Fall 2010 - The Voice by Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy

Fall 2010

Frick Park lost two acres of trees in the Kensington Trail Area due to oak wilt this past spring.

Park trees threatened by disease, insects Pittsburgh has over 2,000 acres of parkland within the four RADfunded parks, and almost half of that is dense urban forest. The ecological health of this land is currently threatened with extensive tree loss due to diseases, invasive species, and deer overbrowse. Oak Wilt In spring 2010, two acres of land in Frick Park were clear cut in an attempt to contain an outbreak of oak wilt disease, a contagious, fatal fungus which attacks oak trees. Three more acres were lost in Highland Park in the late summer, and more trees were removed from Riverview in the fall. Unfortunately, even more trees are expected to be removed due to oak wilt infection in the coming years. A healthy tree can be inoculated against oak wilt, but once the disease has taken hold in a tree, death is likely. Since oak wilt can spread through the root system of a stand of trees, it is difficult to contain. Dutch elm disease also remains present in our area, killing off the sparse remnants of American elm trees.

Emerald Ash Borer The emerald ash borer (EAB) is a “major threat” to the ash trees in North American hardwood forests according to the U.S.D.A.’s Forest service. EAB is an exotic beetle native to Asia. Its larvae, feeding on the inner bark of ash trees, disrupt an ash tree’s ability to transport water and nutrients and the tree usually dies within a few years of infestation. In our area, the ash borer was first sighted in 2007. Our urban ash tree population will likely be very hard hit in the coming year as emerald ash borer continues its invasion of the Pittsburgh area. It is possible, but very expensive, to treat affected trees---perhaps $160 per tree. Schenley, Frick, Highland and Riverview Parks, together contain an estimated 68,000 ash trees, or 16% of the entire tree population of the four largest Pittsburgh parks according to a study recently completed by Biohabitats, Inc. for the City of Pittsburgh. Deer Overbrowse With no natural predators, white tail deer have had a population spurt in western Pennsylvania in

recent years. Hungry deer foraging for food eat many of the young plants and trees composing the forest’s understory in our large parks. As long ago as 2002, Dr. Ann Rhoades, of the University of Pennsylvania’s Morris Arboretum and author of Trees of Pennsylvania, toured our large parks and said that Riverview and Frick Parks were particularly subject to deer overbrowse. While the park woodlands can look intact because of their canopy of mature trees, over time, the canopy will disintegrate if no new trees are allowed to grow in the understory. Pittsburgh’s park trees provide benefits ranging from improving water quality, absorbing carbon dioxide, and producing oxygen, to stabilizing the steep park slopes and providing serenity for the park user. The City of Pittsburgh and the Parks Conservancy have very limited resources to prevent and treat any of these threats. Staff time and all available resources will be devoted to combating the challenges, removing dead trees, and planting other native species of trees. We are also contacting experts in government and academia to

These images of the north side of Frick Park show the terrible impact of tree removal to halt the spread of oak wilt.

enlist their aid, and plan to partner with the Pittsburgh Shade Tree Commission, Tree Pittsburgh and other local non-profits focused on trees, to combat these attacks on our park tree population. To support these efforts and ensure that our urban forest will stand tall for future generations, use the attached envelope or visit pittsburghparks.org/trees.

Six miles of trails restored in Pittsburgh’s parks page 3

Mary Jane Bent

Innovative techniques manage stormwater in City parks page 2

John Altdorfer

in this issue Pittsburgh celebrates the 1960 World Series Champions page 5

Message from the President Dear Friends of Pittsburgh Parks, It was an electrifying moment when, during an October public meeting on Frick Park, Citiparks Deputy Director Dick Skrinjar, said, “We need to think of Pittsburgh as a city in a park, not the other way around.” I couldn’t agree more. With 10 years of improvements in the historic regional parks and a 20% increase in usership, the Regional Parks Master Plan (which covers Frick, Schenley, Highland and Riverview Parks) has proven its validity and worth as a guiding document. After jointly developing the plan in 2000, we and our partners in City agencies have learned a lot about what works and doesn’t. Also, a number of things have changed since then: for example, new parkland has been added at Frick and the Environmental Center burned to the ground; Schenley Plaza has been reclaimed; landslides have hit Riverview Park; the Microfiltration Plant has been constructed at Highland Park, keeping the reservoir

