Boyce-Mayview - Plan Status

Boyce-Mayview Park

Boyce-Mayview Master Plan Information

In November 1998, the Parks and Recreation Board and the Study Group reviewed proposals for master planning received from four consultants. Out of the four, two consultants were selected for interviews. The Parks and Recreation Board chose and recommended to the Board of Commissions one consultant. The Board approved the recommendation to hire the firm of Wallace, Roberts, and Todd (WRT). WRT has met with several organizations including CLS. A series of five public meetings has begun.

More than 200 residents attended the first meeting, which was held on March 9, 1999. WRT presented an overview of their inventory of the property as it is now. Currently, the site is primarily wildlife habitat. The consultant noted that the current habitats “represent a biodiversity on the site that is unparalleled in this region”. The 340 foot grade difference between the high and low points means that “Boyce-Mayview has virtually every habitat that’s in this region represented in this park”. After this presentation, the citizens divided into 11 groups to discuss possible uses for park lands. These discussions were summarized to the entire audience.

The second meeting was held on April 13, 1999. Over two hundred residents heard WRT review the current status of the site. WRT then provided a review of the opportunities and constraints associated with the site. For example, they discussed the land area and facilities that might be needed for both habitat conservation and recreational uses. The meeting finished with attendees placing markers on posters that contained the various possible uses of the site.

May 13, 1999 was the third meeting. WRT presented three (3) alternatives for use of the Boyce-Mayview property for public comment. The alternatives were also on display at community day. The Upper St. Clair Township website has the various resource assessment maps that were presented at the first and second public meetings as well as three alternative use maps for the property presented at the third public meeting.

The fourth meeting was held Thursday, September 9, 1999. WRT reviewed the planning process and the assessment they had done on the site. They then presented the draft of the master plan and opened the meeting for comments by residents. WRT emphasized that their goal was to preserve the natural diversity of the site while providing for the many diverse interests of the community as a whole. The plan would develop the site in a low maintenance and sustainable manner. To that end, the proposal placed the active uses of the property in the north end of the site with the meeting and sports facilities in and near the current barn area. The facilities could include both indoor and outdoor areas for community events, an aquatic recreation center and both formal and informal grass fields for sports practice, picnicking or kite flying. The proposed nature/education center would be an innovative earth covered building, and the community gardens and perhaps an orchard would be nearby. Access to the park would be primarily through this developed area with a semi-circular trail running to the south end of the park. The central and southern portion of the site would be devoted to habitat enhancement to promote the bio-diversity that already exists.

The final meeting presented the final master plan to the Board of Commissioners. The meeting was held Monday, October 11, 1999. The presentation included recommendations for phasing, priorities and costs of implementing the plan. WRT has prepared a briefing book for the commissioners meeting.

The master plan was formally accepted by the commissioners at the monthly meeting on November 1, 1999. A copy of the master plan is available in the township library. The next step will be implementation of the master plan. Stay tuned for further information on this implementation phase.