Off-leash dogs a concern on trailsThe parks are lovely, and I really do enjoy them – but something must

be done to enforce the leash laws on the trails, particularly in Schenleyand Frick parks! From my estimation more than half of the many userswho walk their dogs have them running free. This is a potentially dan-gerous situation and has caused discomfort for many others. Dog own-ers and runners would like to see something done about it.Donna NaplesShadyside

Finding a Friend in the ParkIn September of 1931, our family moved from a home surrounded by

many acres of land and woods. We were a family of 10 children fromage 18 ready to go into college with the youngest being six months ofage. Our new home in the Highland Park area had a handkerchief-sizedyard. Highland Park became our refuge and lifted our spirits. We allloved it. It was indeed a friend we needed.Jeanne A. ShafferHighland Park

Thanks from Highland Park Community Please thank all of the workers, volunteers, and the Pittsburgh Parks

Conservancy staff for the efforts to keep the water flowing in HighlandPark!

The PPC is making the parks quite an asset to the city and entireregion. I get comments from many people about the changes to the Parkand how much they like it.

Keep up the good work, and keep us informed of what is happeningand what the community can do to keep the parks looking great.Bob Starseniz, PresidentHighland Park Community Club, Inc.

Looking forward to Schenley PlazaIt is with great pleasure that I contribute to the Schenley Plaza

Campaign. What a wonderful way to honor my family [by buying anengraved brick].

Having grown up in Greenfield, my family and I spent many a summerday enjoying Schenley Park and Panther Hollow Lake and the boat-house in winter.

I have worked at the University of Pittsburgh William Pitt Union for33 years and am happy to see the additional green space added to theOakland area.

I look forward to having lunch in the new plaza. Keep up the goodwork!Christine A. ChergiPoint Breeze

For more information on how you can support Schenley Plaza throughother sponsorship opportunities see page 3 of The Voice.

There are two things that drive theParks Conservancy: first, our mis-sion to restore Pittsburgh’s parks so

that residents have urban green space toenjoy, advocate and steward. The second?Funding.

Without it we don’t have the resources toachieve our park restoration goals. That’swhy we are thrilled to report that we havebeen awarded $3 million in federal fundingto implement our comprehensive park signprogram and trail restoration.

On behalf of the PPC and its membership,I am tremendously grateful for the efforts

of Congressman Mike Doyle and Senator Arlen Spector in securingthese funds. Thanks to their efforts, PPC can move forward next yearto install new park signs and restore miles of trails.

New signs and trail restoration will provide every park-user anenhanced outdoor experience.

Even though we have created park maps to direct users to amenitiesand trails, many people have told us that they are still hesitant to usethe parks since there is nothing in the park to help direct them throughthe trails and to the amenities. We are pleased to make the parks morewelcoming with an array of handsome new signs (see page 5 for

image of sign prototype).The sign program will have many purposes. Way-finding signs will

direct visitors to park amenities, trail markers will label trails and markdistances, information kiosks will display park maps and provide alocation for public announcements, and interpretative panels will pro-vide interesting facts on park history and ecology.

Trail restoration work will help improve the current network of trailsand make it sustainable. Trails currently eroding in Frick Park willbecome stable biking and hiking paths. Highland Park’s limited trailsystem will expand. Crumbling, historic bridges in Schenley Park willbe repaired. Access will be enhanced in Riverview Park for the soon-to-be restored Chapel Shelter.

But the implementation of our sign program and trail restoration, isonly the first step in achieving our mission. The lasting social impactof these projects is where we achieve our greatest success. A new constituency of park-users will be armed with information and a senseof empowerment to discover Pittsburgh’s green spaces. Thousands ofwalkers, joggers and bikers will be encouraged to explore.

Park-users like you will have better opportunities for healthy recreation, reflection and reprieve.

But please don’t wait to explore Pittsburgh’s parks. This is the seasonto enjoy the landscape teeming with fall color. We welcome you toappreciate our parks.

Letters To The Editor

MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT

Page 2 Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy NewsletterR

icha

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elly

We want your feedback. The Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy welcomes letters to the editor. Letters may be edited. All submissions become theproperty of the PPC. Please send them to: The Voice, 2000 Technology Drive, Suite 300, Pittsburgh, PA 15219.(see below for information on how to win a free lunch at the Visitor Center.)

The HighlandPark fountaincontinues to runthrough the endof October at theHighland Avenueentrance.

The Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy wants to hear your stories andcomments on the park. Write in your:

• favorite park experience this summer;• favorite spot in the four regional parks;

• what you remember in the park but is no longer there;• how we could make the parks a better place.

All responses will be entered in a drawing to win a free lunch atthe Schenley Park Visitor Center. A selection of the stories will bepublished on this page.Email your responses to: aenz@pittsburghparks.orgor mail them with your contact information to: 2000 TechnologyDrive, Suite 300, Pittsburgh, PA, 15219.

Win a free lunch at the Schenley Park Visitor Center

Schenley Plaza Construction Nears Completion Grand Opening Slated for SpringBy Amy Ripley

By the end of November, major construc-tion of Schenley Plaza is expected to becomplete and Oakland residents and visi-

tors can look forward to a vibrant public spaceopening in spring.

Schenley Plaza, formerly a parking lot betweenthe Carnegie and Hillman Libraries along ForbesAvenue, has been reclaimed as the grandentrance to Schenley Park and will reopen as apublic green space offering food, entertainmentand a respite from Oakland’s urban bustle.

Construction fences will remain in placethrough winter to protect freshly laid sod andflower bulbs. Final garden plantings and installa-tion of finishing touches, including most signs,

are scheduled for March.Modeled after the enormously

successful Bryant Park in NewYork City, which draws thousandsof people each day with an arrayof food and programmingoptions, Schenley Plaza willreflect and serve Oakland’s diversity.

“Oakland is a cultural meltingpot and the Plaza will be no different,” said Meg Cheever,Pittsburgh Parks Conservancypresident. “You’ll see students ontheir laptops using the free wire-less. You’ll see professionals eat-ing lunch on the lawn. You’ll seechildren on the PNC carousel and

tourists admiring the formal gardens. It will bethe place to go for people-watching.”

Four food kiosks have been constructed andwill offer a variety of fare from local vendors.Ongoing leisure, educational and entertainmentprogramming will be a significant draw to visi-tors looking for music, children’s activities andoutdoor theater.

“This is the signature project for the revitalizationof Oakland,” said Renny Clark, chair of theOakland Task Force and vice chancellor of theUniversity of Pittsburgh.

“Once complete, the space will be used by theentire community including the residents ofOakland, students and visitors to the region.”

“It will always be a visual representation ofwhat we can achieve when we work togethercollectively. No one person can take credit forthis project that will greatly improve the qualityof life in Oakland,” Clark said.

Partners in the Schenley Plaza restorationinclude the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy,Oakland Investment Committee of the AlleghenyConference on Community Development, theOakland Taskforce, the City of Pittsburgh andthe Commonwealth of PA.

Original artwork inspired by Frick,Highland, Riverview and Schenleyparks are now on exhibit and for

sale at Concept Gallery in Regent Square(1031 S. Braddock Avenue) throughOctober 23. Twenty-five local artists creat-ed these works for Art of the Park, a newevent for the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancyto aid park awareness and restoration.

The Patron Preview included a receptionat the gallery and private dinners with theartists in park-supporters’ homes. All ticketproceeds benefited the PPC.

Learn more about the artists and theirwork on October 6 during a lunchtime lec-ture at the Schenley Park Visitor Center.(See page 8 for details.)

Fifteen percent of art sales benefit thePPC. For more information contact Concept Gallery at 412-242-9200.

Page 3Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy Newsletter

Art of the Park Exhibit Opens at Concept Gallery in Regent Square

“Trail at Frick Park” by AaronelGruber. These two pieces are justa glimpse of the artwork that iscurrently on display at theConcept Gallery in Regent Squarethrough October 23.

The PPC would like to thank:

• Michael Maskarinec, co-curator, creative director of WQED

• Sam Berkovitz, co-curator, owner and director of Concept Gallery

• Tim and Linda Burke, event co-chairs

• Dinner hosts• 25 of Pittsburgh’s finest artists

“Riverview Park in Autumn” by Charlie Pitcher

The newly planted rows of tiarella and heuchera ground cover, whichare both native to Pennsylvania, were recently planted at the plaza.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON DONOR

RECOGNITION OPPORTUNITIES IN

SCHENLEY PLAZA AND THE FOUR

REGIONAL PARKS CALL

412-682-7275

Plaza SponsorshipOpportunities Available

CHAIR $175 (with nameplate)

ENGRAVED BRICK $250GARDEN BED $1,200–$10,000

(with plaque)

