After more than five years of advocacy and fundraising, the Moon Township-based Hollow Oak Land Trust has acquired four parcels of undeveloped greenspace known as Vinegar Hollow in Kilbuck Township (Allegheny County). The public has access to 2-plus miles of trails through a trailhead on Center Avenue in Ben Avon. Hollow Oak will be working with community members and volunteers to improve and add more trails to the greenspace.
Comprising more than 46 acres mostly in Kilbuck Township, the property was purchased with a grant of $329,000 from the Allegheny County Trail Development Fund and $200,000 from the Colcom Foundation. This new conservation area will benefit the surrounding communities of Kilbuck, Emsworth, Ben Avon, Ohio Township, Ben Avon Heights, Avalon, and Bellevue.
“We’re grateful that, with community leadership and support, we’ve been able to protect this unique community asset,” said Sean Brady, Hollow Oak Land Trust executive director. “The funding from the Allegheny County Trail Development Fund and the Colcom Foundation were crucial to the success of this project, and we’re excited to begin refining this greenspace.”
The Stewardship Fund is accepting donations to boost improvements and management of Vinegar Hollow by Hollow Oak Land Trust; for more information, please visit https://bit.ly/HOLTDonations.
The acquisition of Vinegar Hollow is the latest conservation accomplishment by Hollow Oak Land Trust, which has protected 160 acres of woodlands in the last year. The Thorn Hollow Greenway will connect Coraopolis to Robin Hill Park; Montour Run Greenway connects the Montour Trail through Montour Woods to Moon Park; and Trout Run will complete a 10-mile loop to Moon Park. The final link awaits a trail agreement with Allegheny County Airport Authority in Moon Township.
“We are thrilled to see this land protected and preserved as a green space for the area,” said Zahava Bennett, president of the Hollow Oak board of directors. “Healthy greenspaces are vital to a thriving community, and we are looking forward to this opportunity to nurture the natural ecosystem while providing a usable outdoor space for residents.”
