spring 2005 - the voice

Last month I was privileged to bepart of a large group ofPittsburghers who went to New

York City to enjoy Christo and JeanneClaude’s The Gates in Central Park.This installation, which has been 25years in the making, created a spirit ofjoy throughout the park and let peopleview the park from a new perspective.I was overcome with appreciation forthe Central Park Conservancy’s 25-year-old public-private partnershipwith the City of New York, which hasresulted in a completely restoredCentral Park.

Meanwhile, in Philadelphia, a confer-ence called People, Power and PublicGreen Spaces: Building the AdvocacyMovement was held. More than 200people were in attendance, includingAlice Enz, one of our valued PPC staffmembers. Almost everyone there wasinvolved in a successful public-private

partnership for parks across the eastcoast. “The time is here,” said Charles Jordan, one of the country’s leadingadvocates for urban parks. “I can feel the momentum building in this room. Youare proof that 2005 is the year for the movement to reclaim and rebuild our public green space.” As we work to restore our four great parks in Pittsburgh, take a moment to

consider that we are part of a larger national movement. As president of thePittsburgh Parks Conservancy, I want to thank you all for your help in restoringour parks and am asking that you continue to work with us to keep up the

momentum. Volunteer in the parks, call your public officials and tell them parksare important to you. Come to a special event that supports the ParksConservancy. Or simply become a contributor. Your efforts are part of a move-ment that is sweeping the nation. Join us and advocate for your parks!As some of you may know, we went through a difficult period this past

summer when we discovered that our Chief Operating and Financial Officerwas embezzling money from the organization. When confronted, he confessedand was immediately fired. Federal authorities have pursued the matter. Themost difficult challenge was the enormous betrayal of trust we suffered, but wewere bolstered by the support and assistance offered by many of our friends. Weare very grateful.

On a positive note we have hired a wonderful new Chief Financial Officer,Debbie Beck, who is both a CPA and a lawyer (see story p. 3). We have alsocompletely overhauled the financial and business systems of the PPC becausewe are committed to seeing that nothing like this can ever happen again. Onanother positive note, we have looked at our finances and operations very thor-oughly and can report that we’re fiscally sound. Money is always needed due tothe enormous needs for restoration in the parks, but we have no debt, are slowlybuilding an endowment, and undertake projects only when the funding has beenraised.

I hope you can see evidence of this support while out in the parks – walkingalong a restored Phipps Run in Schenley or Snyder’s Point in Riverview. We arelooking forward to completion of the Highland Park Entry Garden this springwith its newly restored reflecting pool, fountain and flowers. Almost 40,000bulbs were planted there last fall and are ready to burst into bloom when theweather breaks. We’ve also enjoyed working with the City, the community andarchitects to plan for a new Frick Environmental Center.

Central Park in its proudly restored state has once again become the commonground for all New Yorkers. As we keep on working to execute the Master Planfor Pittsburgh’s Regional Parks, Central Park serves as a beacon of inspiration.

Letters To The Editor

MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT

Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy Newsletter

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.

Hollow Improvements Hold UpI visited Schenley Park early on September to see what the record rain

had wrought and was very impressed by the way the improvements inthe hollow have prevented damage.Paula HallSquirrel Hill

Kudos for Highland Park Restoration To say that your group has done an excellent job with the restoration of

the fountain would be an understatement. It looks fabulous! You must bequite proud. I spend so much time in the park and believe I’ve coveredevery inch of it on my daily walks. It sounds as though you have greatthings in the works and I’m grateful that it is receiving the attention ithas so long deserved. Elizabeth SisneyHighland Park

Seattle Resident Remembers ParksI grew up in the suburbs of Forest Hills and Churchill. My parents

were both raised in Oakland and Squirrel Hill and so had a deep love forthe city’s parks, especially Panther Hollow. They took me and my twosisters there countless times, to explore, hunt for buckeyes, search forthe perfect leaf.

While I have not lived in Pittsburgh for nearly 30 years, PantherHollow still holds a special place in my heart. I visit it every time Icome to town, and on my most recent sojourn to Pittsburgh, I spent afew hours pulling bottles, clothing and other trash out of the stream andsurrounding woods.

