If you’ve been to Mellon Square in the last ten months, you’ve no doubt seen the construction crews hard at work. The fruits of that labor will be open to the public this summer, when a brand new public Terrace will be available for use and enjoyment in the middle of the Downtown bustle.

Construction in Mellon Square kicked off in June 2011, with demolition and clearing of the planting beds above the retail shops on Smithfield Street. This area has been covered with trees and vegetation since the Square opened in 1955 and was previously never available to the public. When completed, the Terrace will be an open space for people to enjoy on their own, or to attend programs and events. Crews have built two accessible entrances to the Terrace, so that everyone can enjoy this new space. Seating and plantings will make this a relaxing, intimate place that expands the useable space of the park by 15%.

As part of the First Phase of the project, two restored staircases lead visitors up from Smithfield Street and into the park. Refurbished irrigated planters will hold new trees, flowering shrubs, and groundcovers. New lighting is being installed to illuminate the pavement and steps as it did in 1955.

Also under construction are the Cascade and Central Fountains, to be fully completed

Spring 2012

The Central Fountain’s bronze basins each weigh 3,500 pounds and measure nine feet across. Crews carefully removed the basins from Mellon Square in January for restoration by Matthews International Corporation.

Smithfield Street Portion of Mellon Square Restoration to Re-Open This Summer

in 2013. Over time, both fountains have been altered from their original design, and their plumbing has deteriorated to the point where they could not

be operated reliably. The project aims to restore them to their original, elegant design and water effects.

In January of this year, the nine 3,500-pound bronze basins featured in the Central Fountain were temporarily removed to be restored to a true bronze patina by Matthews International Corporation, which originally cast the massive basins. Selective demolition and removal of the basins allowed crews to get a better understanding of the work required to reconstruct the basin supports.

Recreating the 1955 look of the fountains has been the most complex part

of the restoration. “We gave careful consideration to how best to provide the refreshing experience of the fountains by recapturing their historic design,” said Parks Curator Susan Rademacher. “The Cascade is the Square’s invitation and the Central Fountain is the focal point. It is essential to restore these qualities which are so key to the historic significance of Mellon Square.”

Major Support for the Mellon Square Restoration is provided by:

Richard King Mellon Foundation Colcom Foundation

Eden Hall FoundationThe Heinz Endowments

Hillman Foundation UPMC

McCune FoundationHighmark

Duquesne Light BNY Mellon Foundation

of Southwestern Pennsylvania

The Buhl Foundation The Benter Foundation

Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation The Fine Foundation

Ryan Memorial Foundation

W.I. Patterson Charitable Fund Dylan Todd Simonds Foundation Henry John Simonds Foundation

Talbott and Carter Simonds Foundation PNC Foundation Reed Smith, LLC

H.J. Heinz Company FoundationWilliam F. Gauss and

Lynn D. Gauss Foundation

John

Altd

orfer

The Mellon Square Restoration is a partnership between the City of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy, Pittsburgh Parking Authority, Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership, and Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Foundation. When fully restored in 2013, Mellon Square will provide a renewed urban oasis for workers, visitors, and residents, while supporting economic growth in the heart of Downtown.

Matthews International Corporation

To learn more and donate to the Mellon Square Restoration, contact

Richard Reed at 412-682-7275.

In 1955, Matthews International crafted each basin in one solid piece, making them the largest single bronze basins ever cast.

Page 2 the VOICE

Dear Friends of Pittsburgh Parks,Spring is always an active time in our parks—and for the Parks Conservancy—and

this year’s early spring has been exceptionally exciting. Just a few weeks ago we unveiled designs for two new park projects with neighbors of McKinley Park in Beltzhoover, and Cliffside Park in the Hill District. The number of people who turned out to celebrate

with us in Beltzhoover and the Hill District reminds us just how passionate people are about parks—especially their neighborhood parks. It was a wonderful opportunity for those who attended— from Mayor Ravenstahl and Representative Jake Wheatley, to representatives of the Governor’s office, Senator Ferlo, and four members of City Council—to see how important accessible, well-maintained park space is to a community.

