photo credit Melissa McMasters

Donor Newsletter October–November 2016 PittsburghParks.org August Wilson Park Celebrates Community Vision A better place for play in the Hill District our support allows a Ycommunity’s vision to come alive. Hill District residents have never failed to believe in the beauty and value of their neighborhood. In the 1970s, they worked to turn a steeply-inclined land parcel into what was then known as Cliffside Park.

y the early 2000s Bthe park was “August Wilson Park is one of many treasures in the Historic Hill seriously deteriorated. District, a place that grabs your heart and invites you back again Led by the and again.” – Terri Baltimore, Hill House Association Parks Conservancy, in partnership with the design decisions and community’s artistic and mounted on the the City of Pittsburgh’s the personal connection heritage. Ten quotes, one fencing of the half- Public Works, Parks, and to park users was a from each of August basketball court that Planning Departments, constant inspiration. Wilson’s ten plays in the hugs the lower edge of and community groups Public input sessions American Century Cycle, the park. including Hill House identified community are installed on a wall at Association and the Cliff priorities for the park, and the park’s lower landing. ecause of you, this Street Block Club, the idea the renovation journey Renowned Pittsburgh Bspecial park is once for a major re-imagining began. photographer Charles again a community began to take shape. “Teenie” Harris’s work jewel. e-opened in August is also close by. Harris’s he steep geography of R2016, August Wilson photographs are printed Tthe site drove many of Park highlights the on windscreen material

ENGAGE contact Harmony Hodges at [email protected] f l w n x or 412.682.7275 x240 Park champions like you Steve Harvan, Urban EcoSteward Volunteer recognized with Jefferson Award for Public Service

s an Urban EcoSteward, removing invasive porcelin berry ASteve has been and garlic mustard. volunteering with the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy for six years. o see the difference you He independently works his “Tmake to the ecology of even own plot for a few hours every one small area is rewarding when month to transform the land. you see the damage invasives can He spends most of his time do in other places.” Invasive plants out compete natives and hurt biodiversity

Programs you make possible Parks Rx is exactly what the doctor ordered You help get kids are three pathways for often to form healthy improved mood, and outside children to participate in habits for their entire overall health,” said Ms. Parks Prescription: through lives. “Every day we Kuchera. “We’re happy to ou may have spent all schools, community see the health benefits be a Pittsburgh Parks Rx Yday playing outside organizations, and of getting kids outside partner, to help put kids as a child. Many children clinical instruction. With on a regular basis, on the trail to a lifetime today don’t get outside your support, children from a reduction in risk of good health.” for playtime. The Pittsburgh are given a custom for childhood weight Parks Conservancy in packet that contains park problems, to increased isit PittsburghParks. partnership with Children’s information and activities muscle strength, Vorg/Rx. Hospital of Pittsburgh to encourage them to of UPMC and a host of play outside. local organizations has developed Pittsburgh nne Marie Kuchera, Parks Prescription AProject Director (Parks Rx). for Community Benefit Initiatives at Children’s his program Hospital of Pittsburgh Temphasizes the of UPMC stresses the importance of getting kids importance of kids into their local parks. There getting outside early and

“The social skills learned outside, and the photo credit Mark Simpson appreciation and respect of your surroundings are key to being healthy, contributing members of a community.” – Lauren Byrne, Executive Director, Lawrenceville United Only 20% of city schools provide opportunities to participate in physical activity outside of class

2 Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy | October – November 2016 You transform our cherished spaces Then and Now: Westinghouse Memorial You restored a masterpiece THEN he Westinghouse Memorial, originally Tfinanced by small donations from over 55,000 Westinghouse employees, encompasses history, art, and natural beauty in . Dedicated in 1930, Architects Henry Hornbostel and Eric Fisher Wood designed the monument photo credit Melissa McMasters and surrounding landscape and (sculptor of the Abraham Lincoln statue in the ) was the sculptor.

ver time the monument and lily pond Odeclined with age. The pond’s plumbing system collapsed and the water drained away, the deteriorating bronze statue was in need of NOW Parks Rx is exactly what the doctor ordered restoration, and the walkways needed some repairs.

hanks to you, with the City of Pittsburgh, the TPittsburgh Parks Conservancy has completed the $2.5 million restoration of the monument, pond, and surrounding landscape, including green photo credit Jeremy Marshall infrastructure elements.

undraising for the ongoing maintenance of Fthis important tribute to one of Pittsburgh’s great industrialists is ongoing.

Leave your legacy in the Park

Did you know that you can support your parks without paying a dime in your lifetime? Your planned gift in your will leaves a legacy all of our children will inherit. To learn more about how you can support the Parks Conservancy through planned giving, photo credit Melissa McMasters please call Kathleen at 412.682.7275 ext. 213 We urge you to consult with your legal and financial advisors to assist you in arranging the best method of contributing.

The Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy is tax-exempt under Section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Service Code. Contributions to the Parks Conservancy are tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law. Keep our parks forever beautiful through planned giving

www.pittsburghparks.org 3 Your parks, your stories Terri Baltimore Hill House Association Director of Neighborhood Engagement is a park friend and activist ong-time champion reenprint for the Hill of August Wilson Park, District, by Walter L G photo credit Scott Roller Terri Baltimore is a vital Hood Design Studio, partner to the Parks envisions reconnecting Conservancy. As the the people of the Hill Director of Neighborhood District to their unique Engagement at Hill landscape and House Association, Terri connecting the Hill Terri Baltimore has given her energy to Hill House Association for 20 has completed many District to the city as a years strategic projects with whole. Produced by a major inaugural instrumental to this local organizations to partnership of Hill House A piece of this vision project’s success. better the community. Association, Community has been realized – the One of these projects is Partners Institute, Hill completed renovation ugust Wilson the Greenprint plan. District Consensus Group, of August Wilson Park. “A Park is a tribute and the Pittsburgh Parks Through the design’s to Hill District residents Conservancy -- the clever use of this and their unshakeable Greenprint provides a challenging space, park- belief that a rejuvenated practical framework goers can have multiple park could rise on the for a beautiful urban experiences and end site of a care worn play landscape around which the day watching the area. It’s a story of the housing, commercial sun set from one of love, patience and development, the city’s best viewing commitment of the transportation, the arts, spots. Terri’s hard work immediate neighbors – Terri Baltimore and Walter Hood and community services and determination on stewards all.” look over the Greenprint plan can be woven. behalf of the Hill was

Parks Rx $50 for 5 prescriptions Parks Rx gets kids into their local parks through connections with their school, community, and healthcare providers. I would like to give $50 for 5 prescriptions Other $

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Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy does not solicit contributions from persons or entities in states other than or New York.

4 Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy | October – November 2016