uncovered; pests and disease are attacking the woodlands; and a strong corps of volunteer stewardship has flourished and grown. It’s now time for the public-private partnership of the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy and the City of Pittsburgh to update the Regional Parks Master Plan with a new generation of park users, applying what we’ve learned, adjusting to change, and setting the course for the next 10-20 years. We seek your input. Now that the Parks Conservancy is working in a variety of community parks all across Pittsburgh, we will outline how the principles and guidelines of the master plan can be applied to them as well. We’ve reassembled the original multi-disciplinary consultant team to lead this effort – a rare and wonderful chance to ensure continuity of knowledge and purpose. The summer and fall of 2010 were focused on involving park users through Walks in the Woods and a series of workshops. If you attended one of these, thank you. You can also

find information about the plan update on our website at pittsburghparks.org. Your pathway to ongoing involvement with the master plan is our feedback forum at pittsburghparks.yuku.com. Go there to review results of the public input sessions and to review the draft plan documents as they are developed over the next six months. I encourage you to post comments and ideas there, as well as on the Parks Conservancy blog at pittsburghparks.wordpress.com. We are honored once again to be partnering with the City, in that the Master Plan Update will become part of the City’s new Comprehensive Plan, “PlanPGH.” To learn more about that citywide effort, go to their website at planpgh.com.

Innovative techniques manage stormwater in City parks

Government Representatives: Mayor Luke Ravenstahl, City of Pittsburgh Chief Executive Dan Onorato, Allegheny County State Representative Dan Frankel Noor Ismail, Director of City Planning, City of Pittsburgh Rob Kaczorowski, Director of Public Works, City of Pittsburgh Mike Radley, Director of Parks and Recreation, City of Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh is graced with a collection of parks that have been designed with skill and imagination by landscape architects, engineers, master gardeners, and horticulturists. The parks reflect the aesthetic principles, environmental concerns, horticultural practices, and technological innovations of their day. With the varied topography and turn-of-thecentury infrastructure come challenging issues such as crumbling terracotta drainage pipes and scoured streambeds. The Parks Conservancy is committed to addressing the The improved Faloon Ribbon drainage will help prevent damage from inevitable problems of an aging designed landscape with stormwater in the Panther Hollow Watershed. respect for its historic design. GAI Consultants, Inc. In Schenley Park, an area that was ravaged The ribbon has been reengineered with cross by storms has been re-engineered as part of a vanes of rock and live-plant wattles that will larger effort to control stormwater in the park. slow the flow of surface water. Root growth The “Faloon Ribbon” drainage is located enables the ground to absorb even more water. north of the Faloon Trail and south of the This helps reduce major runoff events and keep Bob O’Connor Golf Course. The ribbon was streams flowing during dry weather. Native previously paved with asphalt in an attempt to plant species restore a more diverse habitat. manage stormwater overflows, which ended up “The Parks Conservancy is committed creating a direct route for water to run from to working with the City of Pittsburgh to the golf course into the Panther Hollow valley, reduce stormwater runoff in the parks, but it tearing out soil and vegetation. is a complex process with no quick fix,” said “The paved valley served as a stormwater Phil Gruszka, Parks Conservancy Director of expressway carrying eroded soil toward Management and Maintenance. Panther Hollow Lake. We’ve removed the The improvements will decrease pavement and provided a new path which maintenance costs for the City of Pittsburgh. includes natural-looking ‘speed bumps’ and “Fewer washouts mean a better trail system for native vegetation to slow erosion,” said design the park user. The City of Pittsburgh is thrilled engineer Dave Cooper of PBS&J. with the accomplishments of the Trail and “Retaining water at the Faloon Ribbon will Sign Improvement Project,” said Mike Gable, help in the effort to prevent severe stormwater Deputy Director of the Department of Public events in the Panther Hollow watershed,” Works for the City of Pittsburgh. added John Weber, senior lead engineer for

Fall 2010

parks. In addition to directional signs, new interpretive signs will tell about park history, wildlife, and restoration efforts. With our City partners, the Parks Conservancy’s Department of Management and Maintenance will pay increased attention to these newly restored landscapes, monitoring them for maintenance issues and assigning Urban EcoStewards. In order to access the federal funding the Parks Conservancy raised approximately $700,000 in matching donations from the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, local foundations, corporations, Congressman Mike Doyle indicated that park projects like these and the Pittsburgh community. are a great fit for federal transportation funding.

