This is the presentation Presley gave at the 2013 Statewide Conference on Heritage on the Young Voices panel.

1. Save the South
Park Game
Preserve
By Presley Oliphant

2. South Park is a 2,013 acre park located
15 miles south of downtown Pittsburgh
and is owned by Allegheny County.
The Game Preserve is located in the
heart of the park.
On the Game Preserve is the William
Kiddoo house, which dates back to the
Whiskey Rebellion.
The Game Preserve is home to many
animals, including ducks, geese, a
peacock and bison.
What is the
Game Preserve?

3.  Then
 Now
Kiddoo House

4. In Need of TLC

5. My Goal for the
Kiddoo House
Restore the house to original
condition.
Turn the house into the Park’s Nature
Center. (Currently located next to the
Sherriff’s Office.)
Have an education center in the
house for field trips and visitors.

6. The Bison

7. The bison were brought to South Park
from Colorado in the 1920’s by
County commissioners, along with
Native American Chief Wild Eagle
and his tribe from Montana to care
for them.
There are 7 females and 7 males, plus
2 male calves.
The most bison that have been in
South Park was 32 back in the 40’s.
The Bison

8. Plans are currently being looked at by
the bison caregiver for a new enclosure
for the bison.
These plans would include flatter
ground for the bison.
The Bison

9. The Game Preserve has a large duck
pond that is home to many ducks, geese
and some turtles.
There is also a lone peacock that lives at
the Game Preserve.
There used to be a deer enclosure years
ago, but it is no longer there.
I also enjoy seeing the squirrels, bunnies
and ground hogs that live around the
Game Preserve.
Ducks, Geese & Peacocks,
Oh My!

10. The Duck Pond

11. The upper part of the pond needs
redone with some type of water
moving. Branches, litter and other
debris gets stuck and makes it gross.
Signs need be to posted about feeding
the animals. They are often very
overfed by families with loaf after loaf
of bread.
Fixing Up the Pond

12. The Peacock

13. What I am Doing
 I started by writing a letter and presenting it to
the Friends of South Park and County
Executive, Rich Fitzgerald.
 I created a website and a Facebook page to
spread the word on what I was trying to do. So
far I have 1,301 likes!
 I held an Easter Egg hunt to try to get more
young people involved.
 I have been selling t-shirts promoting my
website.
 To date, I have raised $2,575.

14. What’s Next?
 I would like to have plaques throughout
the park educating visitors on different
animals, and wildlife. (This could
potentially be a way to recognize
large sponsors.)
 I want to meet with County
Executives about plans for the
house. I’ve had several offers for
materials to be donated, which
can help keep costs down.
 I would like to plan a 5k as a
fund-raiser.

15. Stay Plugged In
Visit my website at
savethesouthparkgamepreserve.com
Like my Facebook page, Save the South
Park Game Preserve
Sign up to receive my monthly newsletter