On other fronts, the mild winter also meant the Mellon Square restoration stayed on schedule, and we look forward to opening the Square’s new Terrace this summer. The design concepts of the new Environmental Center building and landscape in Frick Park went on display for public input this spring

Message from the President

Westinghouse Memorial Needs Funding for Repairs

John

Altd

orfer

StaffMeg Cheever, President & CEORichard Reed, Senior Vice PresidentMichael Sexauer, Vice President, AdministrationLaurie Anderson, Director of Grants AdministrationJim Griffin, Director of FacilitiesPhil Gruszka, Director of Park Management and

MaintenanceMarijke Hecht, Director of EducationSusan Rademacher, Parks CuratorKim Barner, Senior AccountantBeth Bodamer, Executive AssistantJoyce Collier, Development Assistant Erin Copeland, Restoration EcologistBryan Dolney, Field EcologistWilliam Ferguson, Development Officer - Corporate &

Government RelationsKathleen Gaines, Development AssociateAngela Masters, HorticulturistTaiji Nelson, Education Program CoordinatorJessica Romano, Marketing & Communications ManagerHolly Stayton, Development Officer, eCommerce

The Westinghouse Memorial and pond is one of the truly charming and distinctive features of Schenley Park. It encompasses history, art, and natural beauty all in one small area.

The memorial honoring inventor and industrialist George Westinghouse was financed by small contributions from almost 55,000 employees of the Westinghouse Corp. The memorial was dedicated in 1930 before a crowd of thousands, and the ceremony aired on KDKA as well as TV stations in Boston and Chicago.  

Architects Henry Hornbostel and Eric Fisherwood designed the monument and the surrounding landscape, including the pond, trees, and location of black granite benches. They chose sculptor Daniel Chester French to design the sculptures, including the bronze “American Youth,” which depicts a youth taking inspiration from Westinghouse and was described by art critics as “the finest portrayal of American boyhood.”

With such potential for beauty, it was disheartening in spring 2009 to discover an

eyesore: Water had drained from the pond, leaving behind leaves, sediment, and mud. Having reached the end of its useful life, the pond’s infrastructure had collapsed, with pipe, valve, basin, and water line failures all contributing to the unintended drainage.

Repairs done by the City’s Department of Public Works’ crew attempted to correct the problems, but the severe rainstorms of June 2009 caused another infrastructure failure. The City invested in an analysis and plan for restoration of the site commissioning landscape architect Missy Marshall of MTR Landscape Architects, LLC to produce a plan.

A complete restoration of the memorial area, including infrastructure, pond repairs, landscaping, and the memorial itself is estimated at $1.4 million. For more information or to contribute to this project, contact Richard Reed at 412-682-7275.

Board of Directors Alan AckermanDan Booker, ChairBrian BronaughLinda BurkeMeg Cheever, ex officioG. Reynolds Clark Ann DavisSusie DorranceCurt EllenbergHelen FaisonJeremy FeinsteinAudrey Hillman FisherBob HoytElise FrickVaughn GilbertEthel Olmsted HansenHarry HenningerDan Holthaus

Robbee KosakNancy Levine-ArnoldJohn P. Levis IIIDebra MeyerScarlet MorganGary MulhollandBrian MullinsMarlee S. MyersMildred S. MyersIllah R. NourbakhshJim RogalRitchie ScaifeTom SchmidtDianne SwanJerry VorosChristy WiegandMichael G. Zanic

Government Representatives:Luke Ravenstahl, Mayor, City of PittsburghDan Frankel, State RepresentativeNoor Ismail, Director of City Planning, City of PittsburghRob Kaczorowski, Director of Public Works, City of PittsburghMike Radley, Director of Parks and Recreation, City of

Pittsburgh

Mayor Luke Ravenstahl and Meg Cheever during the 15th Anniversary Dinner. Mayor Ravenstahl presented a proclamation declaring September 15, 2011 “Meg Cheever Day”.

Funding is needed to restore the Westinghouse Memorial and pond to their original charm and beauty.

