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Steward
Contact:
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Directions:
Located on Crowfoot road near Sloan Elementary School
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GPS:
N 40° 27.212
W 079° 39.454
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Aerial Map:
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Drawn Map:
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Topo Map:
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Property
Description
The
King Reserve is the largest of the conservancy holdings. The 96
acres is shaped like a crooked dagger between Crowfoot and
Mamont Road. The tip of the dagger extends across Crowfoot Road
and adjoins the Sloan Elementary School property. Because of its
size, this is the most diversified of the nature reserves with
the greatest variety of plants. It features a small intermittent
stream named Sylvan Run and a short section of a tributary of
Haymaker Run. Meadows, shrub thickets, and both secondary
succession and mature forest make up the remainder of the
habitats. Access is currently gained from a small parking lot on
the south side of Crowfoot Road, which is close to the entrance
trail on the opposing berm marked by a sign. Some caution is
recommended because of a rifle firing range on the rod & gun
club property. Stay on the upper or most northern trails. Posted
signs will keep you informed of the danger. Be sure to heed
these warnings, particularly when you are hearing rifle fire,
which may occur any time or day of the week. The 3 acre parcel
known as Potter's Corner is adjacent to the King Reserve.
Property History
Another of the parcels
of land refered to us by the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy
was a 95-acre parcel that had been in the King Family since
1879. It is adjacent to the Crowfoot Rod and Gun Club that when
taken together comprise 220 acres of open space in the center of
Murrysville. All around it are residential areas. Mrs. Marjorie
King Saco, who lives in Maryland, had rejected earlier offers to
buy her property, fearful that it would be developed. She agreed
to sell it to the Westmoreland Conservancy on a bargain sale
basis at less than fair market value for $150,000. We raised
$40,000 from individual contributors and obtained a Pennsylvania
DCNR grant for $84,000 to help defray the cost of the purchase.
The municipality contributed by building a small parking lot.
Also, cash was donated by the Crowfoot Rod and Gun Club.
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