Restoring an impaired valley ecosystem together
Fern Hollow in the Nine Mile Run watershed.
Since the Fern Hollow Bridge collapsed on February 21st, 2022 we have worked to protect Fern Hollow from the impacts of the bridge collapse and reconstruction. Today, with the bridge completed, we call on our community, our partners and our friends to join us in reimagining Fern Hollow, and helping us create a vision for its future.
In Fall of 2022, UpstreamPgh was awarded a grant from the Commonwealth Financing Authority to undertake a multi-year visioning process of the Fern Hollow Valley. Through this process we have engaged with park users, area residents, artists, partner organizations, technical experts, and officials from the City of Pittsburgh to create a list of key interventions to reinvigorate the enchanting ecosystem that lies within this space.
We recently completed the first phase of our Fern Hollow Vision Plan which involved 4 community visioning walks and 1 community meeting, 427 survey results to inform the plan, walks with local elected officials and partners, an experimental art project and steering committee meetings comprised of representatives from the following organizations; U.S. Army Corp of Engineers, Friends of the Riverfront, East Hills Consensus Group, The Pittsburgh Water Collaboratory, Operation Better Block, Squirrel Hill Urban Coalition, Shiftworks Community + Public Art, Point Breeze Organization, City of Pittsburgh Department of City Planning, City of Pittsburgh Department of Public Works, and Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy. To view the survey results and design selections click here.
When the Fern Hollow Bridge collapsed, it fell directly into Fern Hollow, into Frick Park and into the Nine Mile Run Watershed area we’ve spent over 20 years stewarding. At UpstreamPgh, we feel this is a chance to turn a tragedy into an opportunity.
Project Updates
Spring 2024
For over 2 years we have led efforts to envision the future of Fern Hollow Valley. With Neighborhood Allies Social Impact Design team we collected feedback from the community through 4 visioning walks and 1 community meeting in addition to 427 survey responses to the proposed plan. Over the winter we worked with Neighborhood Allies to synthesize the survey data and incorporate it into a final conceptual plan. This plan was informed by the community for the community and we couldn’t have done it without you!
While working with Neighborhood Allies on this plan we have been working with the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers to finalize a scope of work through their Planning Assistance to States program to study and model Fern Hollow Creek. We are excited to work with the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers again to extend the success of the Nine Mile Run Aquatic Ecosystem Restoration Project to the Fern Hollow Valley.
Once the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers has completed their planning efforts we will be engaging a consultant to develop construction plans for all proposed improvements included in the Fern Hollow Vision Plan and stream restoration plans. Stay tuned for more updates!
Treequencies
Throughout 2023, we collaborated with local artist Jason “The Real” McKoy to design creative ways to connect the public with the Fern Hollow restoration. This led to the temporary art installation, Treequencies, physical sculptures that engaged passersby in a multisensory experience. The sculptures were installed around Fern Hollow and surrounding neighborhoods, and directed people towards more information about this project. From McKoy: “Treequencies is about tuning into the spirit of Fern Hollow. Feel free to place your hands on this Plantenna and find the point of connection to the flora of Fern Hollow.” Learn more about the project here.
McKoy also designed Restore Fern Hollow t-shirts, available for purchase on our website. Shop Now.
Spring/Summer 2023
We have continued to work with the Fern Hollow Vision Plan Steering Committee to implement our Greenways, Trails, and Recreation Program Grant from the Commonwealth Financing Authority for vision planning in Fern Hollow.
Through the vision plan process, so far we have collected community feedback through visioning walks and an initial survey. The feedback that we gathered so far has informed our first draft Fern Hollow Vision Plan which you can view by clicking this link.
We will be collecting feedback in this survey up until our Fern Hollow Community Meeting on October 25th from 6 to 8 pm. We invite you to join us at this meeting to provide feedback and help shape the future of Fern Hollow together.
