Celebrating Pittsburgh's Hillsides
Along with our three rivers, Pittsburgh's hillsides are part of our signature, adding value to the quality of our lives here. Our wooded hillsides provide ecological value as nesting and roosting habitat for many birds. The wooded slopes along our rivers and their tributaries provide corridors for migrating birds and other wildlife during spring and fall migrations.
While our hillsides have been extensively impacted and invaded by exotic vegetation like tree-of-heaven, exotic honeysuckles, multiflora rose and Japanese knotweed, this vegetation holds soil in place. Stabilizing soil on steep slopes and hillsides prevents erosion that can impact water quality or do damage to property, roadways and other infrastructure.
Our green hillsides provide thermal regulation by absorbing heat and filtering pollution. The presence of trees, shrubs and other vegetation in urban areas can lower the heat island effect that builds during summer months, exacerbated by heat-trapping materials like asphalt and concrete. The greenery that covers our hillsides shades the rocky outcroppings and shales that can also trap heat.
Pittsburgh's hillsides even hold secrets of our geological and archeological past. And, many Pittsburghers find solitude and recreation in these places while others make their homes there.
Councilman
Bill Peduto has appointed a Steering Committee for the City of Pittsburgh's
Hillside Open Space Study. Western Pennsylvania Conservancy is working
with this group.
We hope you will attend a public workshop on Wednesday, May 28, 2003 at 7 p.m. Please join us to share your thoughts about these special places. Bring photos of your favorite Pittsburgh hillsides, and stories about their issues and their opportunities. Tell us what they mean to you and your neighborhood. The workshop is conducted by the Department of City Planning. It will be held at 200 Ross Street, First Floor Conference Room.
For more information contact Dan Sentz, Department of City Planning, at (412) 255-2233 or dan.sentz@city.pittsburgh.pa.us
Pictured
today is Pittsburgh's hills as seen from Schenley Park, which is the third
largest public park on the eastern seaboard, after Central Park and Fairmount
Park.
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