Project Details
The Big Bend Bird Viewing Station project in Warren County was a collaborative effort to construct a state-of-the-art, handicap-accessible bird viewing station and related trails along the Allegheny River, at the base of the Kinzua Dam. This project aimed to provide a sheltered and stable platform for observing and photographing a variety of bird species and wildlife, enhancing both recreational and educational opportunities for visitors.
The viewing station’s distinctive design blends seamlessly with its natural surroundings, offering visitors an ideal location to observe bald eagles, great blue herons, hooded mergansers, kingfishers, and many other bird species. The station provides a unique asset and destination in the region, contributing to the quality of life for residents and attracting nature enthusiasts and photographers.
The project was the result of a vision shared by members of the Allegheny Outdoor Club, in cooperation with Penn Soil RC&D Council and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Volunteers from the Allegheny Outdoor Club cleared the land, while the Penn Soil RC&D Council managed the project, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will maintain the site. Funding was provided by the Lumber Heritage Region, Betts Foundation, First Energy Foundation, First Energy Corporation, Community Foundation of Warren, and Northern Allegheny.
The Big Bend Bird Viewing Station demonstrates the power of partnerships and community involvement in creating significant recreational assets. The project has not only provided a new attraction for visitors but has also inspired further grassroots projects aimed at enhancing the region’s natural and recreational resources.