John Altdorfer

Congressman Mike Doyle and Senator Arlen Specter obtained more than $3 million in federal funding for trail improvements for Pittsburgh’s four largest parks back in 2005. On September 27, 2010, the Parks Conservancy and City of Pittsburgh held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the trail and sign improvements made throughout the four parks. Construction began in Fall 2009 for the $3.8 million project managed by the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy and the City of Pittsburgh’s Department of Public Works. The improvements to trail surfaces prevent runoff and erosion while creating a safer environment for park users. Crews also are installing nearly 100 new signs throughout the four regional

John Altdorfer

Nearly six miles of trails restored in Pittsburgh’s parks

A ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrated the Trail and Sign Improvement Project. Pictured from left to right: Ken Wolfe of State Representative Wheatley’s office, Councilman Patrick Dowd, Dan Cessna of PennDOT, Congressman Mike Doyle, Meg Cheever, Councilwoman Natalia Rudiak, Tracy Stack of DCNR, City Controller Michael Lamb, Public Works Director Rob Kaczorowski of the City of Pittsburgh, Councilman Doug Shields, Citiparks Director Mike Radley of the City of Pittsburgh, Schenley Park Foreman John Russo, and Riverview Park Foreman Bob Lacki.

Volunteers improve Cliffside Park Volunteers worked in collaboration with the Center for Organ Recovery & Education, the Cliff Street Block Club, Hill House Association, and Parks Conservancy staff removing invasive plants and installing trees in a level lot across the street from the park.

Mary Jane Bent

On September 29, University of Pittsburgh volunteers worked to beautify Cliffside Park in the Hill District for the United Way’s 19th annual Day of Caring. The University of Pittsburgh also worked in the Hill District on October 16 for the third annual Make a Difference Day.

Volunteers helped clean up Cliffside Park and plant trees in the Hill District on the Day of Caring.

New LED lights decrease City costs, increase park safety Highland, Riverview, and Schenley Parks received a new amenity in July that improved park safety while cutting energy and maintenance costs for the City of Pittsburgh. Jenn Feng Light Company provided 344 LED light fixtures that were installed in the three parks this year. The 120W fixtures were valued at over $400,000 and replace nearly 100% of the park lighting. The new lights were placed strategically to eliminate dark spots and increase safety for park users. The LED fixtures give off a bright white light, making it easier to see objects, distinguish colors and detail, and recognize faces. New LED lights increase visibility in the parks, creating a safer park atmosphere and lowering City maintenance costs. With this installation, the City’s energy costs will reduced maintenance costs. Life expectancy alternative beginning in 2011. Mayor Luke decrease by approximately of the new lights is approximately 50,000 Ravenstahl and the Parks Conservancy endorse 40%, and the nighttime light levels will hours longer than the old fixtures. The City the Department of Public Works’ efforts to increase. The City parks will also have a is planning to change all 40,000 lights in the increase sustainability within the City of significantly smaller carbon footprint and City of Pittsburgh to this energy-efficient Pittsburgh.

Councilman Peduto seeks to unite Mellon Park The 35-acre Mellon Park in Shadyside offers park users recreational resources to the north and historical amenities to the south. Fifth Avenue bisects the park, creating two sections of parkland that are so different, some park users don’t realize that it is the same park. Councilman Bill Peduto held two community meetings to focus discussion on the need to improve and reconnect Mellon Park through a comprehensive master plan. The historical south section of the park, which contains the newly restored Walled Garden, has an existing master plan that was developed in 2001.

“A comprehensive master plan will create a safer and more unified park for City residents. Crossing Fifth Avenue is dangerous and undesirable for many nearby residents, so we’re hoping to not only unify the park but create physical connections,” said Councilman Peduto. When funded and completed, the new plan will serve as a resource for the entire park, uniting the two sides of Fifth Avenue. The Mellon Park Master Plan will integrate visitor needs, such as the development of key park amenities like public restrooms, with history and ecology. “Establishing connections in Mellon Park is

a crucial step to make it a better place for the park user. The Parks Conservancy is excited to work with the City of Pittsburgh and Councilman Peduto to seek funding and to develop an overall plan for Mellon Park,” said Meg Cheever, President and CEO of the Parks Conservancy. Mellon Park is bordered by Shadyside, Point Breeze, Homewood, East Liberty, and Squirrel Hill. If you would like to support the development of a plan for Mellon Park, please visit pittsburghparks.org/donate.

Revealing Nature through Journaling Presented by the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy in partnership with Audubon of Western Pennsylvania and the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Bureau of Parks

Saturday November 13th, 9:30 am - 3:00pm Beechwood Farms Nature Reserve, Bluebird Room $25 (includes lunch and materials) Instructor Heidi Mullendore is the park naturalist for Canoe Creek State Park. She is a certiﬁed teacher with a passion for nature and love of art. This workshop will teach the satisfaction of recording nature with user-friendly writing and drawing techniques. During the workshop, you will make and take home your own nature journal. Dress for the weather as a good portion of the workshop will be outdoors. Register at pittsburghparks.org/naturejournaling.

