Presenter
Presented by Mr. Lavelle
Title
Resolution providing for the designation of certain public properties within the Hill District and Polish Hill neighborhoods to become permanent, public, passive open space under the Greenways for Pittsburgh program, to be known as the Bigelow Greenway.
Body
Be it resolved by the Council of the City of Pittsburgh as follows:
Section 1. WHEREAS, hillside areas of the City are often very steep and landslide prone, these areas often become unstable when disturbed for development, and, providing and maintaining public infrastructure as well as city services to development in these areas is often inordinately difficult and expensive, and
WHEREAS, these areas can provide significant benefits to the proximate neighborhoods and the City as a whole if left undisturbed; such benefits include but are not limited to passive recreation opportunities, storm water management, erosion and sedimentation control, enhanced aesthetics, air quality improvements, a positive identifying neighborhood feature, and stabilizing or increasing property values, and
WHEREAS, The City of Pittsburgh is prepared to pursue consolidation and dedication of certain properties in the Hill District and Polish Hill neighborhoods in order to create a permanent public passive open space (Greenway), and
WHEREAS, The City of Pittsburgh will assist the neighborhood in cleanup of significant debris (dump sites or bulk items), the prevention of additional dumping, and the hauling away of debris collected from the greenway by the neighborhood,
THEREFORE, the Hill District Consensus Group and Polish Hill Civic Association hereby petition the City to dedicate the Bigelow Greenway as mapped and listed on the attachments and resolve to assist the City in the promotion and development of a stewardship group to monitor this greenway by:
1. Providing routine cleanup and maintenance of the Greenway through neighborhood volunteers
2. Soliciting adjacent properties or easements that will protect and grow the greenway
3. Consulting with the City's Parks and Recreation Department before undertaking any action in the greenway beyond routine maintenance or cleanup
4. Addressing the control of invasive plant species and promote appropriate supplemental plantings
5. Providing and maintaining appropriate trails, overlooks or other features desired by the neighborhood that the Parks and Recreation Department has approved to assure access and promote the enjoyment of the greenway by the neighborhood.