There’s a lot going on in Schenley Park near the corner of Bartlett Street and Greenfield Road.  Last weekend I noticed two subtractions to make way for additions.

Making a Meadow:

If you’re familiar with the grassy hill that sweeps down from Beacon to Bartlett you’ll notice that it changed recently.  There are green grass paths, ropes to guide you along the paths, and brown grass everywhere else.  The dead grass will be “subtracted” to make a meadow!

Here’s a map of the meadow from a presentation by Erin Copeland of the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy in May 2013.  Click here or on the map for the complete watershed restoration plan.

The daisies above are blooming now in the tiny meadow at the Bartlett Shelter, top left of the map.  Next spring they’ll have neighbors.

Eradicating Oak Wilt:

Across the street from the meadow, oak wilt eradication at Prospect Circle is nearing its end.  Not only are most of the trees gone but the ground is bare.  The work is so thorough that you can see the bare spot from Greenfield Road through the remaining fringe of trees (if you look for it).

To tree-lovers this seems sad but wildlife filled the niche immediately.  Red-tailed hawks love open-space perches and, true to form, I found a large, pale, red-tailed hawk perched on one of the remaining trees.  The smaller birds complained about her as she watched me take her picture.

Though many trees were subtracted, the Parks Conservancy has already begun reforestation by adding 30 trees nearby.

Watch for more additions in the months ahead.

Visit the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy’s website for plans and information.

(photos by Kate St. John)