NORTH PARK’S OLD BARN GET SOME NEW LIFE
Nestled into the northwest corner of North Park — just past the skating rink — Latodami Environmental Nature Center provides educational opportunities within one of Allegheny County’s best-kept secrets.
A series of nature trails wind through the property’s 250 acres of field, forest, pond, wetland and stream habitats. But Latodami’s crown jewel is its 104-yearold barn.
Latodami Barn has been a hub of activity in the North Hills. This year, the barn received some necessary repairs and updates as it continues to delight and educate North Hills residents today ... and well into the future.
Built in 1914 and named for the Horning family’s four children; Orlando (Landy), Antoinette (Toni), Davia, and Michelle, La tod ami Farm was developed by “gentleman farmer” J.D. Brown. According to interpretive naturalist Meg Scanlon, Mr. Brown was a prominent Pittsburgh lawyer who hired other people to run the farm for him. His family used it as a retreat.
Today, the barn operates as a classroom.
Purchased by Allegheny County in 1969 to be used as a nature center, the property flourished under the direction of former North Park naturalist Joe Grom. Ms. Scanlon began working in the 1970s alongside Mr. Grom as a volunteer at the age of 14. Now she runs the place.
“We provide quality programming to schools, Scouts, public and private groups year-round, on or off-site, said Ms. Scanlon, who pointed out on-site programs are offered in North Park, Deer Lakes and Hart wood Acres.
The barn consists of a large open-air auditorium where groups can see local plant and animal displays and a small, heated classroom for cold weather activities.
“The county has done some significant repairs over the course of history,” said Ms. Scanlon. Walls were fashioned from sliding doors that once made it easy for large farm equipment to move in and out.
The most recent repairs include new lighting, which Ms. Scanlon called “life-changing” since they enable her to conduct lessons later in the day during the winter.
Andy Bae ch le, county parks director, said the barn’s slate roof had to be repaired in the fall. “Slate roofs are expensive,” he said. The work cost morethan$25,000.
The leaky roof caused some damage to the barn’s oak floor, which Mr. Baechle said would bethe next project.
“The county has carpenters in-house with our trader trying to figure out what to do about it,” he said, “We want the barn to provide many more years of natural education in the future.”
Latodami Farm once was renowned locally for producing high-quality dairy products, turkey, pork, chicken products, honey and other freshproduce.
Now the farm produces knowledgeable youngsters and provides Scouts with project opportunities. It also offers a range of free activities, and even serves as a canvas for local artists.
“We homeschool our two children and have been using the nature center program to supplement lessons for the past 11 years,” said Ann Hershey of McCandless. “We’ve participated in Ms. Scanlon’s maple syrup demonstrations and my kids help with other programs.”
Ms. Hershey said the nature center is an ideal learning environment .“Meg is wonderful with children, and she understands that they need to run around.
“She also educates the adults and older children, and she’ll answer any question you ask.She’s able to instill a love of nature in all different levels .”
Latodami’s grounds are open from dawn to dark all yearlong.