Lack of trail access yields resident upset

Ross officials acknowledge that residents are upset that a trailhead at the Short Line Hollow Park has been closed and trees have been cut down in the park.

Dan DeMarco, commission president, addressed the concerns Monday, saying the existing network of trails in the park has not been “permanently affected” by the dumping of dirt excavated from last year’s landslide on Reis Run Road.

More fill dirt is expected from the construction of BJ’s Warehouse at The Block Northway, he said.

The tree removal is part of the solution for slope stabilization in the park, he added.

“While we know it is disappointing that the trails are currently inaccessible, please know that we are working on a permanent solution,” he said. “Please understand that these changes take time.”

The township also will work to develop alternate trailheads, he added.

“One of our major issues with this is if this is something that was determined a year ago, the first we heard about it was last week when the trees started to fall,” said Joe Brandt,

president of Walk/ Bike Ross, who helped establish the Short Line Hollow Park. “I hope that the township will be much more open with the community about the park and the issues that are going on with the Cemetery Lane trailhead and slope stabilization project.”

In other business:

• Township Manager Ron Borczyk said Allegheny County has not yet returned the contract that will allow for COVID-19 vaccination clinics in the municipal center gym. He asked residents who have questions about the vaccination program to call the county information line at 211, not the township. Mr. Borczyk also said the township will get a summer internship through the Local Government Academy. The intern will work on upgrades to the meeting room so that meetings can be livestreamed. Cost of the intern will be split between the township and the Local Government Academy.

• Laurie Berie, program assistant for the parks and recreation department, said the township is hoping to host

Easter egg hunts on March 28 and summer camp from June 13 to July 22. The egg hunts will be held in three sessions with small groups of kids. The summer camp will be held with groups of eight to 10 kids. All other COVID-19 precautions will be in place.