SHOW YOUR PARKS PRIDE

Our new webstore is open for business! Now you can show your parks pride by sporting t-shirts, water bottles, mugs and more when visiting your parks. Plus, you can even get some swag for your four-legged friends! 

Don’t forget, proceeds from your purchase go directly toward restoring and maintaining Pittsburgh’s park system. 

THE LENDING LIBRARY

Looking for ways to connect with nature while visiting your parks? The Lending Library is a collection of exploration tools that will make your time in nature educational and interactive! Once you become a member of the Lending Library (it’s FREE!) you’ll have the opportunity to borrow backpacks from two park locations, which will aid you in exploring streams, forests, meadows, and more!

ART IN YOUR PARKS: ANTHONY GIMA

Last week, we sat down with Anthony Gima, a local flame worker based out of Highland Park. Throughout his 14 years living in Pittsburgh, he’s come to know and love his local parks and often draws from nature to create his spectacular works of art. 

RESTORING A PIECE OF HISTORY – MELLON SQUARE

Mellon Square is a landmark park in downtown Pittsburgh. Built during the city's 1950s Renaissance, the park provides a green oasis that highlights and enhances the buildings around it.  One of the oldest surviving parks to be built atop a parking garage, Mellon Square is one of the country's original "green roofs."

The completely restored Mellon Square reopened publicly in May 2014 and offers a renewed urban oasis for workers, visitors, and residents, while supporting economic growth in the city’s downtown core. 

This summer, catch live music in Mellon Square every Wednesday afternoon! You can also join us on the last Thursday of the month at our Summer at the Square Block Party series beginning at 5:30 p.m.!

THE RACE IS ON!

Save the date for the return of Run Around the Square on August 27!

Run Around the Square had a modest beginning in 1982 and has grown over the years into one of Pittsburgh’s largest 5K races. It includes a 5K competitive run and a 1.5-mile run/walk more suited to families and children. Both races wind through the streets of Regent Square; the short run ends in the neighborhood while the 5K proceeds into Frick Park and ends in Fern Hollow. 

Though the route has changed slightly this year due to the collapse of the Fern Hollow Bridge, the same fun is in store, so don’t forget to register today!

PROTECTING NATURE THROUGH SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES

This past June, the Plastics Collective published new policy recommendations for Southwestern Pennsylvania in regard to single-use plastics.

These recommendations are based on a year of research focusing specifically on municipalities in the area, taking the priorities and challenges of the communities into account. We encourage you to check out these recommendations and try to cut back on single-use plastics in your daily life!

9TH ANNUAL HEALTH AND WELLNESS WEEKEND

It's almost time for the return of a summer tradition in Pittsburgh's historic Hill District! The Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy is pleased join our friends at the 9th Annual Health and Wellness Weekend “A Better YOU in 2022”. This stimulating weekend event will take place on August 19 and 20, 2022. Throughout the weekend, participants will have the opportunity to engage in a variety of activities that focus on the enhancement of the five pillars of health: Mental, Physical, Spiritual, Economic, and Environmental Health. 

SUPPORT YOUR PARKS WHILE YOU SHOP!

We are honored and excited to announce that we have been chosen to participate in a special charitable giving campaign, sponsored and funded by Target. And you have the chance to help direct a portion of Target’s donation to the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy! Visit target.com/circle to learn more!

You can also shop at smile.amazon.com to support your park at no additional cost to you! Simply activate Amazon Smile online or in the app and choose the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy as your charity of choice!

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT - DUCK WEED AT WESTINGHOUSE POND

If you follow @pittsburghparks on social media, you’ve probably been following along with the saga of duckweed removal at Westinghouse Pond. For the past month, our Horticulture and Forestry (H&F) crew has been dedicated to tackling this pesky weed once and for all. 

In case you missed it, check out our recent blog to learn about the process and watch the progress videos. 

P.S. Our H&F team works tirelessly to maintain and beautify Pittsburgh’s parks for all to enjoy. Next time you see them out and about, don’t forget to thank them for their committed work!