conservancy’s inaugural fundraiser in January, which was a glittering field of more than 500 lanterns situated in McCahill Park.

“We so grateful to our community of Fox Chapel Parks Conservancy supporters, our energetic volunteers and our generous sponsors,” Steele said. “It was a beautiful night in the woods and people are clamoring for the next one.”

A summer event is in the works for Hardie Valley Park, as well as a fall illumination at Trillium Trail. Dates are not yet set.

Rebecca Witt Cohen said her family is new to the area and is grateful to have access to beautiful natural resources protected by the conservancy.

“Events like the spring lantern walk are unique to Fox Chapel and our family has been thrilled to attend,” she said. “We can’t wait for the next event.”

For more information, visit foxchapelparksconservancy.org.