Pittsburgh, Pa. – December 3, 2024 – The Western Pennsylvania Conservancy, along with its partners, the Armstrong County Board of Commissioners, Kittanning Borough, the Downtown Kittanning Revitalization Committee (DKRC) and Armstrong Trails, recently designed and implemented two rain gardens along the Armstrong Trail in Kittanning, Pa. The gardens were made possible thanks to an award of $25,000 from American Water Charitable Foundation. Kittanning is in the service area of Pennsylvania American Water, a subsidiary of American Water.

Conservancy staff and contractors installed the rain gardens during the fall of 2024.  About a dozen community volunteers, including members of the Armstrong County Jail work release program, gathered at the gardens in early November to plant 367 native perennials such as black-eyed Susan, milkweed, coneflower, iris and more.

The Armstrong Trail runs through downtown Kittanning. Approximately 120,000 people walk, run, bike or otherwise recreate on the trail annually.

One garden is located on Kittanning’s south side at an area of that trail that experiences stormwater runoff. The greening enhancements will help to absorb or redirect water that historically has contributed to clogged storm drains and has rushed onto the trail, contributing to erosion and excess water ponding along the trail.

The second garden, located next to the YMCA at the trail’s north entrance and parking lot, features native, pollinator-friendly perennials that will support bees, butterflies and other pollinating insects as well as providing habitat for small wildlife.

In addition to adding two beautiful greenspaces to downtown Kittanning, mitigating stormwater runoff and providing food for pollinators, the gardens provide opportunities for ongoing community engagement. Community members volunteered in the inaugural planting of the rain gardens and will maintain them throughout the year with assistance from Conservancy staff. Communities with greenspace and green infrastructure such as rain gardens often see increased business in shopping districts and higher residential property values.

The Conservancy began its urban greening work in the Kittanning area in 2017 with the installation of hanging flower baskets along Market Street. Since then, WPC has continued to hang the seasonal baskets on Market Street annually, beautifying the streetscape and providing a colorful corridor leading to the courthouse.

“We are very excited about this project. For several years we have been collaborating with WPC on various ideas to bring more green space to Downtown Kittanning,” said Andy Bradigan, chair of the DKRC. “The rain gardens help address stormwater issues and showcase how to incorporate sustainable projects and practices into the community. We are thankful for American Water and WPC for their efforts in making this project possible.”

In addition to community volunteer engagement, the rain gardens will also provide environmental educational opportunities for local residents and visitors to learn about pollinators, the effects of stormwater on water systems, green infrastructure, how native plants and trees help with stormwater capture and more. Signage at the sites will identify those benefits to 4,000 Kittanning residents, 120,000 people who use the Armstrong Trail annually and the thousands of people who visit, drive past or walk by the YMCA each year.

“These rain garden systems will be not only functional but educational and beautiful, and we are thrilled to provide this wonderful opportunity in Kittanning,” said Tom Saunders, president of the Conservancy. “We’re excited to partner with the Armstrong County Board of Commissioners, Kittanning Borough, the Downtown Kittanning Revitalization Committee and Armstrong Trails to advance the urban greening efforts that began in 2017.”

For more information about volunteering in these or any of the Conservancy’s 130 community gardens, please email info@paconserve.org or visit WaterLandLife.org/events.

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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:
Jennifer Sumoske
Communications Specialist
412-586-2328, work
jsumoske@paconserve.org