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County Executive Sara Innamorato and Parks Foundation Executive Director, Joey-Linn Ulrich, recently unveiled two impactful projects in Round Hill Park at the newly restored Allée and recently installed Visitors Center Rain Garden. Round Hill Park is in Elizabeth Township, encompasses 1,101 acres of land and features an exhibition farm with animals.

The Allée (a straight path, lined with trees or shrubs) has been an iconic feature in Round Hill Park for years and has been the location of many engagements, family photoshoots and joyous walks. Unfortunately, a deadly fungal disease, verticillium wilt, infected the maple trees that made up this beloved allée, requiring their removal to ensure the safety of park visitors and nearby animals. The area was replanted with a variety of species that are both resilient to the disease and safe for the surrounding farm animals. Funding was provided by FedEx for this work and remarks were given during the ceremony by their Vice President of Litigation, Joe Milcoff.

The Visitors Center Demonstration Rain Garden was recently installed to manage rainwater from the building’s roof and paved walkways, while educating visitors about stormwater management. Designed to capture up to 31,200 gallons of rain annually, the project included piping, engineered soils, native plants, and erosion control to reduce runoff, prevent downstream flooding, and filter pollutants. Interpretive signage will soon provide further educational insights for park visitors. Funding was provided by the EQT Foundation for this work and Ellen Rossi, President of the EQT Foundation, gave remarks during the ceremony.

Both projects were inspired by the Ecological Assessment and Action Plan that was created for Round Hill Park, which was funded by the Allegheny County Parks Foundation and completed by the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy. These comprehensive studies evaluate each park’s natural resources and ecological assets and recommend an implementation plan for improving the environment of the park. The Parks Foundation and Allegheny County use these to guide project selection in the nine county parks.

The ribbon cutting event was followed by refreshments inside the Visitors Center and farm tours, led by the Allegheny County Park Rangers.

“Every week, an average of 22 adolescents ages 14-18 die in the U.S. from drug overdoses, primarily due to fentanyl-laced prescription pills,” said Jane Milner, Program Coordinator at the library. “Many of these young people are taking a pill for the first time, unaware of the lethal risks involved.”

The resource center can be found on the second floor of the Jefferson Hills Municipal Center, just outside the library doors. This dedicated resource area features pamphlets, flyers, and educational materials on various drug-related topics. The information is designed to help parents and caregivers navigate critical conversations about drug use, recognize the warning signs of drug use in teens, and understand the potentially fatal risks associated with even a single counterfeit pill.

In developing these resources, Milner collaborated with Dr. Elizabeth Zona, a double board-certified physician in anesthesiology and addiction medicine from Moon Township. Dr. Zona’s expertise in addiction medicine and firsthand experience with the impact of fentanyl on young lives have made her a powerful advocate for education on this issue. She recently spoke at a library program, emphasizing the dangers posed by counterfeit fentanyl pills, which are increasingly prevalent in communities.

“Seven out of every ten fake fentanyl pills bought on the street contain a potentially lethal dose,” Dr. Zona explained. “These pills are deceivingly similar to legitimate prescription medications, and their users often have no idea they are ingesting fentanyl.”

Dr. Zona’s message is clear: the community needs to be aware of the dangers and prevalence of these counterfeit pills, which are often sold as common medications like Percocet, Xanax, and Adderall. “A classroom of teens a week are dying from illicit fentanyl,” she said. “Many believe they’re taking a legitimate prescription, but nearly every pill not directly provided by a doctor is likely fake—and potentially fatal.”

The Jefferson Hills Public Library is a PA Forward Gold Star Library, committed to promoting community literacy across essential areas, including health and wellness. “Our Gold Star designation means we prioritize programming and resources that support key literacies for our community—whether for employment skills, responsible citizenship, or health and wellness,” said Milner. “This drug prevention resource area is one way we’re helping residents stay informed about an urgent issue that impacts us all.”

Community members are encouraged to visit the library’s resource area to access the free materials available and become better informed on this critical public health issue. By increasing awareness and providing reliable resources, the library hopes to contribute to a safer, more informed community, protecting its youth and families from the growing threat of fentanyl-laced drugs.

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