BENCH $10,000 (with plaque)

CAROUSEL ANIMAL $20,000(with plaque)

The exhibit includes works from:

Sue AbramsonBob Bowden Charlee Brodskywith Jane McCafferty

Ron DonougheAaronel GruberClyde HareJane HaskellRichard KellyMichael MaskarinecCliff McGillMark MentzerKaren Meyers

Jim NelsonBill PfahlCharlie PitcherBob QualtersBob RaczkaGordon RosenthalJoe SeamansBarry ShieldsRichard StonerMichael M. StrueberBill VrscakPaul WeigmanArmand Wright

s

s

Q: What are your responsibilities as the Director of Citiparks?A: As Director of the Department of Parks and Recreation, otherwise known as Citiparks, my duties include thesupervision, equipping, operation and care of parks, forestry, playfields, gymnasiums, swimming pools, indoorrecreation facilities and other facilities as City Council may direct. However, in practice, the supervision and man-agement of parks, forestry, and playfields has been under the administration of the Department of Public Workssince the early 1990’s.

Q: What parks does Citiparks work in?A: The City of Pittsburgh is blessed with an abundance of parks, parklets, and green spaces situated within the90+ city neighborhoods. In an effort to provide safe, accessible, and fun-filled activities for our residents, ourapproach is to diversify our resources without diminishing quality. For instance, our Roving Art Cart serves morethan 50 neighborhoods during the summer with the majority of these sessions held in park areas. If you count thenumerous city-wide athletic competitions, concerts, educational programs, events and community services, there’shardly a park area in the entire network that doesn’t host a Citiparks’ event.

Q: What are your most popular programs?A: Our flagship programs include The Great Race, Cinema in the Parks, Farmers’ Markets, Bach, Beethoven & Brunch, BIG League and our Senior Games.

Q: Do you have anything new in the works for the 2006 programming calendar?A: Hopefully we can make it through the budget process without a loss of additional resources. If this occurs we can, at a minimum, provide a sustainable level of service next year. However, one new initiative might be a joint venture with Point Park University that will afford middle-schoolyouth the opportunity to attend a summer-long camp. Also, we will most likely produce activities surrounding the 2006 Major League Baseball All-Star Game.

Q: The Citiparks Department also runs a number of recreational facilities. What are the most popular?A: Our most popular recreational facilities are the swimming pools, tennis and basketball courts and lastly, the ballfields. We have made tremendousstrides in constructing a variety of non-traditional assets such as skateparks, an indoor tennis dome, a cycling course, and both walking and competi-tive tracks. Although we are not directly responsible for our trail system, I would be remiss to not mention the extraordinary efforts of our Mayor increating and enhancing many new miles of trail development throughout the city.

Q: What would you like to do but you don’t have the resources for?A: Well… if you happen to have a few millions lying around, I would very much like to construct the first public “family aquatic center.” Barringthat happening, I would settle for significant funding to support the construction of one or two sports turf fields in the city.

Q: Where can people find more information on Citiparks programming and events?A: Our very popular Citiparks summer magazine is an invaluable resource guide for programs, events and facilities. You can also access our web site,which includes a downloadable version of the magazine atwww.city.pittsburgh.pa.us/parks or call 412-255-2359.

Q: How did you get involved in the Citiparks Department?A: After my aspiration of becoming a gym teacher and coach in the publicschool system didn’t pan out, I sought employment with the City’s Departmentof Parks and Recreation’s Open Schools Program during the late 1970’s. Iinstructed tennis and power volleyball.

Page 4 Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy Newsletter

Duane Ashley Discusses Citiparks Programming

Duane Ashley, director of the City’sDepartment of Parks and Recreation.

Thank You, Volunteers!

Carnegie Mellon University 240 hours of work

Schenley Park – removed invasive plants, stabilized slopesand recreated trail edge at Westinghouse Pond

Robert Morris University400 hours of work

Schenley Park – removed invasive plants and planted treesin Phipps Run

Junior League72 hours of work

Schenley Park – clean-up and invasive plant removal aroundWestinghouse Pond

Student Conservation AssociationAppx. 7,000 hours of work

Frick, Highland, Riverview and Schenley park – High school students worked to rebuild trails, create new

trails and remove invasive plants

Urban EcoStewards90 hours of work

Frick, Highland, Riverview and Schenley park – 34 stewardsmaintained 31 acres of park land

Park Docents150 hours of work

Led park walks on a weekly basis through Frick, Highland,Riverview and Schenley parks.

