www.pittsburghparks.org January–February 2015

You’re renewing the spirit of ’s most historic park Allegheny Commons fountain to spring back to life

uilt in 1867 by the Bthen City of Allegheny, the Northside’s Allegheny Commons is Pittsburgh’s image credit Carlos Peterson oldest park. Known in part for being home to many of the city’s oldest trees and its wide Victorian- era promenade (to accommodate large hoop down due to city budget Commons at the intersection reconstruction of the skirts as ladies passed), constraints. Now, with your of Cedar and North Avenues. historic fountain and Allegheny Commons is help and in partnership with We do so with your help surrounding gardens, as the front yard for several of the Allegheny and in partnership well as restoration of the Pittsburgh’s most diverse Commons “This park was with the Allegheny promenade and other neighborhoods. Initiative and kept and sustained Commons walk ways, installation of the Northside by Pittsburghers Initiative and new signage, benches and n 1999 citizens formed Leadership before our time till the Northside lighting. Your support will Ia group, the Allegheny Conference, the now and it must Leadership transform a corner of the Commons Initiative, and Pittsburgh Parks survive for the new Conference. park that needs help into a completed a master plan Conservancy families.” vibrant place for the 17,000 for the park in 2002. The will oversee – Patricia Rooney, he fountain nearby residents and our park originally featured four the design and Northside resident Trestoration whole city. spectacular fountains. Over construction of comprises time each of these fountains the $2.5 million restoration approximately one city has been filled or shut of the fountain in the North block, which includes

ENGAGE contact Kathleen Gaines at [email protected] or (412) 682-7275 x213 Park champions like you Helping maintain fountains to flowers

Colcom Foundation Square is that magic for the keep in is protecting your Colcom Foundation’s John excellent condition is Rohe. “Mellon Square is a important to Rohe. “A investment in rare gem in our city”, says space must be worthy of

Mellon Square Rohe. The Square aligns our affection and sense photo credit Scott Roller perfectly with Cordelia May’s of it as home.” says Rohe. atching your passion hope that the Foundation “The Parks Conservancy’s Mand mission with could help our city’s public maintenance plan makes the ideal project takes spaces be nurturing and Colcom Foundation thought, dedication, and inspiring. The establishment proud to be a part of John F. Rohe, Vice President – Philanthropy a bit of magic. Mellon of a maintenance fund to this home.” and Secretary of the Colcom Foundation

Programs you make possible You rise to the challenge for education

Davita Colker Bryant “We are delighted that apart. In remembrance of so many people gave so their girls’ love of nature & Laura Michele generously. Thanks to each and play, this endowed Colker Fund to benefit and every person who has fund will provide annual been involved.” support to Pittsburgh education programming Parks Conservancy – Lynne and Alan Colker environmental education Davita and Laura’s parents Lynne programs in perpetuity ast summer, Lynne and and Alan Colker established an with the goal to make Alan Colker challenged Laura Michele Colker Fund L endowment in their daughters’ to honor the memories of them accessible to as you to meet their $50,000 memory many Pittsburgh children matching gift to ensure their two daughters who tragically passed decades as possible. that Parks Conservancy family and begun a new education programs would legacy of education for be able to begin drawing our parks. We look forward support from the fund in to watching Pittsburgh’s 2015. You responded with children benefit from it. resounding generosity and more than $71,000 was n 2008 longtime Squirrel raised for nature education. IHill residents Lynne and With your kindness you Alan Colker established have filled the hearts of a the Davita Colker Bryant &

To join the legacy of support for our education programs through the Colker Fund visit www.pittsburghparks.org/colker or call Kathleen at (412) 682-7275 x213 Kids in our programs are celebrating your support for education 2 Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy | January – February 2015 You transform our cherished spaces Helping maintain fountains to flowers Then and Now: Mellon Square

Spring re-opening April 1st You restored a masterpiece in 2014 NOW

THEN photo credit John Altdorfer 2010 credit photo ince Mellon Square place in May 2014. The You rise to the challenge for education Sopened to fanfare in Square re-opened with 1955 it has served as the 15% more usable space green oasis in the city. thanks to a grassy terrace This beloved park space over the Smithfield Street began to show serious shops. At night the space deterioration by the is aglow with 400 newly beginning of the 21st installed LED lights to century, but continued to illuminate pathways and attract visitors. the two breathtaking fountains. You will be 2014 photo credit © Ed Massery hanks to your contri- welcomed by 10,000 Tbutions, the Pittsburgh perennial blooms when Parks Conservancy the square re-opens for the completed the $10 million season on April 1st. restoration of this historic 2014 Volunteers in Action A fun look at things you accomplished last year

All 1,800 of you could have You cleared 450 bags of trash, You donated 6,500 hours of filled Carnegie Music Hall, approximately the amount your time when you could almost to its 1,950-seat one person will generate have watched 331 Harry capacity. over nine years. Potter movie marathons photo credit Scott Roller instead. You cleared or built 835 feet You filled 270 garbage bags of trails. Almost as long as with garlic mustard. We You planted the equivalent Pittsburgh’s tallest building, figure that could feed every of one tree every day. the 841-foot US Steel Tower. Pittsburgher some pesto. The Pirate Parrot lends a wing

www.pittsburghparks.org 3 Your parks, your stories Love in the Parks Lynne Glover and Paul Alessio Pittsburgh Parks idea where we were, but it was one of the greatest Conservancy donors adventures ever!” she says. celebrate love of er passion for the nature and each other Houtdoors thrived, in Schenley Park especially when she found Paul. After meeting at a he parks you support Lucinda Williams concert, Tprovide cherished they spent lots of time in memories for people in nature in our city parks our region. First steps and traveling together. are taken, first kisses Years later, Lynne and Paul are shared, proposals wed in Schenley Park. given and accepted, and Both graduated from Pitt, Lynne Glover and Paul Alessio will celebrate their 10th wedding anniversary back at the Schenley Park Café and Visitor Center in June 2016 the laughter of families finding escape in the experiencing the magic of park on bike rides and nature happens every year hikes while in college, so Schenley Park Café and the Urban Redevelopment in your parks. Visitor Center was the Authority, share time in perfect spot. “Everyone their neighborhood park, aul Alessio and Lynne says that that it was one of Arsenal, with their kids and

PGlover experienced photo credit McMasters Melissa the best weddings they’d grandchildren and enjoy that magic, and they hold ever been to,” says Lynne. concerts at . our parks as dear to their hearts as they do each he couple has ext year Lynne and other. Lynne remembers Tcelebrated almost nine NPaul will celebrate when her love of nature years together. Lynne, their tenth anniversary in became clear. “Once at a The Schenley Park Café and Visitor Communications Director Schenley Park. The magic park picnic, my best friend Center was fully restored in 2002 at VisitPITTSBURGH and lives on. We love stories and I got lost. We had no thanks to your support Paul, Project Manager at with happy endings.

Put your love on display with the gift of park flowers Your $50 donation allows us to plant 25 bulbs in the parks. We’ll send your sweetheart a card to let them know what a romantic you are. Contact Parks Florist Kathleen at 412.682.7275 x213 or [email protected] to arrange your gift $ or visit us on the web at www.pittsburghparks.org/giveagift 50

4 Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy | January – February 2015