Bushy Run Battlefield reopens after June tornado

Anna Watson couldn’t wait to return to the walking trails at Bushy Run Battlefield in Penn Township.

“We didn’t realize how much damage it did,” said Watson, 33, of Sewickley of the June 26 tornado that cased what officials estimated to be about $1 million in damage to the historic site.

That prompted its closure over the last two months as cleanup crews worked to ready the park to once again host visitors.

The battlefield where British and colonial soldiers defeated native warriors, enabling them to end the siege of Fort Pitt during Pontiac’s War in August 1763, had been a regular walking spot for Watson and her group prior to the storm.

It uprooted as many as 60 trees, many of which had historic significance, and downed power lines along with other weather-related damage along the numerous trails and at museum.

Watson was among of group of local residents and the curious who returned to see the park as it reopened Saturday morning with a two-day open house that included free museum entrance and guided tours of the battlefield.

“It was so eerie, no one was here. There was no one walking their dogs, no one enjoying the parks,” said Bonnie Ramus, president of the Bushy Run Battlefield Heritage Society. “We’re so glad we are open again.”

The primary walking trails have been cleared. Several of the more remote trails remain closed as the storm cleanup continues.

Chas Anderson, 52, of Penn Township, said the Boy Scout troop he oversees in Claridge for the last several years has held an event each October at the historic site. He wasn’t sure if the park would reopen in time for this year’s gathering.

“I’m glad everything is reopened. This is a great park to have 10 minutes from home,” Anderson said. “We knew there was a lot of damage, so it’s great to see it will be reopen in time for our event.”

Barry Harvey, 71, of Ligonier Township and a volunteer guide at Fort Ligonier was among the first visitors at Bushy Run on Saturday.

“We’re part of the same event, the battle. and people have been asking about it (Bushy Run),” Harvey said. “I’ve been telling people to watch the website. I wanted to come down and show support.”

Irene Garder, a Penn Township resident, made her first trip to the battlefield on Saturday with her 6-year-old granddaughter.

“It’s so exciting,” Garder said. “We wanted to see it now that it reopened.”