From debris cleanup to invasive species removal, transforming Hays Woods Park has been no easy feat—but community is making it easier.
The PPC team poses for a photo in Hays Woods Park
If you've hiked through Hays Woods' 626 acres of interior forest and mature woodlands, you may have noticed new networks of recently planted trees, cleaner trails, or goats chomping away on Japanese knotweed. Those things didn't happen by accident. The Parks Conservancy's Horticulture and Forestry team, along with dedicated volunteers, friends of the park, longtime residents, and community partners, are making a real difference. Read on below to see what the team has been up to for the past six months!
Ecological Restoration Gains Momentum
Community partners such as Park Rangers, Allegheny CleanWays, Allegheny GoatScape, Bird Lab, Landforce, and Student Conservation Association, are just a few of the dedicated organizations helping to transform this urban oasis. From park cleanup to avian research, it takes a village to restore this habitat to a thriving state. Over the past six months, Parks Conservancy team members and volunteers have been busy removing large swatches of woody invasive plants (shrubs and vines), forming brush material into habitat piles, removing refuse and litter, protecting existing native vegetation, and prepping the ground for new planting.
Brush piles strategically placed in Hays Woods Park.
The team is steadily pushing their way through decades of disturbance and neglect in the acreage behind the Agnew Road trailhead. The section of forest called the "Pizza Slice" contains choked and polluted ravines, old wells, and stone foundations, presenting the team with unique challenges. A hallmark of the ecological strategy includes chopping through the dense, invaded understory, which brings sunlight to the forest floor and promotes native species growth.
Programming Spreads Like Wildfire
Programming remains strong in Hays Woods Park, reaching new attendees and longtime supporters alike. This spring, we hosted a Spring Ephemeral Walk, which drew a few dozen people to the park—many for the first time. Led by Ecological Restoration Coordinator, Jared Belsky, the visitors hiked miles of trails while looking for signs of fleeting beauty, like mayapples and bloodroot. They finished the hike with a stunning view of the Monongahela River.
Hays Wood Spring Ephemeral Hike - April 2026
Making Strides in Habitat Restoration
Like an injured bird in a wildlife rehabilitation center, Hays Woods park is getting healthier every day. From a brand-new deer exclosure to planting of native trees and shrubs, the park is making it's way back to greatness. Check out some of our impressive accomplishments:
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Parks Conservancy staff has touched over 20 acres of parkland through active management and partnerships.
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A 1,873 sq. ft., 8-ft. tall deer exclosure has been installed in a canopy gap near the main trailhead to protect 45 newly planted trees and shrubs.
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Almost 80 native trees and shrubs were planted in highly visible restoration sites to enhance biodiversity, improve habitat for wildlife, and beautify the park.
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Maintenance and care of 85 previously planted native trees and shrubs in individual cages in targeted areas continues.
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Hundreds of native herbaceous plugs planted at trailhead and powerline cut areas to enhance biodiversity and rejuvenate seed bank.
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Several canopy gaps were identified to restore and preserve core forest habitat.
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Over 2,000 lbs. of manmade debris, including 210 tires, were removed from three different illegal dumpsites with the help of Allegheny CleanWays and 40 volunteers over two events in November and December of 2025.
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13 public Stewardship Days happened, engaging 80 total community volunteers.
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12 public engagement walks took place in Hays Woods with 113 total participants.
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A public presentation regarding Hays Woods Park and current ecological restoration efforts took place at Carnegie Museum of Natural History’s Annual NatureFest event, and catered to approximately 50 attendees.
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Funding received for a formal assessment of existing trails in the park.
Recently constructed Hays Woods deer exclosure
By continuing our work to save existing canopy, protect young native vegetation from deer herbivory, and increase biodiversity, the Parks Conservancy is investing in long-term improvement of Hays Woods Park’s ecosystem. The lasting benefits include erosion control, stormwater management, urban heat mitigation, and air quality improvement for the park space and surrounding communities. And by introducing new native plant material for biodiverse regeneration, the Parks Conservancy is looking to enhance habitat quality for wildlife and pollinator species.
To learn more about Hays Woods Park, visit our dedicated landing page, or take place in an upcoming Stewardship Day.
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