Westmoreland purchases land along Loyalhanna Gorge

Access to a Westmoreland County park along the Loyalhanna Gorge will be expanded through the purchase of four parcels.

County commissioners on Thursday approved the $74,000 acquisition from Donald E. Paxton.

“This will provide a little bit more space for people to park and enjoy that vista,” said Commissioner Doug Chew.

The acquisition in Ligonier Township is being funded through hotel tax revenue and the county’s Citizens Advisory Board, a volunteer group that advises on the growth and development of parks and recreation, he said.

Westmoreland County owns 1,200 acres on either side of Route 30 between Latrobe and Ligonier that serve as a park with wooded green space, said Brandon Simpson, director of parks and recreation. The county’s ownership stretches up the hillsides surrounding Loyalhanna Creek between Kingston Dam and Longbridge.

A parking area was added in the past eight months on the westbound side of the highway to provide a safe place for visitors to leave their vehicles. The acquisition will allow for a similar access point from Route 30 east, he said.

“We’re discussing future facilities on that property that would include trails,” he said.

The new parking lot on the westbound side created a safe space to park. Before it was created, there was parking only along the shoulder of the highway.

Commissioner Sean Kertes said the land acquisition will help more people get outside and explore the county.

“We know our parks and trails are the gem of Westmoreland County. This is just adding to that,” he said.