The story of the Winnie Palmer Nature Reserve began more than 20 years ago when two insightful local attorneys sensed opportunity. It was a beautiful parkland area with the kind of natural wildlife that instantly instills serenity. But local investors Ned Nakles Sr. and Emmett Boyle believed the wedge of U.S. Route 30 growth that starts in Pittsburgh would eventually spike east clear to the foothills
of the Laurel Mountains.
By 1998, eager developers came knocking and proved their conclusions were commercially shrewd. But a grassroots backlash was brewing among citizens who believed growth had to be tempered with respect for the environment, and many residents resented what large retailers were doing to their small towns.
Among those critics was a woman who had spent a lifetime in the shadow of a global institution of a different sort. It was Winnie Palmer, wife of world-renown golfing legend Arnold Palmer. The pair raised their daughters, Peg Palmer Wears and Amy Palmer Saunders, in Latrobe and still resided there. To millions of fans around the world, Latrobe is an iconic name that means thrilling golf and Arnold Palmer. But to the Palmer family, Latrobe simply meant home.
Winnie Palmer always felt a surge of satisfaction looking out across the overgrown field to see the cathedral spires spiking up from Saint Vincent College, a place where she’d fostered many friendships through her involvement with philanthropic endeavors over the years. To her, developing the land would indelibly smudge the scenery. But she was not without regard for those who felt differently.
“It was a difficult situation for my mom,” says Amy Saunders. “Not only did she have strong feelings of opposition to large commercial developments, but she was sensitive to the community desires and she would never want her actions to result in hard feelings among her neighbors.”
While her husband was known for his deft touch around the greens, any public actions would require an equally deft touch from Winnie Palmer if she hoped to persuade and cajole competing interests into turning back what was literally a squad of steamrollers eager to advance.
The inspirational memory of all that she’s meant to the ones she loved would take care of the rest. Because it turns out her opposition would become the final poignant quest in a life that ended November 20, 1999. Her death galvanized a movement that shared her feelings and wanted to commemorate her memory with a fitting tribute. Hers wasn’t the only monumental death to befall Latrobe that year. It also marked the passing of Ned Nakles Sr.
As organizers began raising a sufficient fund that would fend off development and make equitable compensation to the Nakles and Boyle families, the movement that started out as something to stop growth began to talk about doing just that. But this growth would be truly organic. Momentum began to build to not only preserve the existing land, but to enhance it as a place where the community could
relax and learn.
Winnie Palmer adored western Pennsylvania’s barns and how they added character to the rolling landscape. Thus, Roy and Amy Saunders spearheaded an effort to have a dilapidated barn on the property moved and rebuilt to serve as the site’s education center. A grand stone patio at the base of a natural amphitheater features an abstract sculpture that was designed by artist Julie Amrani of Chicago to reflect Winnie Palmer’s love of nature and reading. An historic old blockhouse was also restored. But the most important elements of the Winnie Palmer Nature Reserve would lie in the great outdoors. To that end, the environmental architectural firm of Sweringen, Earl and Dietrick pooled their expertise to give then Reserve vivid touches that will sparkle in every season. They constructed a butterfly garden close by the barn and numerous walking paths that lead from the Reserve to Saint Vincent College and beyond. Indigenous fruit trees will be grouped in a mini-orchard and fields of wildflowers and seasonal perennials will dapple the grounds throughout the year.
The reserve’s opening was celebrated September 9th 2007, during a gala weekend that saw the unveiling of a Arnold Palmer at his namesake Latrobe airport across U.S. Route 30 from the Reserve. Reflecting on the end result of everything that had been invested in this unique project, a pleased and grateful Arnold Palmer summed up his family’s feelings: “Winnie would have been delighted to see what has happened to this piece of land that she helped protect for the community. I feel sure that this beautiful park would have exceeded her fondest dreams and that the community’s appreciation of it and Winnie will only grow over the years.”
Yes, the real future of the land once destined for development now involves doing what all organic things do when left undisturbed by intruding elements. The Winnie Palmer Nature Reserve will flourish.