Doing some research, "ground ivy" / "Creeping Charley" is really tough. A few sites said that repeated, sequential applications of herbicide will be needed. And they were not listing relatively benign herbicides like glycophosphate RoundUp.
I second the suggestion someone made, about asking an Allegheny county ag co-op or university ag department. If there is any effective, green method to control it, it's more likely to be local-only, because there seems to be no good widespread method. Local Master Gardener phone line?
http://extension.psu.edu/alleg...
Advice from a local landscaper service? They are likely to know what works best, and is worst for the environment.
Maybe schedule more than one season to eradicate that ivy, before planting things there that you expect to succeed. Maybe repeated flamings followed by some digging and some spraying, then heavily-sown crops of something that can compete really well, like a cover crop.
When even people recommending the NASTY herbicides say it will take repeated sprayings, you know you have a tough row to hoe.
