www.pittsburghparks.org March–April 2015

You bring ’s past into the future Westinghouse Memorial represents your community’s passion

he Westinghouse TMemorial has always been a passion of our community. In 1930, long before Kickstarter, 55,000 Westinghouse employees made small contributions to build a tribute to history- photo credit McMasters Melissa making industrialist in . When the Memorial fell into disrepair, with the pond ultimately drained in 2009, you acted. Thanks to done by artist Daniel Chester Joel Ross, President and ith your help we you, we are approaching French, who also sculpted CEO of Universal Electric Whave raised over the nish line to fund the the seated Lincoln for the Corporation supported the $1.8 million to restore this full restoration of this once- memorial in Washington D.C. restoration. “It is not often important landmark and exquisite space. that a person or a city gets its surrounding landscape. ride in to change the Our remaining fundraising s a work of art alone Pthis tribute “It is not often that world in a big way,” e orts will complete a “A the Memorial is a to one of a person or a city says Ross. “The maintenance fund to worthy tourist attraction,” Pittsburgh’s gets to change the accomplishments ensure the Memorial points out Richard Ekstrom, greatest and world in a big way.” of Mr. remains beautiful into a former Westinghouse often unsung – Joel Ross, Westinghouse, the future. We expect the employee who has avidly industrialists has Universal Electric his partners, his project to break ground taken up the cause for spread beyond Corporation company, this city this spring. restoration. The sculpture was Westinghouse companies. and its people did just that.”

ENGAGE contact Kathleen Gaines at [email protected] or (412) 682-7275 x213 Park champions like you You inspire a new generation The Ellis School’s school community to improve and maintain support local nonpro ts. the quality of our city’s Alternative Gift Shop Your parks have been a parks is demonstrated grateful recipient of this in the work they do and benefi ts your parks photo courtesy The Ellis School support for several years. the positive impact the “The Parks Conservancy is Conservancy has on the ach holiday season the a vital resource to our Pittsburgh community.” EEllis Guild, a student-run local community,” says This year shop-goers group at The Ellis School, Guild Chairs Claire Priore purchased native plant holds an “Alternative Gift and Emily West. “The Parks seedlings in honor of Claire Priore and Emily West lead the Ellis Shop” to encourage their Conservancy’s mission to Frick Park. Guild and Alternative Gift Shop

Programs you make possible You put the buzz in education

PNC supports Growing conversations between pre-k deputy executive director of kids and their families,” says PNC Grow UP Great. Up Great in Homewood Tolliver. e hope to further id you know that photo credit Scott Roller ver the next year we Wengage the Dfrom birth to ve Owill develop six weeks Homewood community, years old children’s brains of workshops with our which edges Frick Park, but are rapidly developing? balletic partner. All of the uses the space less than This is prime time for organizations involved neighbors in Squirrel Hill Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy developing vocabulary are known for quality or Point Breeze. “Part of and communication skills. Homewood Nature Educator Will Tolliver programming and while the the point is to reach out to Buzzword is part of the PNC kids are learning we are also them and encourage them Grow up Great initiative. Buzzword program this learning from each other as to in turn reach out to us,” The program pairs six arts year in partnership with educators. “PNC welcomes says Tolliver. and science-based “Research shows our friends the opportunity organizations to that families play a at Pittsburgh to partner work together in vital role in helping Ballet Theatre. with these the Homewood their children “Together organizations community of build essential we develop to help develop Pittsburgh. vocabulary skills.” cohesive children’s – Sally McCrady, deputy lessons on vocabulary ur energetic executive director of the themes through creative Homewood PNC Grow Up Great O of dance and and engaging Nature Educator, Will Tolliver, photo credit John Altdorfer nature to promote literary- programming leads the Parks Conservancy’s focused interactions and that brings young children Join us for one of our free Buzzword workshops and their families for pre-K kids beginning in April together,” says Learn more at www.pittsburghparks.org/buzzword Sally McCrady, Children in the Homewood community interacting with nature and Parks Conservancy educators 2 Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy | March – April 2015 You transform our cherished spaces Then and Now: Riverview Chapel Shelter You restored Pittsburgh’s most THEN popular gathering place

he oldest building in Riverview TPark, the Chapel Shelter was built in the 1800s as the Watson Presbyterian Church at Perrysville and Riverview Avenues. When a new church was built in 1894, the original building was moved into the park where it became a popular destination for picnics and events.

y the 1990s, the building was NOW Binfested with termites and scheduled for demolition. Thanks to your support we were able to open the fully restored structure and surrounding landscape in 2008. It has become the most rented shelter in the park system.

The 2015 PNC Pittsburgh Parks

Conservancy Spring Hat Luncheon photo credit McMasters Melissa will be held in Riverview Park on May 2nd just steps away from this gem. Contact Savannah for info at (412) 682-7275 x205.

Hats off for all you do 2015 PNC Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy Spring Hat Luncheon

The Spring Hat Luncheon The fi rst Hat Luncheon was The event rotates between was founded in 1999 to held in Frick Park. Thanks to Pittsburgh’s four regional support the operations the dedicated leadership of parks – Frick, Schenley, of the Pittsburgh Parks community volunteers 350 Highland and Riverview Conservancy. people attended. and generates awareness

of the Pittsburgh Parks photo credit Stan Franzos Each year Hat Luncheon The event now is attended Conservancy in local media. attendees purchase trees by over 600 people each year to be planted in the park and has raised more than $6 hosting the event. million in total for the parks.

www.pittsburghparks.org 3 Your parks, your stories Country living in the city – The Speyers

Three generations ended up in a gully at the base of the course, an inspired by parks adventure that still makes or Alexander Speyer III, him laugh. In the early 1950s FSchenley Park is family he trapped rabbits on the tradition. He grew up border of the park. “The adjacent to the park, as did Game Commission paid 50 his father and grandfather. “I cents a rabbit,” he recalls. understood at a young age photo credit Scott Roller that if you live near a park efore him his father, you don’t need to live in the BAlexander Speyer, Jr., country,” says Speyer, who lived with his parents on now lives near Frick Park. Bartlett Street. Speyer, Jr. used to walk through Alex and Silvia Speyer beside the historic fountain they restored for Schenley Park rowing up on Forbes the park extensively with GAvenue near the golf his parents. Often their two years ago. While on the named after the horse of course, Speyer had the foot-journeys took them board, he made generous Alexander the Great). childhood of a country boy. past the Westinghouse gifts to restore fountains in One winter his toboggan Memorial on Schenley Drive Schenley Park as well as the hen the beside Carnegie Mellon stairs going into Panther Wfundraising for the University. Later Hollow. Westinghouse Memorial in life Speyer, restoration began a few Jr. moved to ff ection for Schenley years ago, Speyer III made Northumberland APark began with a generous leadership gift Street and Alexander Speyer, Sr. Once to the project in honor of served as a board there were stables at the his family and the park. member for the Schenley Oval and the “My father would have Pittsburgh Parks dirt track hosted races. loved this project,” he says. Conservancy It was here that Speyer, “My grandfather would until shortly Sr. boarded his beloved have wanted to support Stables were built at the Oval in 1911 and horses were before his death horse Bucephalus (aptly it too.” kept there for racing until it tragically burned in 1971

Run Forests, Run! Are you running in the Pittsburgh Marathon on May 3rd? Your dedication and accomplishment will inspire people. photo credit Christopher Porter ickr Support the parks you love to run in!

Join us or support the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy team at www.crowdrise.com/pittsburghparksconservancy

4 Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy | March – April 2015