(check out the concept drawing on page 8). Additionally, we just received word that Pennsylvania’s Department of Conservation and Natural Resources awarded funds to the City and County to battle outbreaks of oak wilt disease, the result of a grant request we helped them create and submit.

Park improvement projects are also community and economic development projects, so it makes sense that the improvements in our wonderful Pittsburgh public parks which we’ve been a part of in the last 15 years are the direct result of the strong and expanding public-private partnership we share with City, private funders, and local residents. All of those elements working in tandem can accomplish wonderful things for Pittsburgh and its people, and 2012 is shaping up to be a banner year for all involved. Thank you for being part of the team.

Spring 2012 Page 3

Plans are being finalized to restore and improve a McKinley Park entrance in the city’s Beltzhoover neighborhood at Amesbury Street and Delmont Avenue. The entrance area includes a parking lot that will be re-surfaced in part with porous asphalt—a first use of this innovative material in a City of Pittsburgh parking lot. This approach will contribute to the “greening” of the park and the neighborhood by increasing the absorption of stormwater into the ground. Rain gardens will be added to receive water from the parking lot, further enhancing the environmental benefits of the project and making the area more attractive as well. Historic details will be replicated in the planned repairs to a signature stone wall dating to the 1930s. An accessible walkway will be constructed from the street to the playground and community center, along with an extension to the basketball court.

The project design was unveiled at a public ceremony on April 12. “We wouldn’t be where we are today if it weren’t for their leadership in the public-private partnership that was created 15 years ago,” commented Mayor Luke Ravenstahl during the ceremony. “One thing important to me is to expand the work of the Pittsburgh Parks

Conservancy to get into more neighborhoods and do work in more parks like we have here in McKinley.”

By improving accessibility and saving an important historic feature, this project will help reconnect the park

to the community. The Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy and the landscape architecture firm Environmental Planning & Design

have worked closely with the community and the city to formulate these improvement plans for the entrance. The project is being managed by the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy in cooperation with the City of Pittsburgh and is being funded by a Pennsylvania Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP) grant awarded to the

Parks Conservancy. Additional funding is coming from the Birmingham Foundation and from City of Pittsburgh Community Development Block Grants. Also, a dozen individuals gave personal gifts to the project.

An integral part of the Beltzhoover neighborhood, McKinley Park is an historic 63-acre park. The lovely park has many large mature trees and extensive athletic facilities, but it needs considerable reinvestment. This is the first of what, it is hoped, will be many restoration projects in the park. The project is expected to be complete in 2012.

Rendering of proposed entrance to McKinley Park on Amesbury Street and Delmont Avenue

Parks are Free is an ongoing initiative designed to highlight Pittsburgh’s beautiful parks and the many free park activities that can lead to a healthier lifestyle.

Visit parksarefree.com for a list of free events.

Visit a park and be free to be yourself!

Plans Developed to Restore McKinley Park EntranceGreen infrastructure plans include a first in Pittsburgh

Carlos Peterson

The stone wall on Delmont Street was built in the 1930’s as part of a federally-supported Works Progress Administration project.

“One thing important to me is to expand the work

of the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy to get into more neighborhoods and do work

in more parks.”— Mayor Luke Ravenstahl

Page 4 the VOICE

John Altdorfer

Music, Festivals, Yoga Return to Schenley Plaza

The WYEP Summer Music Festival is one of the highlights of the Plaza season. This year’s festival is June 22.

Now in its seventh year, Schenley Plaza is once again bustling with activity as the weather turns warmer. Packed with entertaining - and free! – activities, we’re anticipating another stellar year for Oakland’s urban oasis.

Along with new restaurant The Porch at Schenley, a variety of food options are available at the kiosks. Lunchtime music returns on some weekdays, featuring sounds from Pittsburgh musicians ranging from jazz to piano to singer/songwriters. Local public radio station 91.3fm WYEP hosts a season of live music at Schenley Plaza, starting with the Live & Direct CD Release Party and continuing with Final Fridays from July through September. Always a highlight of the Plaza season, the WYEP Summer Music Festival kicks off on June 22, featuring a kids area and live performances from four local and national bands.

