Save the South

Park Game

PreserveBy Presley Oliphant

South Park is a 2,013 acre park located

15 miles south of downtown Pittsburgh

and is owned by Allegheny County.

The Game Preserve is located in the

heart of the park.

On the Game Preserve is the William

Kiddoo house, which dates back to the

Whiskey Rebellion.

The Game Preserve is home to many

animals, including ducks, geese, a

peacock and bison.

What is the Game Preserve?

Then

Now

Kiddoo House

In Need of TLC

My Goal for the

Kiddoo House

Restore the house to original

condition.

Turn the house into the Park’s Nature

Center. (Currently located next to the

Sherriff’s Office.)

Have an education center in the

house for field trips and visitors.

The Bison

The bison were brought to South Park

from Colorado in the 1920’s by

County commissioners, along with

Native American Chief Wild Eagle

and his tribe from Montana to care

for them.

There are 7 females and 7 males, plus

2 male calves.

The most bison that have been in

South Park was 32 back in the 40’s.

The Bison

Plans are currently being looked at by

the bison caregiver for a new enclosure

for the bison.

These plans would include flatter

ground for the bison.

The Bison

The Game Preserve has a large duck

pond that is home to many ducks, geese

and some turtles.

There is also a lone peacock that lives at

the Game Preserve.

There used to be a deer enclosure years

ago, but it is no longer there.

I also enjoy seeing the squirrels, bunnies

and ground hogs that live around the

Game Preserve.

Ducks, Geese & Peacocks,

Oh My!

The Duck Pond

The upper part of the pond needs

redone with some type of water

moving. Branches, litter and other

debris gets stuck and makes it gross.

Signs need be to posted about feeding

the animals. They are often very

overfed by families with loaf after loaf

of bread.

Fixing Up the Pond

The Peacock

What I am Doing

I started by writing a letter and presenting it to

the Friends of South Park and County

Executive, Rich Fitzgerald.

I created a website and a Facebook page to

spread the word on what I was trying to do. So

far I have 1,301 likes!

I held an Easter Egg hunt to try to get more

young people involved.

I have been selling t-shirts promoting my

website.

To date, I have raised $2,575.

What’s Next?

I would like to have plaques throughout

the park educating visitors on different

animals, and wildlife. (This could

potentially be a way to recognize

large sponsors.)

I want to meet with County

Executives about plans for the

house. I’ve had several offers for

materials to be donated, which

can help keep costs down.

I would like to plan a 5k as a

fund-raiser.

Stay Plugged In

Visit my website at

savethesouthparkgamepreserve.com

Like my Facebook page, Save the South

Park Game Preserve

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