TWIN HILLS PARK
At the northwest edge of Mt. Lebanon is a 25-acre green space with the official name of Twin Hills Trails Park. The parcel is owned by Mt. Lebanon but lies within the boundary of Scott Township.
There are a number of trails throughout the park, and dogs are welcome on-leash.
Twin Hills Trails Park is surrounded on all sides by private property, and the only public access is from Twin Hills Drive. Visitors should park on a nearby street.
Wherever you walk in the heavily wooded park, you will see evidence of work by Mt. Lebanon Nature Conservancy and some projects enacted by Eagle Scouts. Trails have been hardened with gravel in locations where mud sometimes is a problem. And bridges have been added in three locations along the stream.
Moreover, Conservancy volunteers have planted numerous trees and shrubs (look for protective “tree tubes” or fencing) in locations that have been cleared of invasive shrubs. In addition, native perennial seed mixes have been scattered, most extensively in the southwestern quadrant. Still, there is a whole lot more to be done.
Birding is a special highlight at Twin Hills, and many walkers you encounter will have binoculars in hand. A bird blind (a structure from which it is possible to view birds without spooking them) is situated in the northwest quadrant of the park, along the Monarch Loop Trail.
An intermittent stream runs north to south through the center of the park, and enters a large culvert soon after it leaves park property, continuing underground south and west into Scott Township and eventually toward Chartiers Creek.
One of the most exciting thing about Twin Hills is that it is the habitat for two rare species of snails, the Maryland Glyph and the Armed Snaggletooth. You would be lucky to ever see either one, however, because they’re about the size of a sesame seed or grain of rice. Because of the presence of these tiny creatures, the Pennsylvania Natural Heritage Program has designated the park a globally significant Natural Heritage Area.