Donor Newsletter January-February 2018 PittsburghParks.org Welcome Jayne Miller Your parks attract industry leader as CEO

our parks deserve nothing Ybut the best. Jayne Miller brings years of success with her to from Minneapolis Parks and Recreation.

ounding President and FCEO Meg Cheever feels confident Jayne is the right person for the job. “I am thrilled to know that Jayne Miller will succeed me as the next CEO of the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy. Her experience running the Minneapolis park system, rated number one in the Jayne joins the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy after 7 years as Superintendent at the country for the last five Minneapolis Parks and Recreation Board years by the Trust for Public Land, makes her eminently ayne’s 30-year successful parks’ 134-year history, we based on racial and qualified to take the Jtrack record with parks negotiated an agreement in economic equity, a first Conservancy to new heights.” will continue Meg’s legacy 2016 for an additional $11M for a U.S. park system. of excellence a year for park aniel Booker, Chairman in Pittsburgh. “I believe in strong maintenance, ayne and her family Dof the Pittsburgh Parks One of her communities, which rehabilitation Jrecently moved into their Conservancy Board of accomplishments are anchored and capital home in Highland Park. She Directors adds “The bar for includes a by thriving park investments.” She looks forward to life in selecting our next president historic 20-year systems that also developed Pittsburgh. “I amparticularly and CEO was very high, agreement enable emotional, a data driven, attracted to Pittsburgh based on Meg Cheever’s with the City of intellectual criteria-based because of the Conservancy’s magnificent $100-million park Minneapolis. and physical matrix system work to make Pittsburgh parks restoration and revitalization “For the first time development.” that prioritizes the envy of cities around programs.” in Minneapolis – Jayne Miller annual investments the world,” she says.

ENGAGE contact Harmony Hodges at [email protected] or 412.682.7275 x240 Park champions like you A Plan for Allegheny Commons

The Buhl Foundation and Highmark, like improving health and wellbeing, Inc. invest in this historic park increasing economic edicated value, enriching Din 1918 to hanks to the generosity complete. With input from environmental value, acknowledge Tof The Buhl Foundation, the residential, business and and enhancing play. Mary Schenley’s Highmark, Inc., and philanthropic communities, gift of land to Allegheny Commons the MAP determines and oin us at the become Schenley Initiative,the Master Action prioritizes future projects J public meeting Park, the Mary Plan (MAP) for the full based on the park’s on March 8th: Schenley Memorial restoration of the northside’s master plan. This feedback PittsburghParks.org/ A conceptual rendering of the Southeast Fountain sculpture Allegheny Commons is highlighted key focus areas park-events Commons is entitled A Song to Nature. Sculptor Victor David Brenner is perhaps Programs you make possible best known as the designer of the Frick Environmental Center field trips Lincoln penny. The fountain was Brenner’s first You make learning fun for first graders large-scale public project. The earth our support leads young stream habitats unique. god Pan is seen Yminds to explore and Through guided and reclining on a rock discover the outdoors. independent exploration as a nymph above Frick Environmental Center activities, students observe serenades him with a lyre. school programs introduce the organisms that live students of all ages to in these three unique our support enlarged scientific principles. The habitats, and then get the Ygreen space around program for first graders, opportunity to improve called Habitat Explorers, each habitat through group teaches kids about plant stewardship projects like and animal communities. seed bombing or eco art.

abitat Explorers visit aturalist Educator HFrick Park three times NAmber Stacey works throughout the school with these first graders. She Students learn about fungus on a winter nature walk year to learn what makes says, “It isn’t uncommon meadow, woodland, and for the students exploring the meadow encourage others “The best day that a community to express around them to of my life was for animals is called nervousness do the same while going on the a habitat. Next we about bees repeating to others field trip to went back to the when we first what we have Frick Park!” classroom to look at arrive. However, taught them.” – Ella, our bugs and plants by the time first grader under the magnifiers. they leave the hese experiences I felt happy. Then meadow, they Tare fun but we dumped out have calmly educational for the the samples. Finally, we and closely students. Ethan shared his made seed balls to help the watched the story about the field trip to meadow grow new plants. bees collecting Frick Park. “First we learned Going to Frick Park was my Habitat Explorers make bagel birdfeeders pollen and will about communities and favorite field trip!”

