In the article “Hempfield welcomes new park with weekend Founders Festival” (May 15, TribLive), your reporter refers to the site of Founders Park as previously being vacant. No. It was a living, breathing oasis in a congested area.
Once a strip mine, nature it had been revitalized by nature. It was 43 acres of trees and brush and wildflowers that provided a buffer from the noise and exhaust fumes of Route 30. That vegetation helped cool and cleanse the air and water for residents.
It was a wildlife haven — deer, fox, chipmunks and more. It was a bird sanctuary.
Today, concrete, plastic, gravel — none of which contribute to the well-being — rule.
When residents of Greensburg were invited to a meeting with Hempfield over a year ago, we were assured that Hempfield had engaged an arborist so that tree removal would be as minimal as possible and strategic. That they would maintain a tree buffer to provide privacy and lessen noise and pollution for area residents. But Hempfield yanked out thousands of trees.
Still no green buffer. What happened to the arborist?
Why was it so important to strip this land? Hempfield residents tell me no one asked them. I’ve pored through Westmoreland County’s strategic plan and Hempfield’s. No trace of public input or even cross-municipality planning in reference to this project. Lots of talk about the importance of the environment.
Just saying, I now have a bird’s-eye view of the park — and Route 30. It’s 6 p.m. and there is just a scattering of people there. More than usual, for sure, but hardly a crowd.
Sandy Finley
Greensburg