Churchill Valley Greenway Restoration Project Overview

Since acquiring Churchill Valley Greenway in 2021, Allegheny Land Trust has worked alongside community members, partners, and supporters to restore and reimagine this unique landscape for both people and wildlife. Together, we’ve made meaningful progress on the community-informed vision for the conservation area, planting thousands of native trees across former fairways, managing invasive species, and developing a comprehensive Stewardship & Management Plan to guide improvements through 2035.

Now, we are launching the next major phase of our plan by undertaking a transformative, two-part ecological restoration project that will run through December 2027. Beginning in July 2026, a new Mine Drainage Treatment System will be installed to improve the health of Chalfant Run. Following that work, ALT will re-naturalize the stream, removing rock gabions and allowing Chalfant Run to return to a natural flow starting in October 2026 and continuing through December 2027.

Acid Mine Drainage Treatment System Installation | ~ July – October 2026

ALT is partnering with Hedin Environmental to install an Acid Mine Drainage (AMD) treatment system at the Greenway. This $2.7 million investment – funded in part by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection AMD/AML Grant Program through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act – will address acidic mine drainage entering Chalfant Run from a buried tributary connected to historic coal mining and stormwater infrastructure in the surrounding watershed.

For many longtime visitors, this means the stream’s familiar aluminum-blue coloration – a result of dissolved metals and acidic water – will become a thing of the past. The new treatment system will use limestone beds and settling ponds to neutralize acidic water and remove pollutants before clean water flows into Chalfant Run. The former footprint of the country club building, parking lots, and tennis courts will be transformed into functioning ecological infrastructure that improves habitat, supports biodiversity, and lays the groundwork for future trail and visitor improvements. See map below for areas that will be impacted between July and October 2026.

CVG Restoration | Jul – Oct 2026 | AMD System Work by Allegheny Land Trust

Restoring Natural Flow to Chalfant Run | ~ October 2026 – December 2027

Following installation of the AMD system, ALT will begin work stream and wetland restoration work with Naturion in late 2026 through 2027. Chalfant Run will be re-naturalized by removing the channelizing, outdated rock gabions and allowing the stream to return to a more natural flow pattern.

While visitors will initially notice significant construction activity and landscape disturbance, these changes are essential to restoring the stream’s long-term health and resilience and make way for more sustainable trails.

 

How Will This Impact Visitation

As construction begins, visitors should expect significant changes to parking access and trail routes. Trees will be removed, earth will be moved, and heavy equipment will be active across the green space.

The western parking lot at the former country club site will permanently close as it becomes home to the AMD treatment system. Parking will remain limited during construction through the end of 2027, and visitors should not use construction entrances or restricted work areas. Some trails near the stream corridor will also be removed or rerouted until new bridges and trail connections are completed in future phases.

These short-term disruptions are part of a long-term investment in the future of Churchill Valley Greenway. This type of restoration is most effective when completed comprehensively and all at once, and ALT has a rare opportunity to align major funding, restoration expertise, and construction resources to accomplish this work now.

When ALT first protected Churchill Valley Greenway, the community made it clear they wanted to see habitat restored, meadows maintained, and trails preserved. This project directly advances that vision. While the next several years will require patience and flexibility from visitors, the long-term result will be a healthier stream, restored wetlands and forests, improved flood protection, and a more resilient and vibrant green space for both wildlife and the community to enjoy for generations to come.

 

Progress Updates & Additional Information

In addition to updating this webpage and our active land notices webpage, we will email progress updates in late July and include information about a public information session and educational programs that help grow understanding and clarity about AMD and this particular project.

Sign up here for our monthly email newsletter and write “Churchill” in the comments to get tailored project updates.

 

This restoration process was made possible thanks to funding from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection AMD/AML Grant Program through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and our relationship with Naturion – Mitigation Banking.