Phipps Run in Panther Hollow

Phipps Run is a woodland and wetland area in Schenley Park which is currently undergoing a restoration project. Its restoration is the cornerstone in renewing the ecological health of the area. The project includes removing invasive species, restoring native plant and animal life, and cleaning up pollution.
Phipps Run begins at the top of Panther Hollow near CMU. The address I gave you is approximate. It’s a good alternate entrance to Schenley Park if you’re biking or hiking. The run leads down to Panther Hollow Lake. Years of erosion and storm water runoff have caused extensive damage to the trail system down here. The erosion was so severe that the stream actually rerouted itself, taking out a footpath and an historic bridge. The flooding made access to Panther Hollow Lake extremely difficult and unpleasant.
The Pittsburgh Parks Conservacy and the City’s DPW have begun a restoration in the Phipps Run area. The project included redirecting the stream’s upper part to its original run. A storm water control project included building basins to control water runoff. A streamside trail was rebuilt, providing better access.
An ongoing project in the lower part of Phipps Run includes rerouting the stream channel to its original path. The conservacy is also planting native plants along the stream and on the surrounding hillsides. The goal is to increase the stability and sustainability of the area.
My girlfriends and I love hiking through Schenley Park. We’ve been watching the progress made throughout the years. Once the Phipps Run and Panther Hollow Lake projects are completed, this will be a five star area.