Landscape contractors were hard at work under the warm afternoon sun last Friday as plantings began at the site of the Mary Roberts Rinehart Nature Park to coincide with Arbor Day.

A total of 60 trees and shrubs of approximately 36 different native species including spicebush, witch hazel, serviceberry, shagbark hickory and pawpaw were brought to the park next to Osborne Elementary to replace many Norway maples and other invasive species removed from the site.

Since the Osborne Trail and Park Association purchased the land from the Quaker Valley School District for $1, volunteers have helped remove the invasive trees, which limit growth of other plant species by sucking up all of the nutrients in the soil.

"I've never been responsible for the death of so many trees," Thad Jones, park ranger at Sewickley Heights Park, who also is assisting at the Osborne parklet, said.

"We are, essentially, taking out the bad woods and putting in good ones."

He estimates the Norway maples, which are native to eastern and central Europe and southwest Asia, were planted in the area in the late 1800s or early 1900s because they were tolerant of city conditions and pollution.

The Arbor Day plantings were purchased through grants and private funding and will cover approximately one-half to two-thirds of the park.

The back half of the park closest to Route 65 will be cleared of invasive species and prepped for fall plantings.

Natasha Green, a member of the Osborne Trail and Park Association, said the group plans to conduct a private donor drive to raise money for those plantings.

Overall, Jones expects nearly 100 different species of native trees and shrubs when they complete all plantings. Thousands of perennials also will be planted.

Because, he said, they are on a shoestring budget, Jones hopes the community will step up and support the three main goals of the park -- ecological restoration, planting for education purposes and natural beauty.

Many people, including school children, have donated time to help at the park, most recently during an Earth Day cleanup event.

To help maintain the park, an intern has been hired for the summer to water the area and spray deer repellent there.

Green said she's thrilled with how things are progressing at the park.

"Everything has been going magnificently," she said.

Residents and park-goers also should expect to see a few other new additions to the park that include stone benches built by resident Eston Owens, who also built the amphitheater, as well as a wrought iron post designed by a local artist to display the park's name.

Green said she hopes to open the park officially on June 8 to coincide with Osborne Borough's 125th anniversary celebration.

Association members are looking for volunteers to donate time to help aid in efforts at the park. They also are seeking more stone to build the benches. To volunteer or donate material, call Natasha Green at 412-749-0128.