The northern side of Mellon Park offers great opportunities for recreation.

Fall 2010

The 50th anniversary of Bill Mazeroski’s legendary home run that won the 1960 World Series for the Pirates was celebrated on October 13. A public unveiling in Schenley Plaza of Mr. Mazeroski’s sidewalk plaque was held near the intersection of Schenley and Roberto Clemente Drives. Following the unveiling, several thousand people listened to a radio rebroadcast of the final game with the Game 7 Gang at the remnant of the Forbes Field outfield wall. A reception and black-tie dinner were held that evening at PNC Park with proceeds benefitting the Parks Conservancy and Pirates Charities. Honorary Co-Chairs for the event included Doug Danforth, Bob Nutting, Arnold Palmer, Dave Roderick, Jim Rohr, Vin Sarni, Dick Thornburgh, and Tom Usher. Frank Coonelly and Mel Rex were Event Co-Chairs. The event was attended by 11 members of the winning 1960 team and 400 of their friends, family, and fans.

Mary Jane Bent

Pittsburgh celebrates the 1960 World Series

Thousands attended a free celebration of the 1960 World Series win at Schenley Plaza that included a plaque dedication and rebroadcast of the famous game.

Text 2 Give

Mary Jane Bent

Text PARKS to 85944 and donate $5 to the Parks Conservancy.

*Please note that this one-time $5 donation will be added to your phone bill for this month.

Pirates alumni from the 1960 World Series team enjoy the rebroadcast of Game 7 along Forbes Field Wall across from Schenley Plaza.

Unique Spaces, Memorable Events

For information, call 412.682.7275 x201 for Schenley Plaza and 412.687.1800 for the Schenley Park Café and Visitor Center. www.pittsburghparks.org

SCHENLEY PLAZA

Mary Jane Bent

From small weddings to large graduation parties, lectures to baby showers, these convenient locations offer rich backdrops, flexible arrangements, and easy access to one of the city’s most vibrant areas.

SCHENLEY PARK CAFÉ AND VISITOR CENTER

Bill Mazeroski (center) at the unveiling of a bronze and granite sidewalk plaque in his honor near Schenley Plaza with Pittsburgh Pirates President Frank Coonelly (right) and Richard Reed (left), COO and Executive Vice President of the Parks Conservancy.

Schenley Plaza ends fifth season on a high note

Phil Gruszka, Director of Parks Management and Maintenance, talks about trees and managing the park environment. If you have questions for Phil, please email info@pittsburghparks.org with “Phil” in the subject. We will do our best to address them. Why are trees so important to a park? The useful life of a street tree is estimated at seven years; the useful life of a park tree is estimated to be 60 years. Trees planted in parks have the potential for a much longer life span than those planted in sidewalk cut outs and along our streets. Their root systems are not limited by constraints of the built environment and their canopies can sprawl without having to worry about power lines and roofs. They provide far more than meets the eye. Trees alter the environment in which we live by moderating climate, improving air quality, conserving water, and harboring wildlife. In Pittsburgh, they help stabilize steep slopes, preventing soil erosion. Trees provide the park system with many environmental benefits, but they also offer a serene, peaceful, restful, and tranquil environment. Why are non-native, invasive trees harmful? Don’t all trees improve our park environment? It is important for the park to have a balanced ecology comprised of native trees, shrubs, grasses, and flowers. Invasive trees often dominate an ecosystem by wiping out native trees. For example, the Norway maple, an extremely invasive non-native tree, is shade tolerant, can seed in under large native trees, and does very well in the understory. While occupying the understory, it produces a large number of seeds that are dispersed by the wind, furthering the invasion of the urban forest. The dense canopy formed by the Norway maple inhibits the regeneration of other tree seedlings, reducing forest diversity. The alarming fact is that the Norway maple tree exudes an herbicide from its leaves, trunk and shallow roots, which kills other trees. As large, native trees are choked out, the Norway maple is released, becoming the dominant tree species. Unfortunately, there are cases where we are forced to leave the aggressive Norway maple. When oak wilt decimated three acres of a steep slope in Highland Park, we had to leave the Norway maple trees in order to stabilize the slope and avoid erosion. We plan to monitor this area carefully and remove the Norway maples as native plants begin to repopulate the area.