Kids Days will take place on the second Sunday of each month, with free activities and entertainment for our youngest visitors. Also returning this year is the International Children’s

Festival May 16 through 20, Squonk Opera performances in July and August, and the Pittsburgh Jazz Society Festival in September.

Along with the free music and activities, the Plaza will once again be home to free yoga classes on Mondays at noon and Saturdays at 10 a.m., thanks to our friends at Highmark. Classes start in June.

Of course, a visit to Schenley Plaza isn’t complete without a ride on the PNC Carousel! The carousel runs seven days a week until Maz Day on October 13, the magical date when the Pirates beat the Yankees in the 1960 World Series game on a Bill Mazeroski homerun. Carousel Family Season Passes are available for $25, allowing two adults and up to four children rides without tokens for the 2012 season. Passes can be purchased online at pittsburghparks.org/carouselpass.

The Schenley Plaza schedule is updated throughout the summer at pittsburghparks.org/schenley plaza. See you there!

Yoga at Schenley Plaza is made possible by Highmark. Mondays at 12 p.m., Saturdays at

10 a.m. starting in June

The vision for Schenley Plaza that has been in the works for more than a decade came to fruition when The Porch at Schenley opened its doors in November. With good weather, the restaurant’s outdoor porch seating overlooking the Plaza’s emerald lawn will be really popular. Executive Chef Kevin Hermann is looking forward to taking advantage of the beautiful outdoor space with cook-out style events. “Nothing’s set in stone, but some ideas have been clam bakes, ribs, and pig roasts,” he says. The Porch is open daily for a causal seat-yourself style lunch service of pizzas, salads, and sandwiches. At dinner it switches to full service and features an expanded menu.

For Chef Hermann, everything about The Porch is special. “It’s high quality food in a relaxed family atmosphere,” he says. “It’s like eating really great food at home.” Whether it’s a turkey sandwich at lunch with bread baked and turkey smoked on site, or scratch-made pizza dough that’s vying for the best in town, everything’s made in house. The Chef ’s favorite? If you twist his arm he’ll tell you it’s the Porchetta, featuring pork sausages he makes himself.

The restaurant is a collaboration between the Parks Conservancy and Eat ‘n Park Hospitality Group and was constructed specifically for Schenley Plaza with a seamless transition from building to open space. The

restaurant uses sustainable practices, locally sourced or scratch-made food, and a rooftop garden. The Porch will also provide a reliable revenue source to the Plaza.

To learn more about The Porch and to view the menu, visit them on the web at www.theporchatschenley.com or in person in Schenley Plaza on Fifth Avenue on the Hillman Library side.

The Porch at Schenley Offers Outdoor and Indoor Dining in the Park

Kathleen Gaines

The Porch at Schenley is open seven days a week for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Spring 2012 Page 5

The dedicated people who donate their time to volunteer help to keep our parks beautiful. In 2011, more than 1,500 volunteers worked in the parks, contributing more than 7,000 hours, a 75% increase in hours from 2010! These hard-working volunteers help us maintain and beautify our gardens, plant trees and shrubs, clean up illegal dumpsites, and improve our parks’ ecological health. From one-day events like the Panther Hollow Extravaganza to the long-term investments of the Urban EcoStewards, our volunteers:

• Participated in 75 work days • Planted 640 trees and shrubs, and more

than 1000 wildflowers

• Removed two tons of trash and scrap metal and nearly 250 tires from illegal dumpsites

• Helped control erosion on hillsides and trails

• Removed invasive species plants that threaten habitat and biodiversity

• Contributed more than 800 hours as Urban EcoStewards to improve the health and beauty of Pittsburgh’s green spaces

• Dedicated more than 1,300 hours of student service

Thank you, Volunteers!

Volunteer Hours Increase by 75% in 2011

May 24

Help tend the gardens at the Cliffside lot and playground. We’ll be weeding and watering the plots, removing brush, and cleaning up trash. —Cliffside Park, 4:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

June 2

Help clean up trash, tend the gardens and remove invasive species around Cliffside Park. —Cliffside Park, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

June 22

Join WYEP on the lawn at Schenley Plaza for an evening of family activities and live music at the WYEP Summer Music Festival. —Schenley Plaza, 4 p.m.