Pittsburgh Park Conservancy volunteers have been hardat work helping to restore our parks. Here’s what ourvolunteers have been doing:

THE GARDEN CLUB OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY PRESENTS

The Tenth Anniversary of

AT THE FOX CHAPEL GOLF CLUB • 426 FOX CHAPEL ROAD

Lunch available by reservation

For Information please call 412-963-8217

THURSDAY OCTOBER 20, 2005

9:30 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.

FRIDAY OCTOBER 21, 2005

9:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Funds from Pizzazz support the Garden Club’s Community projects.

“Pittsburgh’s Premier Shopping Opportunity”

30 Boutiques from across the country

0505009_PizzazzAd_C 7/28/05 12:21 PM Page 1

Citiparks Regional Park Fall Activities

Frick Environmental Center Activities:Bump in the Night 7-9 pmOctober 14, 15, 21, & 22 $6/adult ($5 for members) $4/child ($4 for members)

Highland Park Farmers’ MarketThursdays from 3:30 to 7:30 p.m. through November 16

Pittsburgh Zoo lower parking lot at Butler and Baker StreetCall 412-255-2359 for more information.

Volunteer Days(for children 8+)

SaturdaysOctober 8

November 19

including the Pittsburgh Parks

Page 5Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy Newsletter

Common name:Porcelainberry

Scientific name:Ampelopsis brevipedunculata

Origin: China, Korea,Japan and Russia.Porcelainberry was origi-nally cultivated as a bedding and landscape plant.

Threat: This climbing vine shades out native shrubs and young trees. Theseeds of porcelainberry germinate readily in the soil after natural or humandisturbance.

Habitat: Porcelainberry occurs from New England to North Carolina andwest to Michigan. It grows well in most soils, especially in pond margins,stream banks, thickets and waste places, where there is full sunlight to partialshade, and where it is not permanently wet.

Size: Vines grow to heights of 15 to 20 feet.Identifying characteristics: Porcelainberry is a deciduous, woody, perenni-

al vine of the grape family that climbs by tendrils that grow opposite theleaves on the stem. It has alternating leaves with coarsely toothed edges thatvary from slightly lobed to deeply dissected. Small, greenish-white flowersappear in clusters in summer. Berries appear in the fall, ranging in color fromwhite to yellow, to shades of green, lilac, purple, turquoise and sky blue.

Look-alikes: Native grape species and several native species of AmpelopsisControl techniques: Hand pruning in the fall or spring will prevent flower

buds from forming the following season. Vines on trees can be cut to preventseed formation and further damage to trees. Systemic herbicides are alsoeffective.

Native alternatives: Virgin’s bower, trumpet creeper, trumpet honeysuckleSource: www.nps.gov/plants/alien/pubs/midatlantic/ambr.htm

Second of a SeriesThe Invasive Advisor

Invasive plants are choking out the biodiversity of our natural areas – even inour own back yards. These invasive, non-native plants are not part of our orig-inal habitat, but were introduced from other countries, often for gardens andlandscaping. With few or no natural enemies, you can now see these plantstaking over entire landscapes like roadsides, disturbed woodlands and ourparks.Help us fight the battle! Learn to recognize and control invasive species by

reading this column and by picking up Plant Invaders of Mid-Atlantic NaturalAreas at the Schenley Park Visitor Center. ($4.00, published by the NationalPark Service and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service)

The berries of Porcelainberryturn bright purple, blue and

teal in the fall.

This edition: Porcelainberry

Invasive Plant Experts Work to Boost Biodiversity in ParksBy Jason Witmer

Invasive Plant Control, Inc. has been workingclosely with the Pittsburgh ParksConservancy staff to target project areas

which have hard to eliminate patches of inva-sive plants. Invasive plants are not native to anarea and pose a problem because they take overhabitat and limit the growth of native species.They often come from other countries and growrapidly in a region because they have no naturalpredators.

“It’s so hard to control these species,” said LeePatrick, the vice president of Invasive PlantControl Incorporated. “Eventually they startpopulating an area and you lose all your biodi-versity. Invasive plants are now the number-onecause for loss of biodiversity, eclipsing habitatloss by development.”