It looked better than in recent years–the stream-bed rebuilding lookedgreat. I eagerly look forward to wearing your T-shirt with pride andusing it as a lure to tell folks in Seattle how special the Pittsburgh parksare.Mike BuchmanSeattle,WA

Dog-Leash Policy: Pros and ConsAs a resident of the city and an avid runner, I enjoy the parks and com-

mend you on the wonderful job you have done to renew our resources. Iwould like to suggest something that may make the parks a friendlierplace for everybody to enjoy. I run in the parks often and am concernedwith the number of unleashed dogs on trails.

This past Saturday, I was chased by a dog while running past the play-ground at the intersection at Bartlett and Hobart streets. The dog chasedme down the trail and cut me off, snapping at my hand. Although I lovedogs, this was entirely unexpected. It was a very disconcerting experi-ence, and now I am leery of other unleashed dogs on the trail. This isnot only in Schenley Park. I and several other runners avoid Frick Parkbecause there are so many dogs off leash on the trails.

I am not advocating dog-free parks. I support people visiting the parkswith their dogs. Many dog owners who visit the parks areresponsible.However, I think that many other people who use the parkswill agree that unknown dogs that are off leash on the trails can beintimidating.Melissa ChanSquirrel Hill

I love Pittsburgh parks but I dislike the dog-control policies. Whyshould a few with dog phobias spoil the pleasure of the rest of us whoenjoy seeing dogs running and having fun? Roberta Klatzky

A dog-walker enters Frick Park with his dog on a leash.

PPC President Meg Cheever and boardvice-chair Richard Reed participated in atour of the Gates in Central Park.

The PittsburghParks Conservancyhas welcomed a

new member to the staff.Debborah E. Beck, aCPA and lawyer, comesto the PPC with experience from her ownnational consulting busi-ness and as a financial controller and consultantat American EagleOutfitters. Her past workincludes roles as vicepresident of financial operations at Highmark, senior finance executive at Duquesne Light Company and certified public accountant with Coopers Lybrand.

“I was delighted to accept the Chief Financial Officer’s position atthe PPC because the organization allows me to pursue both my personal and professional interests. Historical research, restoration,horticulture, gardening, accounting and finance were too good acombination to pass up,” said Beck.

The standards of excellence of the PPC drew Beck to the organiza-tion. “The Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy personifies excellence in itscapital projects and ecological restorations. Every visit to the FrickGatehouse, Schenley Park Visitor Center, Highland Park EntryFountain or the Phipps Run walking trail takes my breath away.Because Meg Cheever was committed to establishing and maintain-ing a system of internal controls consistent with the best practicesapplied every day in accomplishing the PPC’s mission, I was doublyattracted to the opportunity.”

With the collaboration of the PPC staff and board of directors, thePPC has tightened control procedures and engaged independentauditors to review, test and report on the revised internal policies andprocedures.

“My experience here has been a rewarding one,” said Beck. “Thereis an incredible generosity of spirit and dedication within the organization, its partners and supporters.”

This spring, visitors to the Highland ParkEntry Garden will enjoy a fountain, tensof thousands of flowers, benches, historic

light fixtures and graded walkways for the firsttime in decades. This fourth showcase projectof the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy and theCity of Pittsburgh was funded by the Eden HallFoundation, the Allegheny Regional AssetDistrict, the Highland Park CommunityDevelopment Corporation and theCommonwealth of Pennsylvania.

The centerpiece of the project is the restoredhistoric fountain. It has been more than 75years since water has filled its basin.

The major construction for the project, whichincluded rebuilding the fountain and surroundingdeck and constructing the trails, was completedlast fall by the City of Pittsburgh. The fountainis slated to be turned on for the season in thebeginning of May.

The old records of the historical plantingswere explored in the design process.

“The goal of the design was to capture a senseof the historical design while also reflecting thecontemporary use of the area,” says Phil

Gruszka, director of park management andmaintenance at the Pittsburgh ParksConservancy. “With that in mind, the finaldesign layout focused on the colors, textureand height of the flowers to create a powerfulvisual effect.”

More than 40,000 bulbs were planted thiswinter by the PPC’s subcontractor, theRosedale Block Cluster, a nonprofit communityorganization based in Homewood. The organi-zation includes a landscaping business that worksthroughout the city.