For more information and events, visit pittsburghparks.org

Calendar of Events and Volunteer Opportunities

With two successful years under our belts, the High School Urban EcoStewards program expanded this year into two additional schools, University Prep and Perry Traditional. The addition of these two schools allowed us to establish sites in each of the four regional parks. Throughout the school year, students adopt a quarter-acre of park land and visit their site six times in all seasons, using the park as a classroom to learn about environmental science. The students also reflect their observations through inquiry-based journaling, and participate in hands-on service learning through ecological

restoration activities. In 2011, students dedicated 1, 318 hours to our parks!Schools participating in the High School Urban EcoStewards program this year are:

• City Charter High School• The Ellis School• Perry Traditional Academy• Pittsburgh Milestones, University

Preparatory School• Pittsburgh Science and Technology

Academy• Westinghouse Academy (YMCA

Lighthouse)

High School Urban EcoStewards Program Expands

Students adopt a quarter-acre of park land and visit their site throughout the school year.

This year we welcomed Dee Abasute to our outreach programs. An Atlanta, GA native, Dee worked with the Parks Conservancy

through a program called Public Allies. Public Allies identifies diverse young adults and prepares them for leadership through 10 month full-time nonprofit apprenticeship and leadership training. Dee supervises the High School Urban EcoStewards program and assists with various outreach projects such as the Faison Elementary School Art Workshop. We’ll miss Dee when her placement ends in June.

Mellon Park, along with 14 private homeowner gardens in the Squirrel Hill and Shadyside neighborhoods, will be featured

in this year’s Town & Country Garden Tour on Sunday, June 24 to benefit

the Pittsburgh Botanic Garden. Garden owners and their designers/landscapers as well as knowledgeable docents will be at

each of the home gardens to provide insight into their creative landscape compositions

and answer guests’ questions.

For tickets and more information, call 412-444-4464 or visit

www.pittsburghbotanicgarden.org

Page 6 the VOICE

Our Invasive Advisor feature has always told you what to avoid planting on your property. But what should you cultivate, especially with so many current threats to common tree species? The Native Advisor will offer suggestions for trees and shrubs native to Pennsylvania that may be a great fit for your home.

Still curious about invasive plants? Download our invasive reference book at pittsburghparks.org/invasiveplants.

Native: Kentucky CoffeetreeWhere to Plant Them: Prefers deep, moist soil and is mostly unaffected by temperature, drought, insects, diseases, or road salt. It typically has a long life cycle and adapts well to urban environments. Fast-growing when young (reaches about 13 feet tall in ten years). Can grow to 60 or 70 feet tall.

Where to See Them: There are stands of coffee trees along the main walkway of the Frick Art & Historical Center, and in Schenley Park’s Bob O’Connor Golf Course, where Serpentine Drive meets Bartlett Street.

Appearance: Its compound leaves are the largest of any tree in eastern North America, and their late emergence in spring often outshines the tree’s small-petaled flowers. The female trees’ fruit takes the form of thick beanlike pods that often persist throughout the winter. Bark is rough and gray, often with deep furrows. The fairly small number of twigs on its branches (its name Gymnocladus means “naked branch”) gives it a striking winter profile.

Similar Tree: Honeylocust

Scientific name: Gymnocladus dioicus

Native Advisor

Melissa M

cMasters

Parks Conservancy Welcomes New Employees

Philosophy

Phil Gruszka, Director of Parks Management and Maintenance, talks about trees and managing the park environment.

If you have questions for Phil, please email info@pittsburghparks.org with “Phil” in the subject. We will do our best to address them.

Are all non-native plants harmful to the environment?

No. Only a small percentage of non-native plants become invasive. Those very few species that do become invasive cause incredible damage, but many non-natives work well if planted in the proper settings.

What are some non-natives that have worked well in the Pittsburgh parks?