Mary Beth Steisslinger, the restoration coordi-nator for the PPC, says they are tackling this

problem in a number of ways. “One of our ulti-mate goals is to improve the biodiversity of theparks,” said Steisslinger. “We’re trying to createthe best level of habitat we possibly can forbirds and other species.” Many of the PPC’svolunteer days and programs are geared towardremoval of these plants through mechanicalmethods.

Manual removal, however, is costly and laborintensive. Certain species such as mile-a-minute, purple loosesfrife, knotweed and porce-lain berry are almost impossible to remove bystrictly mechanical means. In these cases herbi-cides are more effective.

“In my experience, when used appropriately,herbicides can be a very effective tool, amongothers, in restoring natural areas,” saidSteisslinger. Many of the areas that are being treated, such

as Panther Hollow in Schenley Park and theBabbling Brook in Highland Park, have alreadyhad many of the invasives removed by volun-teers, but there are still areas where the invasiveplants continue to return.

“We have a choice of the lesser of two evils,”said Patrick. “Do you want a landscape populat-ed by only one species or do you want to use anherbicide which will leave the ecosystem in acouple of weeks? Invasives don’t leave in acouple of weeks.”

Herbicides kill invasive species more quicklyand with less labor. They also kill the plantcompletely, whereas manual removal oftenleaves the root and the plant will grow back.

Steisslinger noted that one of the best ways forthe public to help is in their own yards.Removing invasive plant species, and plantingnatives will limit the spread of harmful species.

urban parks. The hun-dreds of trails that lacethrough park wood-lands and meadowswill also be restored,enhancing capitalimprovements alreadymade by the City andPPC.

“The Pittsburgh ParksConservancy is enor-mously grateful toCongressman Doyleand Senator Specterfor recognizing theimportance of urbanparks to the quality oflife of the region,” saidPPC President Meg

Cheever. “We are very fortunate to have received a generousgrant from the Buhl Foundation to fund the conceptual designof our signage program,” she said. “Now, because of theefforts of Congressman Doyle and Senator Specter, we canimplement the plan almost immediately.”

The park signs will provide visitors directions to buildingsand trails, post park rules and regulations, and convey infor-mation on park history, attractions, flora and fauna.

Schenley Plaza, which opens this spring in Oakland, will bethe first space to feature the new signs. Riverview will be thenext park to receive signs as part of the Chapel Shelterrestoration.

PPC is currently working with Kolano Design to finalizesign locations throughout the regional park system.

“We in the City are proud to have initiated the public-privatepartnership with the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy to improveand restore our four largest historic parks,” said Mayor TomMurphy. “I am delighted that we have received this generousfederal help to move our restoration plans along.”

The comprehensive sign program and trail restorations areexpected to take several years to complete.

FEDERAL FUNDS, FROM PAGE 1

A preview of what the interperativepanels will look like.

365.Madcap Masquerade tickets are $250 per person, which

includes dinner, drinks, valet and admission to After Nine.Tickets for the late-night, After Nine are $65. After October 14and at the door, admission is $275 and $75, respectively.Tickets can be purchased through ProArts Tickets atwww.proarts.org or 412-394-3353.

More information is available by contacting the Conservancy

MADCAP, FROM PAGE 1

Pedestrians and bikers in Highland Park arenow able to travel more easily through theentirety of Highland Park, thanks to a new

half-mile trail constructed by volunteers this summer.

A six-person crew from the StudentConservation Association (SCA), a nationalorganization that engages young people in hands-on conservation projects, worked for one monthto construct the new environmentally sensitivetrail, which connects Reservoir Drive to the lowerpart of the park near the pool and Lake Carnegie.

“It was the first job for many on my crew, andthe Park Foreman, Damon Blankenship, madesure that they understood that this was a real job,where the community counted on the quality ofwork,” said Haruna Madono, a first-time SCAcrew leader. “The Department of Public Worksstaff also came by several times during the sum-mer to encourage the crew.”

On a daily basis crews did very labor intensivework such as cutting a trail into a slope, movingsoil, and removing invasive plants to create a trailwith slopes that would hold up to heavy traffic.

“Each year the group seems to improve,” saidBlankenship. This is the third year he has workedwith the SCA crews.Additional SCA crews worked throughout the

four regional parks this summer, building trails,removing invasive plants and working to improvethe parks. There were nine crews working inHighland, Schenley, Riverview and Frick parks torestore trails and native plant habitat.

“The crews in Highland Park had an incrediblework ethic,” Blakenship said. “They did a greatjob and managed to get through projects that wewould not have had time for this season.”

