The Otto and Magdalene Ackermann Nature Preserve in North Huntingdon Township is the forested hills north of US 30 and above Brush Creek. The bridge over Brush Creek from Ardara/PA 993 is out, so the reserve is best reached from Leger Road via Route 30.
To reach the reserve from points west (Pittsburgh/Allegheny County)
From Pittsburgh’s Parkway East (I-376), the intersection of US 30 and PA 48 can be reached by driving 7 miles on US 30 east/Ardmore Blvd from Exit 78A – Forest Hills, or by driving 5 ½ miles south on PA 48 from Exit 84A – Monroeville.
At the intersection of PA 48 and US 30, travel east on US 30 for ½ mile to make a left onto Leger Road (Sheetz on the right-hand corner).
Turn left onto Leger Road and travel through the countryside for 2 miles. (Ignore the closed road signs as they are referring to the bridge over Brush Creek). Look for the Ackermann reserve sign on the left and park at the end of the grassy strip between two homes.
To reach the reserve from points east (Greensburg/Irwin turnpike interchange)
Travel US 30 west through Irwin and North Huntingdon. Two miles from the light at Robbins Station Road (after several Kenny Ross car dealerships), continue 2 miles on US 30 west to Leger Road (Sheetz is on the left-hand intersection).
Turn right onto Leger Road and travel through the countryside for 2 miles. (Ignore the closed road signs as they are referring to the bridge over Brush Creek). Look for the Ackermann reserve sign on the left and park at the end of the grassy strip between two homes.
GPS coordinates: 40.36105, -79.74410 – Remember that the bridge from Ardara/PA 993 is out, so the reserve must be reached from along US 30.