When we restored the Mellon Park Walled Garden, we chose Japanese stewartia trees. Because these trees are small, have long lifespans, and produce showy flowers throughout the summer, they are perfect for a garden setting. It was a case of “the right tree in the right place.”

Another tree that works well in the parks is the sophora tree, which you can find in Schenley Park near the Westinghouse Memorial and near the Frick Environmental Center. Birds absolutely love the seeds of this tree, feasting during the winter months.

Isn’t it always preferable to plant natives?

Non-natives, planted in the proper place, help to increase biodiversity. From a forestry perspective, it’s not advisable for any one genus (such as Quercus, which contains roughly 600 species of oaks) to make up more than 20% of a forest. So a forest of 50% ash and 50% oaks, though they might all be native, would be extremely susceptible to threats affecting those two species. The greater the variety you have, the more resilient a forest is against threats.

In Pittsburgh, we always follow the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources’ list of invasive plants avoiding any plants shown to be invasive.

Stan Franzos

Kathleen Gaines

Kathleen joined the Parks Conservancy in 2011 as Development Associate. Her responsibilities include fundraising event coordination, appeal writing, assisting in grant research and writing, and making sure our Twitter, Facebook, and blog activities are fun, informative, and active.

Stan

Fran

zos

Jessica Romano

Jessica joined the staff in 2011 as Marketing & Communications Manager. She manages public and media relations, newsletters and other print communications. Her responsibilities include creating and maintaining community partnerships and producing outreach events for the Parks Conservancy.

Stan

Fran

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Taiji Nelson

Taiji recently joined the Parks Conservancy as Education Program Coordinator, after serving 10 months as a Student Conservation Association (SCA) Green Cities Fellow. Taiji facilitates the Urban EcoStewards partnership, works with middle and high school students through the Mission Ground Truth and High School Urban EcoStewards programs, and organizes public volunteer and education programs.

Holly Stayton

Holly joined the staff in 2012 as eCommerce Development Officer. She manages the overall online presence of the Parks Conservancy and online gift tracking. Her responsibilities include website content management and coordination of our blog, social media and e-newsletters.

Spring 2012 Page 7

The Parks Conservancy welcomes our new Board Chair. Dan Booker is is a partner at Reed Smith LLP who twice served on the Parks Conservancy Board before assuming the Chair. He also currently serves as Co-Chair for the Committee for Mellon Square.

Why do you support the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy?

Parks are a core contributor to our quality of life here in Pittsburgh. And quality of life in turn is crucial to the competitiveness of our region. To me,

protecting, improving, and advocating for the parks is a very important thing to do for the welfare of our region. We expect Pittsburgh to live up to its growing reputation as a world class place, and part of that is to make our parks world class. The Conservancy has been a very powerful and significant key to making sure the parks are moving in that direction.

In what way are our City’s parks important to our community?

Parks Conservancy President and founder, Meg Cheever, often says that the parks are our most democratic spaces. They are there for everybody to enjoy, and they give us a shared community experience. I think that’s a very important insight. Having abundant high quality places we all share and where we all have fun enhances our sense of community, and reflects the kind of open society we want to have.

Which is your favorite of Pittsburgh’s parks and why?

I have to confess that Schenley Park is is my favorite, although it’s hard to pick because my neighborhood park is Mellon Park and my family has used it almost daily for many years. We also use Frick Park often. But I say Schenley because my connections to it go back to when I was a college student living in Oakland. I feel that I know every ravine, nook, cranny, and trail from years of running there, playing softball, golfing, visiting the Phipps, or of taking my kids to skate or play soccer. And Schenley Plaza is a very sweet icing on the cake.

Which of our projects is your favorite and why?

As Chairman of the Committee for Mellon Square, I should say the Square restoration. And since I hope it will be the signature achievement of my tenure as Chairman, perhaps I should say the Frick Environmental Center. Both of these projects are very significant. But my favorite project is the one we haven’t yet identified. I think it’s our function at the Conservancy to help the City and the local communities figure out what’s important in each of the parks. To me, what’s next and new is most interesting.

Board Spotlight: Dan Booker, Chair

Mary Jane Bent

“My favorite project is the one

we haven’t yet identified.”

