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Volunteers Transform Empty Lot In Homewood

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- Volunteers from PNC and the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy turned empty space into green space at Crescent Early Childhood Center in Homewood.

The play space theme of "birds" came with a kid-size nest of dried vines, woven together.

Landscape architect Kara Roggenkamp says the project, financed by PNC Bank, gives purpose to a space that was rarely used.

"In a way it was sort of a blank slate," she said. "But really we saw it as a great opportunity to bring in more different kinds of plants, more diversity, and really get the kids engaged with nature."

Judy Wagner, gardens and green space director with the conservancy, says the aim is to bring kids closer to nature.

"Being outdoors is really crucial to children's development," she said. "Cognitive development, physical development – even their emotional and social interaction changes if they're in an outdoor space."

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