Wildlife observation blind to open at Murrysville nature reserve on Earth Day
The Westmoreland Conservancy will celebrate Earth Day on April 22 by officially opening a newly constructed wildlife observation blind along an accessible trail in the Moroisini Reserve off Ringertown Road in Murrysville.
“We don’t want to leave anybody out. Accessibility — that’s a goal we really embrace,” said Shelly Tichy, president of the Murrysville-based Westmoreland Conservancy.
The wildlife observation blind in the 183-acre nature reserve is accessible from the reserve’s parking lot by the .4-mile Universal Pedestrian Trail that was built with a slag base to allow for easier access by wheelchairs, Tichy said. More work will be done to make the base of the trail firm, Tichy said.
“The Universal Pedestrian Trail allows people with mobility issues the opportunity to spend time in the outdoors,” said Rob Malley, vice president of the conservancy. The trail, complete with rest benches and special parking, leads to a quiet pond for reflection and so people can be surrounded by nature, Malley added.
Building the wood-framed wildlife observation blind was delayed two years because of the covid pandemic, Tichy said.
Several people can view wildlife from inside the 12-foot-by-24-foot structure at the same time, Tichy said. A short ramp allows access to the structure, which a contractor built above ground on concrete piers to prevent damage from stormwater runoff, Tichy said.
The conservancy received a $5,000 grant from the former Dominion Resources to help pay part of the $28,000 cost, then held fundraising events to cover the remaining $23,000 expense of the project, Tichy said.
“This is one of several projects to make Morosini more accessible,” Tichy said.
The official ribbon cutting of the Wildlife Observation Blind will be at 5:30 pm. April 22 at the reserve on Morosini Farm Court.
The event is open to the public, but Tichy said they are asking those interested in attending to register for the event because parking is limited at the site.
Those interested in attending the event are asked to register at www.westmorelandconservancy.org/event-registration.
Joe Napsha is a TribLive reporter covering Irwin, North Huntingdon and the Norwin School District. He also writes about business issues. He grew up on Neville Island and has worked at the Trib since the early 1980s. He can be reached at jnapsha@triblive.com.
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