We urge you to consult with your legal and financial advisors to assist you in arranging the best method of contributing. The Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy is tax-exempt under Section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue

Service Code. Contributions to the Parks Conservancy are tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law.

Make a BequestYou can give to the Parks Conservancy during your lifetime or under the terms of your will. To learn more about how you can support the Parks Conservancy through planned giving, please call Laurie Anderson at (412) 682-7275 x213.

Thanks to a generous grant from the Alcoa Foundation, 250 trees will be

planted this year in Riverview Park and Allegheny Commons on the Northside. The trees will help improve urban forest

health of the two areas, and replace dead or dying trees.

The trees will be planted during three volunteer days in 2012. Visit pittsburghparks.org/volunteerdays

to see the schedule.

To learn more about threats to our park woodlands, visit

pittsburghparks.org/trees

Donate to the Tree Fund pittsburghparks.org/donate

Alcoa Foundation Awards Grant for New Park Trees

Bohlin Cywinski Jackson

Community Feedback Shapes Design of Proposed Environmental Center at Frick Park

Mar

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Money needs to be raised and legal agreements negotiated before any construction to rebuild the Environmental Center at Frick Park can begin.  But, the design phase of the project is nearing completion. The design of the new Environmental Center is taking shape, thanks to a dedicated and experienced design team, a great deal of input from the community, and a strong partnership between the City of Pittsburgh and the Parks Conservancy. Representatives from Citiparks, the Department of Public Works, and City Planning are working alongside Parks Conservancy staff to ensure that the plans for the new Center serve the needs of a diverse cross-section of city residents, restore the historic landscape, and meet the highest level of green design. In 2011, more than 300 community members, children, and program partners met with the design team in a series of interactive community meetings and small group dialogues. The comments and ideas from the public meetings are informing the design process.

Meetings ranged from focus groups to hands-on design workshops. In Frick Park, participants toured the site of the new Center and perused concept designs and models and then shared their ideas and visions for the project. Children from two local schools used images and journals to express their aspirations for the Center. The children built inspired models for the first outdoor learning space for Frick Park, “Kate and Peter’s Treehouse.” Program partners from non-profits and agencies joined focus groups and brainstorming discussion sessions of the needs for the Center, and interviews with residents were held at several local neighborhood centers and parks.

With great feedback, ideas, and knowledge gained from the meetings, the design team is working towards completing construction documents this year.

A joint project of the City of Pittsburgh and the Parks Conservancy, the newly envisioned Environmental Center plans to offer expanded urban environmental education programming for camp and school groups, as well as families and individuals, and to serve as the hub for park volunteer activities and community outreach programs. The educational facility will be approximately 12,000 square feet and include multiple flexible indoor learning spaces, offices, resource room, reception area, public restrooms, and storage and other support facilities.

“The Environmental Center will represent the best of what the City of Pittsburgh and the Parks Conservancy can accomplish as partners. We will be able to reach more people with environmental education programs – and be doing it in a state of the art green facility,” says Citiparks Director Mike Radley.

Stay current with the project at pittsburghparks.org/environmentalcenter

and learn more about the Treehouse at pittsburghparks.org/naturespace.

Rendering of proposed Environmental Center

Children from two local schools used images and journals to share their ideas about the new Environmental Center.

The design team for the new Environmental Center consists of:Architecture/Interior Design: Bohlin Cywinski Jackson, PittsburghLandscape Architecture/ Site Planning: LaQuatra Bonci Associates, PittsburghCost Estimating: Crawford Consulting Services, PittsburghCivil Engineering: HF Lenz, Pittsburgh and Johnstown, PAStructural Engineering: Barber + Hoffman of Cranberry, PAPrincipal Artist: Stacy Levy of Spring Mills, PA Innovation/Environmental Research: Carnegie Mellon University’s Bio_Logic Research Group Environmental Design/Lighting Design: Atelier Ten, New Haven, CTMechanical Engineering: RAM-TECH Engineers, Buffalo, NY Storm water Management: Nitsch Engineering of Boston, MA