“This was a very important project for us,”said Dianne Swan, executive director of theRosedale Block Cluster. “It presented a uniqueopportunity for a group that would usually beoverlooked in the bidding process to contributeto the enhancement and development of a parkthat we have all grown up using.”

Plantings include crocus, snowdrop, hyacinth,tulips and peonies. To ensure the sustainabilityof the gardens a custom soil was used in theproject.

The final pieces of the project will soon cometogether with the plantings of Grace Hybrid

Holly trees and the completion of the historiclight fixtures.

For more information on the project call thePittsburgh Parks Conservancy at 412-682-7275.


Highland Park Entry Garden on Track for Completion

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By Alice Enz

Highland Park fountain during a test run last fall.Look for the fountain to be running this spring.

New Chief Financial Officer JoinsParks Conservancy TeamBy Alice Enz

With a new stream channeldug out of the earth andtopsoil removed to

repel invasive plants, the NineMile Run stream valley in FrickPark does not look like a projectdesigned to nurture an endangered ecosystem.

“This is the dark before thedawn,” said Marijke Hecht, executive director of the NineMile Run Watershed Association.“The project is a construction site.But we don’t want people to bealarmed because this is a tremen-dous project and it will improve thelandscape dramatically.”

Nine Mile Run – a 6.5-square-mile watershed running throughFrick Park to the MonongahelaRiver – is undergoing a multi-million dollar restoration by theU.S. Army Corp of Engineers.Storm water management is oneof the cornerstones of the projectbecause the watershed is over-whelmed by erosion and sewagefrom the East End during wetweather.

Last July the 2004 federal fundingfor the Nine Mile Run watershedstream restoration was slashed by

$1.6 million, forcing the contractorto pull out of the project.

But there was time to seednative grasses, which were successful in preventing serioussoil erosion, despite two majorrainstorms brought on by hurricanes Frances and Ivan.

The Nine Mile Run WatershedAssociation has secured interimfunding and will soon completethe unfinished phase of the project stretching from BraddockAvenue to Commercial Avenue.

Hecht credited U.S. RepresentativeMike Doyle and his staff forworking to restore funding for the$7.7 million project. Hecht said theCity had a firm commitment fromthe government and hoped that nomore unforeseen cuts would interrupt construction. The nextphase of the project will restorethe watershed from CommercialAvenue south to the Monongahela.

Upon its completion, the restoration will redirect the flowof Nine Mile Run and its two tributaries, add 100 acres to FrickPark and replenish the nearly lifeless stream.

Stream Restoration Slowed, NotStopped by Budget CutsConstruction restarts in Nine Mile Run afterfederal funds cutBy Amy Ripley

Chief Financial Officer Deborrah E. Beck

Q: What new responsibilities do you have as Deputy Director of the Department of Public Works?A: Besides park maintenance and administration, I will now be involved with the oversight of theBureau of Engineering and Construction, which includes park construction and architecture projects. It isjust another piece of the puzzle to putting the park structure back together.

Q: How many acres of land are you responsible for and what parks does that include?A: We have about 2,800 acres of parkland. That’s 175 parks throughout the city, ranging from the fourlargest Regional Asset District parks to the parklets, tot lots and the small passive triangles.

Q: What are the biggest challenges in maintaining the four regional parks?A: Litter, graffiti, turf damage and the people who have a disregard or disrespect for the parks.

Q: A few years ago the decision was made to have dedicated park crews. How has that changeaffected your work and the overall health of the parks? How has the community responded?A: The change has been positive. It’s something that was needed for years. The staff and crews enjoy working in the parks and I think it’s reflected inhow the parks look today. The community has responded and has been pleasantly surprised that workers are in the parks on a daily basis. But there isstill a lot of work to do.

Q: Imagine 20 years from now. What will the parks look like?A: They’re done, the master plan has been fulfilled, the walls are rebuilt, the trails arerestored, the buildings are renovated, everything’s rehabbed and I get to retire. Then, tosome degree, we get to start all over again. The parks require constant attention andmaintenance. Of course, none of that would be possible without the funding andresources provided by the Allegheny Regional Asset District (ARAD) and the PittsburghParks Conservancy, which plays an important role in the restoration of the parks.

