Pittsburgh, Pa. – December 3, 2024 – Officials from the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy, Hilltop Economic Development Corporation, Mount Oliver Borough and Pennsylvania American Water recently transformed a vacant lot into a new Conservancy-owned community flower garden.

Members of the community-based Hilltop Economic Development Corporation contacted The Conservancy last year asking for assistance to help plan, design and install a new community flower garden at a vacant hillside lot.

The Borough acquired the lot through the Allegheny County Vacant Property Recovery Program, explains Mt. Oliver Borough Manager Rick Hopkinson. “We’ve helped many residents fill out applications for the program to acquire vacant property for sideyards, off-street parking, gardens and more,” he says. “The Borough decided to acquire this lot because of its high visibility and proximity to the business district.”

With smiles on faces and shovels in hands, nearly 15 volunteers from the Hilltop Economic Development Corporation, alongside representatives from Pennsylvania American Water and the Conservancy, planted this new garden located at the intersection of Stamm Avenue and Walnut Street in Mount Oliver.

This new garden transforms a vacant lot into a usable outdoor community space that will include native perennial beds and other outdoors features in the future. Coreopsis, rudbeckia, aster, yarrow and sedum were some of the pollinator-friendly perennials planted today in the garden. Colorful annual flowers such as geraniums, zinnias and petunias will be planted in the spring to complement the perennials.

“The Conservancy is pleased to work with community members in Mt. Oliver to install this community garden and grateful for Pennsylvania  American Water’s support to sponsor it,” says Art DeMeo, the Conservancy’s senior director of community greenspace projects. “Through their generosity, we will be able to keep this greenspace blooming for years to come.”

Pennsylvania American Water’s sponsorship the Mount Oliver garden not only provides water access, but makes it possible for the Conservancy to purchase flowers, mulch and other supplies to help establish and sustain this new garden.

Pennsylvania American Water has supported  community gardens in our region for 24 years through financial sponsorship of the Conservancy’s gardens program. Their support is currently recognized at 13 Conservancy gardens, including locations in Allegheny, Butler and Fayette counties. The company also provides water access at 18 gardens across western Pennsylvania.

“Pennsylvania American Water is proud to support the creation of this beautiful community flower garden in Mount Oliver. This project exemplifies our commitment to enhancing the quality of life in the communities we serve,” says Pennsylvania American Water Director of Government and External Affairs Gary Lobaugh. “By transforming vacant lots into vibrant green spaces, we not only beautify our neighborhoods but also foster a sense of community and environmental stewardship. We are grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy, Hilltop Economic Development Corporation, and Mount Oliver Borough on this meaningful initiative. Together, we are making a lasting impact that will benefit residents for years to come.”

The Conservancy helps enrich and beautify the region’s cities and towns through 130 community gardens in 20 counties and other green spaces that are planted annually with the help of thousands of volunteers. For more information about the Conservancy’s community gardens and other greening efforts, visit WaterLandLife.org/community-greening.

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About the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy:
The Western Pennsylvania Conservancy (WPC) enhances the region by protecting and restoring exceptional places. A private nonprofit conservation organization founded in 1932, WPC has helped establish 11 state parks, conserved more than 290,000 acres of natural lands, protected or restored more than 3,000 miles of rivers and streams, and assessed thousands of wildlife species and their habitats. The Conservancy owns and operates Frank Lloyd Wright’s Fallingwater, which is on the UNESCO World Heritage List and symbolizes people living in harmony with nature. In addition, WPC enriches our region’s cities and towns through 130 community gardens and other green spaces and thousands of trees that are planted with the help of more than 7,000 volunteers. The work of the Conservancy is accomplished through the support of more than 10,000 members. For more information, visit WaterLandLife.org or Fallingwater.org.

Media Contact:

Carmen Bray
Senior Director of Communications
412-586-2358 – work
412-608-3617 – cell
cbray@paconserve.org