photo by Renee Rosensteel Donor Newsletter August- Sept 2019 PittsburghParks.org You Create Parks for the Next Generation

ear Friends of the Parks ur public park system, DConservancy, Oneglected during our most troubled times, is in ur City is at a dire need of significant Ounique crossroads. financial investment. While the place we call A recent audit home continues to go conducted by the City of through an amazing and the Parks transformation, we Conservancy identified a still face challenges in minimum of $400 million in ensuring this change capital needs in our parks benefits every Pittsburgher and an annual $13 million in every community. maintenance shortfall. Our wonderful parks are a way that we can o begin to address make this happen. As a Tthis need, we recently supporter of the parks, visited more than 70 your contributions have Pittsburgh neighborhoods, Parks Conservancy have to your support, we will made a dramatic impact sharing data and created an equitable extend our commitment to so many and together, gathering community investment plan, which I we have accomplished input on the condition to more than 160 very am presenting at various so much. However, more of the parks. From this special public spaces, public meetings this fall. I work needs to be done. process, the City and ensuring our children and invite you to engage with grandchildren have safe, me personally at these accessible, and well- events so we can have maintained places to productive conversations learn and grow. Together, about an issue that means we can leave a lasting so much to us all. Meeting legacy for generations of dates and times, as well as Pittsburghers to come. our plan, can be found at www.pittsburghparks.org/ Sincerely, parksplan

am grateful for all you Ihave done and continue to do for the parks. Thanks Jayne Miller

ENGAGE contact Julie Segner at [email protected] or 412.682.7275 x240 Park champions like you Macy’s Supports Kids’ Day

uring the summer lawn games, he Parks Conservancy Dmonths, Schenley and more. Kids’ Tis very pleased to Plaza comes alive Day events are share with you that Frick with community days, made possible Park has a beautiful festivals, live lunchtime by the generous new boardwalk, thanks music, and the once-per- support of to a partnership with month Kids’ Day events. Macy’s. We the City of Pittsburgh Kids’ Day events occur extend our and individuals from the one Sunday per month in thanks to Student Conservation from May Macy’s for photo by John Altdorfer Association of Pittsburgh. through October, noon their continued The boardwalk is located - 4:00 p.m. During Kids’ on the Nine Mile Run Trail support and for Days, children are in . Previously, bringing joy to invited to enjoy free this section of trail had the families who rides on the PNC been severely damaged participate in Carousel, balloon artists, Kids’ Days occur one Sunday per month in Schenley Plaza from May by stormwater overflows face-painting, giant Kids’ Day. through October that resulted in extensive erosion issues. The construction of this Programs you make possible new boardwalk was made You Help Young Naturalists Grow he Young Naturalist assessed water T program is a paid, quality in the Falls five-week opportunity Ravine stream. for high school students Thank you for your to earn work and continued support photo by Renee Rosensteel leadership experience of this program and and to interact with all educational other teenagers programs hosted who share common by the Frick interests. The 2019 Environmental Young Naturalist group Center. 2019 Young Naturalists consisted of students from Pittsburgh Westinghouse, Alderdice, Colfax, Obama, City Charter High School, and the Western PA School for the Deaf.

his group cut,

T hauled, and installed photo by Taiji Nelson logs to control erosion, tended to trees, removed invasive species, performed path maintenance, and 2019 Young Naturalists explore Frick Park

2 Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy | August - September 2019 You transform our cherished spaces Clearing Paths in Frick Park he Parks Conservancy possible by the generous continued support of our Run Trail more accessible Tis very pleased to support of a park donor. favorite local green spaces to our neighbors, families, share with you that Frick We thank you for your and for making Nine Mile and friends. Park has a beautiful new boardwalk, thanks to a partnership with THEN NOW the City of Pittsburgh and individuals from the Student Conservation

photo by John Altdorfer Association of Pittsburgh. The boardwalk is located on the Nine Mile Run Trail in Frick Park. Previously, this section of trail had been severely damaged by stormwater overflows that resulted in extensive erosion issues. The construction of this new boardwalk was made A new boardwalk is framed and completed on Nine Mile Run You Help Young Naturalists Grow 5 Tips for Getting the Most Out of Your Next Hike

Try a guided hike! Not sure which photo by Renee Rosensteel Be present! Leave your trail to walk? Try adventuring phone or headphones 2 through our local parks with guided behind and enjoy the hikes. Currently, guided hikes are offered 1 in Frick Park and in Allegheny Commons sounds of nature. Studies show that walking in a park Park. Visit pittsburghparks.org/park- space where you cannot hear events to register for one of these free hikes (Restorative Hikes, Meet Me at the 2019 Young Naturalists the sounds of traffic is more effective in reducing anxiety. Fountain, First Friday Nature Walk, Third Friday Hikes, Hike with a Naturalist).

Be creative! Bring your Bring a friend! Spending notebook or camera alone time in nature helps Check your senses! We us to better connect with on your next trip to the have five senses. Use 5 3 ourselves to reduce stress. park. Taking the time to notice 4 them all on your next Spending time in nature with photo-worthy details in your hike! To practice mindfulness others helps us to deepen our park spaces may help you and to be more present on to be more mindful of your connections and strengthen your next trip to the park, our relationships with each photo by Taiji Nelson experience. Resting during your evaluate your senses at the other. Invite your friend to the trip to journal, or journaling beginning of your walk and afterward, will bring you clarity. park for a walk or enjoy your again during. next date with a photography trip through the park.

www.pittsburghparks.org 3 Your parks, your stories Volunteers Keep Beautiful

Volunteers keep “our parks going for generations to come IDL Worldwide has been volunteering for more than five years at the walled garden in Mellon Park. We have an office in the Bakery Square area, close to the garden, which gives us the opportunity to volunteer a few times per year. We take on various jobs like weeding, mulching, and deadheading. We feel a stronger connection to the community in photo provided by IDL Worldwide volunteering at the garden and using the parks for events such as “Kickball for a Cause” and “A Fair in the Park.”

am happy to be the volunteers for their efforts! organizer of the after- feel your accomplishment passions beyond the I at the end of the day, work desk. If you or your organization work volunteer garden would like to volunteer, events. I think gardening while some typical work projects may take months n 2018, volunteers spent please contact us at is a great way to de- [email protected] to reach completion. It Imore than 4,300 hours stress, get outside, and in our parks. Pittsburgh is also a great time to take out your aggression Parks cannot maintain Deidre Gula on the weeds! You are connect with co-workers the parks alone and Park Volunteer with IDL able to look, see, and out of the office, sharing are so grateful to our Worldwide

Help Us Maintain Our Parks Your Support Ensures that the Parks Conservancy Has the Necessary Garden Tools to Upkeep Our Parks $25 $50 Other $______My information: Name______Address ______City______State_____Zip______Phone______e-mail______

Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy does not solicit contributions from persons or entities in states other than Pennsylvania, New York, or Florida. 4 Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy | August - September 2019