Q: If someone has a concern about the park what should they do?A: They can call any of our park foremen, their contact information is on the City ofPittsburgh website (see box to right). We welcome any residents to talk with our foremen and staff and express their comments and concerns.

Q: How does DPW work with the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy in Highland, Frick, Schenley and Riverview parks? What affect has thepublic-private partnership had on our regional parks over the last eight years?A: In the four regional parks we’ve been working hand-in-hand with the PPC on capital projects, the Gatehouse at Frick, the Schenley Park VisitorCenter, the Babbling Brook and this year, the completion of the Highland Park Entry Garden. We have worked together to cover capital costs andmaintenance services. While the City’s crews are in the parks, the PPC has helped with ongoing volunteer efforts that supplement the crews. In addi-tion, they have been able to send our crews to undergo training they might not have been able to get otherwise. The driving force behind this relation-ship is the Regional Parks Master Plan, which speaks to a collaborative effort. In the initial phase everyone was apprehensive but we’ve learned over theyears to trust one another and we’ve done great things together and will continue to do so in the future. I think it’s been a successful collaboration.

Q: There is a lot of discussion about consolidating the city and county parks. What are your views on this? A: I think it’s something that will ultimately happen. I don’t know if it is in the very near future or 10 years down the road. People are looking for acombination of government services. It will be good for the parks if everyone looks beyond the surface. There are a lot of details that go into the mixto make it successful. Nobody has excess resources. However, we have been working together for years, sharing equipment and ideas and communi-cating with one another.

Q: What is your favorite spot in the parks?A: Anywhere I can go to get away from the traffic and the hustle and bustle. It’s great to be in one of the four regional parks and not hear all of thenoise. I grew up playing and working in Highland Park and so I’m excited to see the entry garden and fountain nearing completion.


The City of Pittsburgh, Department ofPublic Works, and the Pittsburgh ParksConservancy are working together to

restore the landscape around the Chapel Shelterin Riverview Park. The project will improve theoverall ecology of the park and restore a culturallandscape reminiscent of the design that historical-ly surrounded the Chapel Shelter.

Currently the site is filled with non-native treespecies such as the Siberian elm and Norwaymaple. These trees are environmentally invasiveand out-compete native plants, resulting in thedestruction of native habitat and a decrease in thebiodiversity of our parks.

This project will restore the landscaped portionof the Chapel Shelter site with native tree species

that are already present, such as Linden, Sugarmaple and Beech trees. The restoration willextend to adjacent areas of the park where nativetrees, shrubs and flowers will be planted. Inaddition, the historic Lilac population will be

preserved and enhanced as part of this initialphase of work.

Currently, pink ribbons are attached to thenative trees and shrubs that will remain on thesite. A tree removal contractor will remove anytree or shrub without a pink ribbon in lateFebruary and March. Restoration plantings willbegin during the spring and fall of 2005.

If you have any questions please call PhilipGruszka at the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy at412-682-7275 x219.

Restoring Riverview Park’s LandscapeBy Phil Gruszka

Interview with Deputy Director Mike GableNewly Promoted Deputy Director Talks About his Priorities for Parks

Contact Your Park Foreman:

Frick Park: Dick Wilford – 412-422-6550

Highland Park: Damon Blankenship – 412-665-3632

Riverview Park: Bob Lacki – 412-323-7209

Schenley Park: Tim Cain – 412-622-6904

Website: www.city.pittsburgh.pa.us

Deputy Director Mike Gable

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Madcap MasqueradeMadcap MasqueradeSaturday, October 29Saturday, October 29thth

This fall the Pittsburgh ParksConservancy is staging a zanyHalloween bash. The Madcap

Masquerade, a costume or black tieevent, is full of whimsical detailsand bewitching backdrops. It will feature culinary presentations of

the strolling variety, entertainmenttroupes and the camaraderie of

PPC supporters. For more information, contact the PPC

at 412-682-7275.


Restoring the parks hasnever been better for theenvironment. The

Pittsburgh Parks Conservancyhas teamed up with Shults Fordof Wexford to bring energyefficient vehicles to the causeof park restoration. With agrant from the PennsylvaniaDepartment of Community andEconomic Development(DCED), the PPC purchasedone of the first Ford EscapeHybrid SUVs released in thePittsburgh market.

