oss Township
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Community Profile: Ross Township Investing in Sustainability
Located about six miles north of the City of Pittsburgh, Ross Township is a large, sprawling suburban community with over 31,000 residents in 14.4 square miles. The township has a significant residential area, and is well known for its retail business corridor on McKnight Road. The Township has also made significant efforts and received recent recognition for its sustainability and community development initiatives.
As a post-WWII suburb, the success of business development in the township also brought the challenge of urban planning. Roads were primarily designed to be automobile-centric, leaving
56 Ross Township fewer options for other modes of transportation. According to Parks and Recreation Director Eloise Peet,“ the people of Ross have expressed an interest in multimodal transportation, but it is practically nonexistent right now.”
The challenges of the sprawling suburb have been met with opportunities for deliberate planning with the community. Within the last two years, the township completed a Comprehensive Plan that incorporated research and significant community outreach and resident input. The plan integrates sustainability practices, including the preservation of natural resources, green spaces, walkability, transportation, and public health. Civic engagement from groups such as Walk / Bike Ross have also had a positive impact on community plans.
Integrating storm water management and community education has been an important element of the park planning process. One example of storm water management is embedded in the proposed Master Site Plan for Sangree Park. The park, which is just over nine acres, is the recipient of over a dozen storm water outlets, which have been part of a study conducted with grant assistance from the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. A significant part of the proposed Master Site Plan has been incorporated to address streambed restoration and storm water mitigation measures to reduce outflow to Little Pine Creek, which is part of the Pine Creek Watershed.
Peet notes,“ The results of the study and associated public input process support sustainability in multiple ways. Ross residents responded very positively to the preservation aspect of the plan, which includes stream water education and, ultimately, storm water management. Trail elements are also being incorporated, so that we promote pedestrian traffic from neighboring communities. There is heightened awareness of the many health benefits of being outdoors as well as the benefits of consistent low-impact exercise. Walking trails through our parks are the ideal way to simultaneously promote these activities.”
Ross’ efforts have not gone unnoticed. Ross became one of the first Live Well Allegheny communities when it passed a resolution in August 2014 committing to the development of accessible trails, walking maps, and multimodal transportation, to name a