The SCA’s work helped the PPC and City movecloser to achieving a goal of the Regional ParksMaster Plan – improving the trail infrastructure inHighland Park.

Visitors can access the new trail entrance atReservoir Drive, near the Babbling Brook.

Page 6 Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy Newsletter

Meg CheeverPresident and CEO

Debbie BeckChief Financial Officer

Philip J. GruszkaDirector of ParkManagement and

Maintenance Policies

Jessica ToddDevelopment Coordinator

Alice EnzProject Manager

Amy Ripley Projects Coordinator

Mary Beth SteisslingerRestoration Coordinator

Brandi FergelecSchenley Park Visitor Center

Beth BodamerAdministrative Assistant

Gudrun WellsVolunteer Education

Coordinator

Pittsburgh Parks

Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy2000 Technology Drive, Suite 300Pittsburgh, PA 15219412-682-PARK (7275)www.pittsburghparks.org

As part of the landscape overhaul atRiverview Park’s Chapel Shelter, about 30percent of the area’s invasive tree population

has been removed, dramatically changing the wood-ed area.

“The landscape was so overrun with invasive treesthat we ended up marking the ones we wanted tokeep, rather than the ones we wanted to remove,”said Phil Gruszka, Pittsburgh Parks Conservancydirector of parks management and maintenance.

The invasive Siberian elms and Norway mapleswere over-shading the landscape, inhibiting biodi-versity and growth of native plant species. Theirremoval is part of PPC’s sixth capital showcase proj-ect, the restoration of the Chapel Shelter. The shelteris Riverview Park’s feature picnic pavilion that hasbeen closed for more than 2 years because of deteri-oration.

New native trees, including Linden, Sugar maplesand Oaks are being planted, though further awayfrom the Chapel Shelter than the previous tree line,so that they won’t compete with the new flower bedsand landscaping, Gruzska said.

Plans include restoration of a historic lilac collec-tion that was originally part of a formal garden dur-ing the turn of the century. “This collection will bere-established as a principle feature of the land-scape,” Gruzska said. “After the restoration thewhole area will look much more park-like.”

Other landscape features include re-planting of his-toric iris beds throughout the site and trail restora-tion to improve accessibility to the pool andSnyder’s Point, a natural area that has a re-estab-lished view of the Ohio River.

The project also includes the creation of an entrydrive and 15-car parking area that will accommodategroups renting the facility once it reopens.While funding is pending to complete the landscap-

ing, Gruszka said PPC staff, the City Department ofPublic Works and volunteers have made greatprogress on preliminary work.

Construction on the building is slated to begin inlate fall, according to Bruce Padolf of the CityEngineering Department. The Chapel Shelter will berebuilt, copying the building’s original design fromthe late 1800s.

Riverview Park Landscape Changed DramaticallyBy Amy Ripley

Phil Gruzska (right) works with members ofthe Riverview Park crew David Lex (left) andEddie Harrison (middle) to plant new, nativetrees behind the Chapel Shelter.

New Trail in Highland Park: SCA Student Crews Volunteer Labor By Alice Enz

Hal

ey M

iller

SCA crew in Highland Park.

FALL FOLIAGE OF SOUTHWESTERN PENNSYLVANIA

Where and when can I see the best fall color?In Pittsburgh’s parks you can see the entire autumn palette, but in particular, thewooded trails in Frick (Tranquil Trail) and Riverview (Observatory or Snyder’s PointLoop Trail) parks are canopied by spectacular color.

Fall’s peak is usually the middle two weeks of October in Western Pennsylvania.Cooler, high elevations will show color before valleys. To stay updated with fall colorreports, you can log onto www.fallinpa.com or call the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture’s FallFoliage Hotline at 1-800-354-4595.

Can autumn leaf color help me identify trees?Yes. Characteristically, oaks turn red, brown or russet; hickories, golden bronze; dog-wood, purplish red; beech, light tan; red maples, scarlet; sugar maple, orange-red;some trees, like elms, show little or no color with their leaves turning brown, shrivel-ing and falling.

Source: www.fallinpa.com, Northeastern Area of USDAForest Service atwww.na.fs.fed.us/spfo/pubs/misc/leaves/leaves.htm

Liz StyleDocent Coordinator

A special thanks to board member Marc Jampole for hiscontinued editorial assistance with The Voice.

David Lex passed away in September of2005. A memorial tree will be planted in

his memory near the Wissahickon building in Riverview park.

Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy Newsletter Page 7

Parks are Resourcesfor Area Teachers

Teachers wanting to give their students hands-onlearning experience discovered in a week-longsummer workshop how the parks can function as

classrooms in a week-long summer workshop.During the Pittsburgh Environmental Teaching

Workshop, teachers visited all four regional parks, theCCI Center and “green” facilities to learn about environmental education standards and topics such aswatersheds, built environments, environmental law, andrenewable and non-renewable resources.

Teachers developed a plan for incorporating the materials and activities into their curricula and earnedAct 48 credits for participating.

The teaching workshop is part of the Pittsburgh ParksConservancy’s education programs and is a collaborationwith members of the Green Education Movement.

For information on next summer’s course, contactGudrun Wells at the PPC at 412-682-7275.

LIVE M USIC THIS FALLSundays in the ParkSchenley Park Visitor Center, Noon – 3 p.m.

Live outdoor music, kids crafts in the café, park walks at 1 p.m.

Bill Howard’s All-Starz jazz band

Jazz quartet featuring

saxophonist Don Aliquo

Brad Yoder & Jason Rafalak play original

acoustic folk and rock

Bluegrass and Indie folk with Boca Chica

Jazz and blues featuring

Clair Ascani

October 2

October 9

October 16

October 23

October 30

Schedule subject to change • 412-687-1800www.pittsburghparks.org/visitorcenter

WWAALLKKSS IINN TTHHEE

FFrreeee aanndd ooppeenn ttoo tthhee ppuubblliicc

For more information call 412-682-7275

OOccttoobbeerrWWeeddnneessddaayyss aatt 66::3300 pp..mm..

55tthh:: Highland Park Entry Garden1122tthh:: Frick Environmental Center

1199tthh:: Riverview Park main entrance2266tthh:: Schenley Park Visitor Center

SSuunnddaayyss aatt 11 pp..mm..99tthh,, 1166tthh,, 2233rrdd,, 3300tthh:: Schenley Park Visitor Center

NNoovveemmbbeerrSSaattuurrddaayy,, 55tthh,, 11::3300 Highland Park Entry Garden

DDeecceemmbbeerrSSaattuurrddaayy,, 33rrdd,, 11::3300 Frick Environmental Center

JJaannuuaarryySSaattuurrddaayy 77tthh,, 11::3300 Riverview Park main entrance

FFeebbrruuaarryySSaattuurrddaayy,, 44tthh,, 11::3300 Schenley Park Visitor Center

MMaarrcchhSSaattuurrddaayy,, 44tthh,, 11::3300 Highland Park Entry Garden

AApprriillSSaattuurrddaayy,, 11sstt,, 11::3300 Frick Environmental Center

The Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy offers thesewalks, which rotate through the CityÕs fourRegional ParksÐ Highland, Frick, Riverview andSchenley. Join us to learn some of the trails,plants and wildlife of our urban parks.

City Theatre presentsCROWNS

September 22 – October 16, 2005

A cast of nine, including Etta Cox and Maria Becoates Bey, tell stories, sing, andwear fabulous hats in this play about the rituals of preparing for and going to Sundaychurch service, and how to live life with “hattitude.”

By Regina TaylorAdapted from the bestselling bookBy Michael Cunninghamand Craig Marberry

Wear your “crown” to anyshow and get a Sweet Teafor free.

Performances:Tuesdays at 7 pm,Wednesdays through Fridays at 8 pm, Saturdays at 5:30 and 9 pmSundays at 2 pm.

Tickets $15 - $40.

For tickets or information, call 412.431.CITY or visit CityTheatreCompany.org.

CROWNS

SAVE THE DATE MAY 6, 2006FOR THE PITTSBURGH PARKS CONSERVANCY SPRING HAT LUNCHEON

As part of the course, 19 local educators spent a day withthe Frick Environmental Center staff, working with childrenon an ecological restoration project.

In the upcoming fall series of Schenley Park Lunchtime Series:Lectures with a View, Mayor Murphy will discuss the development inlinking Pittsburgh’s urban green spaces with the objective of creating

an “Emerald Necklace” for Pittsburgh.Other topics in the five-week series include: local artists’ efforts for park

restoration, a preview of Schenley Plaza, the restoration and design ofRiverview Parks’s Chapel Shelter and UPMC’s initiative advocating“green” healthcare.

