D
ear Residents:
Quality of life factors like recreational
opportunities are vital to community health
both in terms of actual physical well-being
and developing/maintaining community
sustainability. Increased recreational opportunities help to
create better intra-community relations, promote healthier
lifestyles and create a more attractive community for current
and future residents.
A few years ago, the Boro conducted two community-
wide surveys as part of our Compressive Plan Update.
Residents overwhelmingly identified “increased recreational
opportunities” as something that they wanted the Boro
to improve upon. They were very clear that they meant
opportunities beyond the already well-established youth
sports organizations.
Now that winter is finally over and you begin to think about
outdoor activities like sports, festivals and vacation, the Boro
is gearing up for the season as well. We wanted to make sure
that you are all aware of the great outdoor activities available
to Boro residents-most of which are free.
Over the past few years, Plum Boro Parks and Recreation
has grown significantly. We have greatly improved and
expanded our facilities and we have added many new
events or expanded existing ones. Our goal is to improve our
current recreational facilities, add new facilities and expand
recreational programs and events. We are currently working
on master site plans for Plum Creek Park, Renton and Logans
Ferry to include new playground equipment, expanded
sports fields and courts and even designated fishing areas at
Plum Creek Park. We have also made major improvements to
Larry Mills Park to improve playing surfaces, expand storage
facilities and generally improve the look of the park.
Boro Parks
Larry Mills - (Fontana Drive in Holiday Park) soccer fields;
ADA accessible playground; rental pavilion
Plum Creek - (New Texas & Ross Hollow Roads) baseball,
softball, football and lacrosse fields; playground, rental
pavilions & fishing.
Logans Ferry - (Memorial Drive & Plum Avenue in Logans
Ferry) New renovated park in 2020
Renton - (Renton Avenue & Walnut Street in Renton) New
renovated park in 2020
Last year we launched BoroHaps to grow and promote our
community events. BoroHaps is our tag for all Boro sporting,
festival and social “happenings” in the Boro. It’s where you can
find information on all of the Boro events and recreational
programs for all ages. Detailed information on the Annual
Kids Trout Fishing, SummerFest, Movies in the Park, FallFest,
Halloween and Christmas at Plum Creek events and other
recreational programs can be found on the BoroHaps page on
the Boro website. For up-to-date notifications on these events
and more, don’t forget to sign up for the Savvy Citizen App.
24
PLUM
Events & Programs
Trout Fishing for Kids - Plum Creek Park, Boro stocks Plum
Creek with 1,000 trout for the 1st Day of Trout Season, free
fishing for kids under 16
Movies in the Park - Larry Mills Park, free outdoor movies
and popcorn, the second Saturday in June, July & August
SummerFest - Larry Mills Park, food vendors, amusements
rides & entertainment, weekend prior to 4th of July
FallFest - Plum Creek Park, Octoberfest style foods and
beer, kids games & entertainment, last Saturday of September
Halloween Party - Plum Community Center, free Halloween
movie and candy, last Saturday of October
Christmas at Plum Creek - Plum Creek Park, Santa,
reindeer, food vendors, kid’s games & sleigh rides, Thursday
after Thanksgiving
Soccer Camp - Larry Mills Park, Soccer Quick Skills Camp for
ages 4-14
Adult Bocce League - Larry Mills Park, coming this Fall
In addition to the many recreational opportunities and
more than 100 acres of Boro park space, Plum also has a
great deal of recreational opportunities offered by Allegheny
County and the Allegheny Land Trust. Boyce Park is in the
southern half of Plum and has more than 900 acres within
the Boro for hiking, biking, jogging and numerous pavilion
areas for rent. It also offers areas for skiing, snowboarding and
tubing as well as archery and even a model airplane airport.
Through the Allegheny Land Trust, more than 300 acres are
available to the public at the Barking Slopes for hiking and
hunting in the northern section of the Boro along Route 909.
To make the most of these additional recreation
opportunities, the Boro has partnered with both the County
and the Land Trust to offer even more to the public. This
summer, we will have the grand opening of the new Dog Park
in Plum. This was accomplished through a partnership with
Allegheny County Parks and Recreation and with significant
assistance from the Plum residents who lobbied for the
creation of the park. The new Dog Park will be located on
New Texas Road adjacent to the basketball courts in Boyce
Park and is expected to open this August. The Boro has also
partnered with the Land Trust to expand hiking trails in the
Barking Slopes and to make them more accessible. Boro crews
helped to construct parking areas, trail head access areas and
even constructed stairways on the steeper elevations to create
walking trail connections from the lower portion along the
river. Currently, there are two miles of improved trails with
plans for future expansion.
With so much to do in the Boro, we are sure you will find the
right activities and enjoy all that Plum Boro has to offer.
Michael A. Thomas,
Borough Manager