Winter 2023
We have been using the dreary months of winter to build a coalition of partners to implement our Greenways, Trails, and Recreation Program Grant from the Commonwealth Financing Authority for vision planning in Fern Hollow.
The vision plan process is kicking off in early 2023, and will culminate in late spring of 2024 with a plan for the future of Fern Hollow. By partnering with the City of Pittsburgh, nonprofit stakeholders, community members, artists, and more we hope to reimagine what Fern Hollow can be in the future.
These quiet months have been busy with meetings, internal planning sessions, and the pursuit of additional funding to support the work we are embarking on over the next 18 months. We hope you’ll stay tuned and offer your feedback as we move forward with the process.
2022 Recap
What a year. Most of us can remember clearly where we were on January 28th, 2022 when we heard that the Fern Hollow Bridge Collapsed. Our first thoughts were for the people on the bridge, injured during the collapse, hoping they were okay. Then we pondered the hassle of navigating Pittsburgh with one less bridge, on a main artery nonetheless, and how long it would take to restore the connection. Not long after, though, we started thinking about the stream and park below. How would the bridge be removed, how would the new one be rebuilt, how would it impact the stream, Frick Parks trails, the ecosystem?
We are one of the many voices that have advocated for Frick Park and Nine Mile Run, and knew that in the conversations about transportation and infrastructure, the park needed a voice too. Working with researchers, partner organizations, community members, our staff, and funders we used 2022 to ensure Fern Hollow was protected, but also to lay the groundwork for restoring Fern Hollow in the future.
See the data
Explore the UpstreamPgh Data Hub to find resources about Nine Mile Run water quality, the Fern Hollow Bridge Impact Reporter, printed reports and studies, and much more.
Support this work
There’s a lot to be done. From environmental impact assessments to monitoring, we can use all the help we can get. You can make a donation to #ProtectFernHollow.
We’re proud to partner with these organizations to #RestoreFernHollow
Join us: #RestoreFernHollow
Connect with us, and each other, to amplify the work.
#RestoreFernHollow: Share the recommendations
Let’s protect the continued health and wellbeing of the ecosystem in the Fern Hollow Valley and creek, the Nine Mile Run watershed, and Frick Park. Our Collective has produced a set of recommendations for the reconstruction of the Fern Hollow Bridge. Will you join us? Learn more and share on your social media channels below.
#ProtectFernHollow: Share the recommendations
Let’s protect the continued health and wellbeing of the ecosystem in the Fern Hollow Valley, its namesake creek, Nine Mile Run, and Frick Park. Our Collective has produced a set of recommendations for the reconstruction of the Fern Hollow Bridge. Will you join us? Learn more and share on your social media channels below.
LIVE STREAM: Fern Hollow
For up-to-date eyes on the progress
#ProtectFernHollow feed
Stay smart: Our work in the news
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Study to evaluate impact of Fern Hollow Bridge collapse on creek below
KDKA News | Jessica Guay June 13, 2024 / 11:02 PM EDT / CBS Pittsburgh PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — The collapse and reconstruction of Pittsburgh’s Fern Hollow Bridge harmed what’s below it: the ravine and creek in Frick Park. Now, a major study will evaluate the impacts......
18 June, 2024 -
New study will determine health of, and improvements needed at Fern Hollow Creek
WTAE – June 12, 2024 (updated) Tom Garris, Anchor/Reporter PITTSBURGH — A new collaboration between the nonprofit Upstream Pittsburgh and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is aiming to study the rehabilitation of the Fern Hollow Creek. Two and a half years ago, the bridge along......
18 June, 2024 -
With new Fern Hollow Bridge in place, environmentalists are set to evaluate the creek below
90.5 WESA | By Kiley Koscinski Published June 12, 2024 at 5:19 PM EDT It’s been nearly a year since the final touches were completed to replace Pittsburgh’s Fern Hollow Bridge. But according to environmentalists and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, there’s still plenty of work to be......
18 June, 2024
