Year: 2015

Dana transformed a former reservoir site into a flourishing community space. The space utilizes recycled materials for seating and art pieces. She envisions her friends and neighbors using the space to have a picnic, walk their dogs or stroll alongside the flowers and trees. The space is even home to a shed that holds tools and materials for other ReClaim McKeesport Ambassadors!   grounded strategies Pittsburgh

Sharon Soles was inspired to make the Palisades Butterfly Garden for several reasons. Her parents met at the Palisades during McKeesport’s glory days, it also has a rich history and is located in the heart of McKeesport. With her project, she aspires to share her personal connection with the site as well as the historical significance with current residents and new comers. Sharon created a space that local organizations can use as an outside meeting and event space. She is excited to reclaim the city that…

Walt Yager worked to transform a space that was once a bustling railroad crossing into a spontaneous gathering space for the community. He also restored the roof of the railroad tower as well as incorporated landscaping and historical signage to the space. Connecting the Dots: A Railroad Crossing Runs Through It incorporates historical context to Walt's site so that the youth in the community may experience the same growth and development that he gained from the city.   grounded strategies pittsburgh

Rochelle is from the Pittsburgh neighborhood of Homewood, but has called McKeesport home for the last 20 years. She cares deeply about her community and the people in it and aspires to make her community a better place. Rochelle transitioned a vacant, overgrown lot at the entrance of the Myer Park neighborhood into a low-maintenance, embellished oasis. The space complements and enhances the beauty of Myer Park.

The vacant lot that Rhonda Moorer reclaimed sits behind to her church, Bethlehem Baptist, where her mother, the Rev. Earlene Coleman, is pastor. She is still working to transition it into a youth-centric community space. Her site will boast checkerboards, picnic tables and a gazebo on a lot where the Hitzrot House once stood, a mansion that later became the Eagles Lodge.

Dr. Alandra Kahl is a professor at Penn State Greater Allegheny. She and fellow PSUGA Professor, April, have teamed up to turn a vacant piece of land at the entrance to campus into a more welcoming community and outdoor learning space. Their project – EN-GAGE – Greater Allegheny Garden Experience– hopes to create a relaxing space that blends campus life into the community of McKeesport. The space will also serve as an outdoor lecture area and a place to facilitate…

Julie Fleckenstein is a youth program assistant in the city of McKeesport and has lived there all her life, except for the 9 years where she lived outside of Philadelphia. Because the GAP trail is a big tourist attraction for McKeesport, she is focusing on a vacant lot right alongside the popular biking and hiking path. She is hoping that it will be a great place for people to take a relaxing rest from the trails. The site will include…