2 Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy | January – February 2018 You transform our cherished spaces A Plan for Allegheny Commons Mary Schenley Memorial Fountain You revived a beloved landmark

edicated Din 1918 to acknowledge THEN NOW Mary Schenley’s gift of land to become , the Mary Schenley Memorial A conceptual rendering of the Southeast Fountain sculpture Commons is entitled A Song to Nature. Sculptor

Victor David photo credit Jeremy Marshall Brenner is perhaps best known as the designer of the Lincoln penny. The fountain was Brenner’s first large-scale public project. The earth god Pan is seen reclining on a rock Revived in 2008 in partnership with the City of Pittsburgh Planning Department’s Division of Public Art, the as a nymph above Department of Public Works, and the University of Pittsburgh serenades him with a lyre. the fountain and nighttime reduced amount of paths improved ease of illumination set off the impervious pavement access in accordance our support enlarged burnished bronze figures improves stormwater with the Americans with Ygreen space around and granite basin, a absorption, and aligned Disabilities Act.

Summer camp registration opens February 22nd

ittsburgh Parks Conservancy’s popular summer camps are Punique, age-specific programs held in beautiful Frick Park. Led by Parks Conservancy educators, these five-day camps encourage children to learn, play, and grow in our city’s biggest classrooms: parks!

Camps are for children three years old through youth who have completed 7th grade.

Thanks to generous donors like you, camperships are available for income-eligible families.

Visit www.pittsburghparks.org/summer-camps for Outdoor Expeditions campers kayak more information.

www.pittsburghparks.org 3 Your parks, your stories Dedicated Park Neighbors Dell and Kathy Ziegler believe Highland Park is crucial to the neighborhood

ell and Kathy Ziegler with zoning, gardening, and Dhave been devoted other work. park supporters well before the existence ell and Kathy were of the Pittsburgh Parks Dexcited about the Conservancy. formation of the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy 22 he Zieglers have called years ago. Dell shares “The THighland Park home for arrival of the Conservancy more than 40 years. They was a breath of fresh air, were part of the $125,000 providing money, expertise, neighborhood effort 26 and specialized man/ years ago to build the super woman power that just playground and have been did not exist. When the active within the Highland Conservancy announced Park Community Council plans to restore the old fountain at the entrance in Highland Park, then containing decorative shrubbery, and to create a type of piazza area, I Dell and Kathy’s English Springer Spaniel, Speckles, takes them for walks in the park every day, rain or snow, heat or frigid temperatures had misgivings.” space brought toddlers on the fountain and gardens. ut, the Highland Park bikes, roller skaters, dog “When the opportunity BEntry Garden fountain walkers---a nice diverse came up to show our restoration was a pleasant swath of humanity.” support with a thank you “It is not a good place for me surprise. “It was a success plaque to the Pittsburgh to catch up on reading. When from the get-go. The many he Zieglers supported Parks Conservancy I go there, too often I find benches encouraged this project by someone I would rather talk T people to meet, read, talk dedicating a bench in on a bench near the with, sometimes an old friend, fountain, we jumped at frequently a new acquaintance. or just enjoy the view and the Conservancy’s honor. I can live with that.” activity. The large open Their donation benefits the chance.”

2018 PNC Carousel Pass You and your family can ride the PNC carousel in without tokens all season with a Family Season Pass (valid for two adults and up to four children).

Save $15 off regular price of $60 through May 13th $45 Name______Address ______

Phone______

e-mail______Please return with enclosed envelope or call 412.682.7275 for more information Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy does not solicit contributions from persons or entities in states other than , New York, or Florida.

4 Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy | January – February 2018