IN Ross Township Fall 2017 | Page 58

oss Township

ROSS TOWNSHIP NEWS

Ross Township Sustainability News and Programs

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