Fox Chapel secures grant for Salamander Park habitat signs

Fox Chapel has secured a state grant to install educational signage in Salamander Park. The funding will help visitors understand the local ecosystem.

The borough will use a $1,000 award from the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources for the project. This grant is part of the Bird Town PA initiative, a municipal conservation program.

Salamander Park spans nearly 21 acres off Fox Chapel Road. The site includes a rare vernal pool and the Sycamore Run watershed. It serves as a habitat for spotted salamanders and wood frogs.

Borough Manager Julie Bastianini stated that the community is grateful for the funding. She noted that residents are excited about the chance to learn more about the area's ecological value.

Volunteers from the Fox Chapel Park Commission began removing invasive privet and other woody species nearly three years ago. They cleared the brush to make space for native trees. Fox Chapel Area School District AP Environmental Science students joined the effort.

This work earned the borough the 2024 Governor’s Award for Environmental Excellence. Melinda Guinn, a commission member, led the initiative in collaboration with the Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania.

Guinn reported that the restoration has boosted biodiversity. She said the strengthening of stream buffers, forests, and meadows has attracted a growing number of pollinators and birds.

The borough joined the Bird Town program in 2024 after council approval. Within months, it earned the program’s gold standard for education. This is the top level of a four-tier certification.

The certification helps municipalities secure funding for environmental projects. Fox Chapel’s report lists tree planting, invasive removal, and community cleanups as key actions.

Jeff Cohen, Park Commission Chair, described the park as a distinctive ecological asset. He explained that the site was originally saved by a local teacher who recognized the rarity of the clean stream and vernal pool.

The park functions as an outdoor classroom for students. It also serves as a scenic stop along the borough’s annual family fun run.

The site is closed at night during spring breeding season. Staff monitor the area heavily to protect the animals from pets and other disruptions.