The Schenley Park Visitor Center hosts the series, offering lightlunchtime fare, coffees and desserts in the café. The free lecture seriesruns in the spring and fall and is sponsored by the Pittsburgh ParksConservancy and Venture Outdoors. Lectures last about 30 minutes andstart at noon on the following Thursdays at the Visitor Center.

October 6 – Art of the ParkMichael Maskarinec, WQED creative director, local artist, and co-curator

of Art of the Park, PPC’s new event in conjunction with Concept Art GallerySee a highly visual presentation of the spectacular range of 25 localartists’ interpretations of Frick, Highland, Riverview and Schenley parksand learn how their works of art will aid park restoration.

October 13 – Creating Pittsburgh’s Emerald Necklace: TrailDevelopment in the City

Mayor Tom MurphyJoin Mayor Tom Murphy as he tells the story of the development ofPittsburgh’s first-class trail system. The City is proud to boast that it hasmore than 20 miles of trails throughout the City, often referred to as the“emerald necklace.” Hear how Pittsburgh residents are taking advantageof these natural assets.

October 20 – Schenley Plaza: A Preview of Oakland’s New Public SpaceMeg Cheever, president & CEO, Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy

Hear a preview of Schenley Plaza’s exciting spring opening as a vibrantpublic green space and grand entrance to Schenley Park. Learn about thePlaza’s amenities, diverse programming plans, and why the transformationof this space is a cornerstone to Oakland’s revitalization.

October 27 – Planning the Restoration of Riverview Park’s Chapel ShelterEllis Schmidlapp, president, Landscape Design Associates, Architects

Hear how Riverview Park’s Chapel Shelter is being transformed from adeteriorated picnic pavilion to a modernized public amenity, reminiscentof its original design from the late 1800s. Learn how and why the restora-tion plans unfolded, and enjoy a presentation of the architect’s renderings.

November 3 – What’s Going “Green” got to do with Cancer?Devra Lee Davis, PhD, director, Center for Environmental Oncology at

the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute Marcia M. Barr, director of the Environmental Assessment Monitoring

and Control DivisionAccording to the National Cancer Institute, 80-90 percent of cancer isattributable to environmental factors. Learn how UPMC is embarking on adisease-prevention initiative for its workers, patients and the communityby promoting “green” healthcare practices.

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Mayor Murphy Joins FallLecture Line-UpBy Amy Ripley

Mayor Tom Murphy (left) will talk October 13. Devra Lee Davis,PhD, (right) director of the Center for Environmental Oncologywill close the series November 3.

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New Railing Completes Visitor Center Restoration By Alice Enz

The restoration of the Schenley ParkVisitor Center, a process which beganmore than three years ago, will be

completed this fall with the addition of a newrailing along the cobblestone road below thebuilding.

This railing nearly replicates the historicone that once lined the stony drive that over-looks Panther Hollow. In addition to addingaesthetic detail to the park walk-way, whichis used frequently by hikers headed down tothe Phipps Run trail, the railing will alsoimprove pedestrian safety.

“The Schenley Park Visitor Center has beena multiple-step restoration process,” said MegCheever, Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy presi-dent. “We started with the building and thenmoved on to the ecological restoration of theslopes behind it, which are only now showingtheir full potential. It’s very rewarding to wit-ness the installation of this final piece of theproject. Of course we’ll also need to continuewith quality maintenance of the building and

landscape in the future.”The designer of the railing was Heritage

Landscapes, preservation landscape architectsand planners, a firm involved in the parksmaster planning process. Their design wasinfluenced by a rusty railing stake, believedto be a remnant of the original structure,found by a PPC volunteer on the slopesbehind the Visitor Center.

“The new railing is based on the style anddetails of the post found below the stone wallduring planting work,” said PatriciaO’Donnell, principal of Heritage Landscapes.“We developed the metal post and rail designand worked with the fabricators to meet dura-bility, safety and cost-effectiveness issues.From the historic preservation standpoint, thefinal design is appropriate in both characterand details for park rehabilitation.”

The project was generously funded by thePennsylvania Department of Community andEconomic Development and an anonymousfoundation.

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Two workers from Louis Emmel Ornamental Companywork to install the new railing below the Visitor Center.

Schenley Park Visitor CenterOctober :10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

November through March: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Book your holiday party soon, dates are filling up fast.Call 412-682-7275 to make a reservation.

PPC MEMBERS RECEIVE 15% OFF

EVENT RENTALS THROUGH THE HOLIDAY SEASON.