The PPC travels about 60,000miles a year throughout the cityof Pittsburgh to reach the fourparks. The use of a hybrid vehi-cle will save fuel and reduceemissions – a more appropriatechoice for the organizationwhose mission calls for con-

ducting restoration projectswith respect for environmentalsensitivity. The Ford, which hitthe road in February, bears thelogos of the Conservancy andof DCED.

“Using fuel-efficient hybridvehicles in the parks demon-strates that the PPC is dedicatedto environmental stewardship ineverything we do,” saidConservancy President MegCheever. The director of parks

management and maintenanceand his staff will use the vehiclefor travel throughout the parksystem and to transport tools andplants used for volunteer days.Special thanks to Mike Solito, thelocal vehicle broker of AutoBuyer’s Consultants, Inc whoassisted the PPC.

New Hybrid SUV to BenefitLocal Parks By Abbie Pauley

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Mary Schenley DescendantVisits Pittsburgh

The local legend of how Schenley Park was born came to life thissummer when the great-great grandson of Mary Schenley, RobertHarbord, traveled from his home in England to visit the City of

Pittsburgh. Harbord wanted to see for himself the impact that his fami-ly’s generosity had on the city.

“I knew very little about her, other than she had a park named after herhere in the states,” said Harbord fondly recalling a faded picture of hisgreat-great grandmother that used to sit on the mantle. “It has been anincredible experience to see and experience the park that has been afoggy image in my head for so long. And now I know that there are goodpeople here in Pittsburgh taking care of my great-great grandmother’sgift.”According to legend, more than 100 years ago the first Director of the

Department of Public Works, Edward Bigelow, learned that a developer was headed to England to purchase land from thewealthy Pittsburgh heiress. Upon hearing the news, he sent a lawyer on a midnight train from East Liberty to cross theocean and claim the land for a greatly needed public space for the city. Bigelow’s lawyer managed to beat the developer by two days and by the time thedeveloper reached London, Pittsburgh had its first great park, Schenley Park, courtesy of Mary Schenley.

“It was a pleasure to be able to tour the park with Mr. Harbord and see it through the eyes of a first-time visitor,”said Meg Cheever, president of the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy. “We had an opportunity to show him some of ourrecently completed projects such as the Schenley Park Visitor Center, the trail work in Phipps Run and the plans forSchenley Plaza.”

Harbord received a behind-the-scenes guided tour on the restoration projects from active park user Mayor TomMurphy and Director of Public Works Guy Costa.

By Alice Enz

Mayor Tom Murphy and Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy President MegCheever talk with Mary Schenley’s great-great grandson, Robert Harbord.

Urban EcoSteward ProgramGains MomentumBy Alice Enz

The Urban EcoSteward program, organized through a partnershipbetween the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy, the Frick EnvironmentalCenter and the Nine Mile Run Watershed Association, is gaining

support across the city. The program encourages interested citizens to helpmanage and restore urban green spaces. One of the main goals is to create aninformed group of citizen advocates for park issues.

“The program has a great potential to reach a large number of people whomight not be your usual park users and engage them in stewardship of theparks and Pittsburgh’s green space,” says Patty Himes, Frick EnvironmentalCenter Staff and EcoSteward coordinator for Frick Park.

Individuals or groups of volunteers monitor about one-quarter acre of parkland by removing invasive plants to make room for native plants, improvingthe biodiversity of the site. In addition to this physical work, EcoStewardscollect environmental data about their site and record the presence of invasive plants by describing their density and location within the site. Afterseveral years this research will provide an overall picture of the long-termhealth of the site.

“The data allows us to create a database to use in urban green space management,” says Christopher Tracey, a consulting ecologist working withthe Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy to further develop the program. “Over time,this information can tell us which invasive species are spreading and which ofour management techniques are working to control these invasives.” In addition to helping inform the PPC and the City’s Department of Public

Works park crew’s efforts, the Urban EcoStewards program could eventuallydevelop a regional invasives species management plan.

Recently, Urban EcoSteward volunteers met to discuss the effect of theirindividual efforts on the biodiversity of the 1,700 acres of park land.

