Facilities

Acorn Park is a 25 acre park located off of McGee Road, most of this park is a natural area having been untouched for over 100 years.  The park is currently closed for improvements that are outlined below.

Work continues to progress on the major upgrades being made to Acorn Park. As stated in previous articles in the Borough Newsletter, this project is being funded in part by a $662,328 grant from the PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) and a $215,000 grant from the Gaming and Economic Development Tourism Fund administered by the Redevelopment Authority of Allegheny County. The entire project is expected to cost approximately $1.7 million. Independent Enterprises, Inc., the lowest responsible bidder, has been awarded the contract for a majority of the work being done. 

•  Mountain bike pump track with bike wash
• Outdoor classroom gazebo with bench seating
• New playground equipment with a nature theme
• New entryway with increased parking and permeable pavers utilized for parking spaces
• Rain garden to capture and control runoff from the parking lot and pump track
• Public restrooms
• An ADA accessible trail connecting the parking lot to the outdoor classroom
• Formalized walking and biking trails running throughout the property, with 2 bridge crossings over Little Sewickley Creek and observation decks and benches at various points along the trails
• Electricity and wi-fi access

Once installation of the infrastructure has been completed, the plans call for Borough employees to plant 17 trees and 42 shrubs in the area that has been disturbed, and 22 trees, 227 shrubs and 361 perennials in 2 locations along Little Sewickley Creek to improve the riparian buffer and protect the health of the stream. The tree/plant selection was recommended by a Landscape Architect and reviewed by the Borough Environmental Advisory Council (EAC), DCNR, and DEP. In addition, Borough Council has pledged to plant 3 trees for every 1 removed. The EAC will recommend the trees to be planted, with the focus on utilizing a variety of trees native to Western Pennsylvania, some of which do not currently exist in the park. Introducing more diversity helps to provide pest and disease resistance for the canopy and offers additional food and habitat opportunities for wildlife.