Even though Moon’s northern border is the Ohio River, few Moon residents have ever launched a boat from there into the river.

Historically, industry settled along Moon’s 2.65-mile waterfront, and no public river access exists.

“The big push is to reverse the trend” and township officials plan to join the push, said Moon Parks and Recreation Director Dana Kasler.

The state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources recently awarded the township a $30,000 grant to plan a waterfront park on 17 acres. The park would extend about one-third of a mile, from a point beneath the Sewickley Bridge to a petroleum tank farm to the southeast.

Kasler said it will take about 10 to 12 months to complete the plan, which he said would study how to provide public access to the river. Kasler said he expects the park to include a boat dock, and a hiking and biking trail. The trail would be part of the Ohio Valley Trail that would cover nine communities in Allegheny and Beaver counties, from the Pennsylvania border to the Montour Trail at its 0-mile mark in Coraopolis. There is no deadline for completing the park, the construction of which will be dependent on funds.

The township board of supervisors could provide funding. Kasler said the township would solicit donations from private donors.

A committee of community residents would be part of the study group, including members of the Moon Parks Advisory Board and possibly the state Fish and Game Commission.

“We’re hoping this will be a stopping point for rowers and kayakers,” Kasler said.

According to the Allegheny County Web site, the Moon Township Municipal Authority spent $1 in 2002 to buy 13.2 acres comprising the defunct Russell, Burdsall & Ward nut manufacturing plant property. The authority, which has owned the remaining four adjacent acres since 1965, uses some of the land for its wellheads. The wellheads would be fenced off from the public when the remaining land would open for public use, with the township renting the property from MTMA.

“We think it will be an asset and a nice addition to the community,” said John Riley, General Manager of the Moon Township Municipal Authority.

The former manufacturing plant was demolished years ago, but its basement would need to be razed and used for fill. Kasler said MTMA has plans to clean up the site. Redevelopment for a park would mean “an absolute minimum tree removal.” Redevelopment would include a new entrance from University Boulevard, which is Route 51.

Township Assistant Manager and Planning Director Adam McGurk said the waterfront park study would dovetail nicely with a review of the township’s comprehensive plan, which is in its initial stages.

“It’s nice both plans can run concurrently and (feed) into each other,” McGurk said.

When finished, the waterfront park would be the fourth major park for Moon, along with Moon Park, Robin Hill Park and Olson Park. Olson, on Flaugherty Run Road, is expected to be open fully in the spring. But only Moon Waterfront Park would have river access.

“This is something very different for Moon,” Kasler said.

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