“Every site with a steward is either central or bordering a project area forthe Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy,” explained Mary Beth Steisslinger, PPCrestoration coordinator. “By focusing on these areas the EcoStewards canhave a dramatic impact on maintaining native plantings and keeping out invasive plant populations.”

Currently there are 35 EcoStewards working in the four regional parks onabout 30 acres of land.

“We’re not alone as individual EcoStewards, we’re all part of a bigger program,” said Patty Himes. “It’s easy to forget that when you’re out on yourown in the park.”

If you are interested in becoming an Urban EcoSteward contact thePittsburgh Parks Conservancy at 412-682-7275 or email [email protected].

Phil Gruszka, director of park management and maintenance,stands next to the new vehicle.


Meg CheeverPresident and CEO

Debbie BeckChief Financial Officer

Abbie PauleyDirector of Institutional

Advancement

Philip J. GruszkaDirector of ParkManagement and

Maintenance Policies

Bonita KwolekMembership/Volunteer

Coordinator

Jessica TodarelloCommunications Assistant

Alice EnzPublic Education andPrograms Assistant

Mary Beth SteisslingerRestoration Coordinator

Amy Ripley Projects Coordinator

Brandi FergelecSchenley Park Visitor Center

Liz StyleDocent Coordinator

Beth BodamerAdministrative Assistant

Gudrun Wells Volunteer

Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy

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

GET OUTDOORS THIS SPRING

* Event is free of charge.**Schedule is subject to change. Contact host organization for more information.

Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy (PPC): www.pittsburghparks.org or call 412-682-7275Venture Outdoors: www.wpfi.org or call 412-255-0564Nine Mile Run Watershed Association (NMRWA):www.ninemilerun.org or call 412-371-8779Frick Environmental Center (FEC): 412-422-6538

Date Event Location Start Time Hosted By**April 30 Spring Wildflower Walk* Frick Park, Falls Ravine Shelter 1 p.m. NMRWA

May 1 Wild Edible Walk Frick Environmental Center 1 p.m. FEC

May 3 Tyke Hike Schenley Park Visitor Center 10 a.m. Venture Outdoors

May 4 Weekly Walk in the Woods* Schenley Park Visitor Center 6:30 p.m. PPC

May 8 Historic Walk in Schenley* Schenley Park Visitor Center 1 p.m. PPC


May 11 Weekly Walk in the Woods* Riverview Park main entrance 6:30 p.m. PPC

May 14 Nine Mile Run Stream Hike* NMRWA office parking lot 1 p.m. NMRWA

May 15 Community Sea Kyaking Panther Hollow Lake 10 a.m. Venture Outdoors

May 15 Historic Walk in Schenley* Schenley Park Visitor Center 1 p.m. PPC

May 17 Tyke Hike Schenley Park Visitor Center 10 a.m. Venture Oudoors

May 18 Weekly Walk in the Woods* Highland Park Main Entrance 6:30 p.m. PPC

May 18 Yoga Outdoors Schenley Park Visitor Center 6:30 p.m. Venture Outdoors

May 19 Mountain Bike Clinic Frick Park tennis courts 6:30 p.m. Venture Outdoors


May 25 Weekly Walk in the Woods* Frick Environmental Center 6:30 p.m. PPC


June 3 Gourmet Hike at Frick Frick Park 5 p.m. Venture Outdoors

June 5 Historic Walk in Schenley* Schenley Park Visitor Center 1 p.m. PPC

June 7 Tyke Hike Schenley Park Visitor Center 10 a.m. Venture Outdoors

June 8 Weekly Walk in the Woods* Riverview Park main entrance 6:30 p.m. PPC

June 10 Beer Tasting Hike Schenley Park 6:30 p.m. Venture Outdoors


June 15 Weekly Walk in the Woods* Highland Park main entrance 6:30 p.m. PPC

June 15 Yoga Outdoors Schenley Park Visitor Center 6:30 p.m. Venture Outdoors

June 19 Historic Walk in Schenley* Schenley Park Visitor Center 1 p.m. PPC


June 22 Weekly Walk in the Woods* Frick Environmental Center 6:30 p.m. PPC

Student Conservation Association crews working in the parks.

