Letter to the editor: A true nature park would be better in Hempfield

The 43 acres Hempfield Township purchased from Excela Health three years ago has been providing profound benefits for the region for decades. The woodlands and meadow greatly enhance the air and water quality in nearby neighborhoods, as well as the greater surrounding area. They help mitigate the noxious emissions from traffic on Route 30 and dense buildings. They absorb stormwater, helping to prevent flooding during heavy rains.

The woodlands and meadow provide much-needed green space in a heavily urbanized area.

From the news articles, it’s difficult to determine how much will be left of this significant green space that contributes so much to quality of life (“Hempfield breaks ground on Weatherwood Park, municipal complex projects,” Aug. 5, TribLive). We read that 14 acres will be developed as a park. It seems the park will be hardscaped, eliminating it as a filter for cleaner air and water, a wildlife home and tranquil green space for people

New insight and research into the benefits of both children and adults experiencing nature suggests a true nature park with very limited hardscape might well be a better choice for those 14 acres. A certain amount of infrastructure would be needed, but the vast majority of the 14 acres could provide exceptional experiences in nature for the public and also continue to provide much to the quality of water, air and life in the communities adjacent.

In addition, such a park might well be more fiscally responsible.

Sandra Finley

Greensburg