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Work in the Park this Summer –Student Conservation Association Crew Leaders Wanted!SCA is the national leader in resource conservation, providing service opportuni-

ties, outdoor skills and leadership training to thousands of young women and meneach year. For the summer of 2005, SCA is offering qualified applicants the chanceto lead conservation crews in the Pittsburgh region. Crews will consist of six tonine 15- to 19-year-old urban high school students. Crew leaders supervise, moti-vate and lead a crew to complete an assortment of conservation, restoration andmaintenance projects for the parks in the Pittsburgh region as well as recreationaland outdoor activities. A mandatory staff training will be held in May. The training will be about a week

long and cover the skills required to be a successful crew leader. Work with thestudents will begin in late June and run through August.

Send resume and coverletter by fax or email or

call for more details.412-325-1851 phone

412-325-1856 [email protected]

www.thesca.org


Join Us!If you love our parks,

become a member.

Yes! Sign me up as a contributer to the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy. I look forward to receiving your newsletter and adding my voice to the chorus ofPittsburghers championing their parks!

Check One: o Benefactor Society $500

o Mary Schenley Circle $250

o Park Steward $150

o Park Friend $25

o Business Membership $250

Name:

Address:

Telephone: email:

Make Check Payable to: Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy2000 Technology Drive, Suite 300Pittsburgh, PA 15219

The Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy is a Pennsylvania non profit corporation. We will provide a disclosurestatement and substantiation of donation form for your donation. A copy of the official registration and

Volunteer Days in the ParksVolunteer in the park this spring. For moreinformation call Bonny Kwolek, volunteercoordinator, at 412-682-7275 x210 or check theevents section of our website at www.pittsburghparks.org.

Friday, March 18 and Saturday April 9Volunteer in Schenley Park with the Collegiate Park Stewards and work on restoration projects, including invasive species removal and trail maintenance.

Saturday, April 2Head to Frick Park to work at this Meadow Stewardship Day with the Frick Environmental Center staff.Call 412-422-6538 for more information.

Saturday, April 23Join with fellow Pittsburghers for theGreat PA Cleanup and help restore Schenley Park in honor of Earth Day.

Saturday, June 11Learn more about invasive plants and how to become an Urban EcoSteward during the Non-native Invasive Plant Training in Frick Park.

Teaching Workshop Gets Teachers Out into the City’s Parks

Educators are invited to sign up for the PittsburghEnvironmental Teaching Workshop from July 11 – 15th.During the week-long course, teachers gain expertise on

urban environmental issues through field activities and classroomexercises on built environments, geology, resource conservation,watersheds and biodiversity.

The workshop is designed for upper-elementary and middle-school teachers but is open to all educators as materials can beadapted for different skill levels.

The Pittsburgh Environmental Teaching Workshop is run by thePittsburgh Parks Conservancy, Carnegie Museum of NaturalHistory, Frick Environmental Center, Conservation Consultants,Inc., Earthforce, SALVO and the Pennsylvania Resource Council.

To sign up for this summer’s workshop, contact the PPC at 412-682-7275.

maintenance in partnership with the Department of Public Works,with regular litter pick up, security and programming. “The completed plaza will have more than 100 parking spaces

around the perimeter of the plaza,” said Cheever. “The peripheralparking spaces will accommodate park users, students, commuters,Oakland residents and visitors.”

The Plaza is a partnership between the Pittsburgh ParksConservancy, the City of Pittsburgh, the Oakland InvestmentCommittee of the Allegheny Conference on CommunityDevelopment and the Oakland Task Force. Significant support hasalso been provided by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania,Honorable Ed Rendell, Governor, PNC Bank, the Eden HallFoundation, the Hillman Foundation, Allegheny County, DanOnorato, Chief Executive, and the Federal Department of Housingand Urban Development.

PLAZA, FROM PAGE 1

Make a Name For Yourself

Support Schenley Plaza at the $100 and above level and have your name tastefully

displayed in the Plaza on a chair or brick paver.

For more information call 412-682-7275

Teachers identify tree leaves during the 2004 Teaching Workshop.

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Two local authors will reveal engaging historical anecdotes and lit-tle-known Pittsburgh facts in this spring’s installment of the freelecture series, Schenley Park Lunchtime Series: Lectures with a

View. Both authors will sign copies of their books, which will be on saleat the Visitor Center.

The Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy and Venture Outdoors hold the lecture series twice a year. Lectures last about 30 minutes and start atnoon on the following Thursdays at the Visitor Center:

March 17 – Millhunks and Renegades: A Portrait of a PittsburghNeighborhood. Anita Kulina, author of Millhunks and Renegades, willtake listeners on a tour of Greenfield through the eyes of the generationsof Irish, Italian and Slovak immigrants who built this neighborhood bordering Schenley Park. Her stories may forever change the way youlook at places and things you see every day.

March 24 – How Walking Helps You Cope with Stress. Bruce Rabin, M.D., Ph.D., medical director, UPMC Healthy LifestyleProgram, discusses how walking is a scientifically proven (and enjoyable) way to deal with the stressors in our lives.

March 31 – Gardening for a Sense of Place. Thelma Redick, educationand outreach program manager of the Wildlife Habitat Council, willshare ways to use native plants to decorate garden landscape, attractwildlife and celebrate the natural and human history of our environment.

April 7 – Seeing Green: The Vision for the Frick Environmental Center.Jim Taylor, AIA, LEED Accredited Professional, Project Manager andDesigner from IKM Incorporated, will discuss the rebuilding of the FrickEnvironmental Center. As part of this visual presentation, attendees willbe able to offer their perspectives on the proposed designs.

April 14 – The Steps of Pittsburgh: Portrait of a City author Bob Reganand photographer Tim Fabian take attendees on the journey of climbingand compiling the book, The Steps of Pittsburgh. Join them for a walkingtour of the nearby staircases in Oakland after the lecture.

Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy NewsletterNon-Profit Org.U S POSTAGE

P A I DPITTSBURGH, PAPERMIT NO 4906

centers in Ohio to gather ideas on programming, fundraising and build-ing construction.

Last November, more than 40 environmental educators from all overthe city, including representatives of the Rachel Carson Homestead, theNine Mile Run Watershed Association, the Pittsburgh ParksConservancy, Pittsburgh Public Schools, and others convened at SchenleyPark skating rink to brainstorm on the center’s educational focus.

Brian Corr, a science resource teacher from Pittsburgh PublicSchools, said he hoped the environmental center and the schools couldwork closely together. “I think it’s very important that each of the kidsgets an opportunity to go to the center,” he said. “But is there anopportunity for the environmental center and the schools to not justhave one meeting but to be constantly in touch with each other?”Abbie Pauley, director of institutional advancement for the Parks

Conservancy, echoed the voices of many, saying she hoped the centerwould serve as a gateway into the park.

“I would like to see it be an environmental education hub for the community where people can use it from all over the city,” she said.“They can learn about sustainable buildings, park landscapes, ecologi-cal restoration, erosion control, watersheds and wetlands. By having amore appealing building we’ll be able to get this message out that theparks are a tremendous educational resource.”

If you are interested in becoming a part of this public process, therewill be public meetings this spring. The first is scheduled for Thursday,March 31st and will be held at the Schenley Park Ice Skating Rink. Formore information contact Maureen Hogan at 412-977-8468 or [email protected].

ENVIRONMENTAL CENTER, FROM PAGE 1

LET YOUR LEGACY OFSUPPORT LIVE ON

Remember Pittsburgh’s Historic Parks in your Will or Trust

Through planned giving, you can ensure that your support ofour parks is carried on for the next generation.

Your generosity will help us continue our mission to preserve, protect and restore the great parks of Pittsburgh.

To learn more, contact the PPC at 412.682.PARK

Local Authors Featured inSpring Lecture SeriesSeries returns to the Schenley Park

Author Bob Regan (right) and photographer Tim Fabian (left) will talk about The Steps of Pittsburgh, with walking tour to follow.

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Schematic Design OptionsEnvironmental Center DiscussionThursday, March 31st 7– 9 p.m.

Schenley Park Ice Skating Rink, Overlook Drive

Are you interested in park history?Want to know more about ecology and

biodiversity in the parks?

Volunteer to be a DocentLead park tours through Frick, Highland, Riverview

and Schenley parks.Contact Bonny Kwolek at 412-682-7275 for more information.

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