Invasive Advisor Invasive plants choke out the biodiversity of our natural areas – even in our own back yards. Many of the plants are non-native, meaning they were not part of our original habitat, but were introduced from other countries, often for gardening and landscaping. With few or no natural enemies, these plants can now be seen taking over entire landscapes. Learn to recognize and control invasive species by picking up Plant Invaders of the Mid-Atlantic Natural Areas at the Schenley Park Café and Visitor Center. You can also find an Invasive Plants of Pittsburgh guide on our website. Please avoid planting these aggressors in your own garden.

Goutweed Common name: Goutweed, Bishop’s weed Scientific name: Aegopodium podagraria Origin: Europe

Richard Old, XID Services, Inc., Bugwood.org

Philosophy

John Altdorfer

The award-winning Plaza wrapped up its fifth season on October 24 with a Halloween Kids Day. The 2010 season featured lunchtime music during the week, free yoga on Mondays and Saturdays, and cardio boot camp on Sunday mornings. Great events like the WYEP Final Fridays, the WYEP Music Fest, and the Pittsburgh Jazz Society’s Jazz Day in the Park, sponsored by First Niagara, brought thousands to the Plaza. The Plaza welcomed its one millionth visitor earlier this year at a July celebration with activities and prizes for park visitors. Monthly Kids Days featured face painting, free carousel rides, and other kid-friendly activities, and the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh held their annual Summer Reading Extravaganza. The “Milky Way” kiosk was added to the array of food options, including “Asia Tea House,” “the Bagel Factory,” and “Opa Gyros.” In 2011, a new full-service restaurant will open in Schenley Plaza. Jazz Day in the Park was a popular event bringing avid fans to the Plaza.

Description: Goutweed is a member of the carrot family, and produces flower clusters similar to Queen Anne’s Lace in mid-summer. The leaves are divided into three groups of three toothed leaflets. Flowering shoots can grow over three feet tall. Ecological Threat: Most types of eastern deciduous forests are vulnerable to goutweed invasion. Infestations can usually be traced to abandoned or ill-kept gardens. The leaves form a short, dense canopy that displaces native species. Management Options: Most reproduction is through vigorous rhizome growth. This means that it is hard to control, as any root sections left in the ground will quickly re-sprout; therefore, roots should only be removed from small patches or the edge of a patch. Flowering stems can be cut and removed from the site. Alternatives: Allegheny pachysandra, wintergreen, or bunchberry.

Fall 2010 Calendar

Board Spotlight: State Representative Dan B. Frankel

November 13

This Nature Journaling workshop will take you from the joy of uninterrupted observation to the satisfaction of recording nature with user-friendly writing and drawing techniques. The $25 workshop includes lunch and materials. RSVP at pittsburghparks. org/naturejournaling. Beechwood Nature Reserve, 9:30 a.m.

A native Pittsburgher, Dan B. Frankel has served as State Representative for the 23rd Legislative District in Allegheny County since 1998. He grew up using Pittsburgh’s park system, is a current member of the Parks Conservancy’s Board of Directors, and has been a dedicated supporter by advocating for funding for Schenley Plaza and continuing his support with the Environmental Center at Frick Park.

November 21

This Healthy Park workshop provides an introduction to methods for slowing and cleaning park storm water -- an important way to improve water quality throughout the region. During the workshop you will practice some of the techniques by doing a stream bank stabilization project along Panther Hollow Run. Cost is $10 and space is limited. Please register by November 15 at pittsburghparks.org/ watershedhealth or by calling 412-682-7275, ext. 227. Schenley Park, 1 p.m.

What’s your favorite Parks Conservancy project? Schenley Plaza. The Conservancy took a parking lot and turned it into a community square. It’s such a huge improvement, and it’s amazing to see the mix of people that use it. Why are parks important to cities? I’ve travelled a great deal and lived elsewhere, including New York City, and I can’t think of a more unique system of parks, nestled into neighborhoods. Parks are essential to quality of life in the City; they’re part of what makes us “The Most Livable City.”

Representative Frankel overlooks Frick Park.

Tree Symposium Frick Fine Arts Auditorium

How have you witnessed the Parks Conservancy improve Pittsburgh? Under the Conservancy, each park has had a significant, meaningful, and symbolic rejuvenation. I remember when Meg came up with the idea, and I thought it was a great idea but was honestly pretty skeptical. I thought it might be too grandiose. I am glad that I was wrong; the results are monumental.

You are supportive of the Environmental Center at Frick Park. Why do you believe that this project is so important? I was delighted to secure funding for a feasibility study for this great education tool for people in the middle of a vibrant neighborhood. Even better, there are several schools which can use the center, all within walking distance.

How do the parks improve public health? Parks are great places where class and economic

Read more of our interview at pittsburghparks. wordpress.com

February 17

March 10 - 12 Parks are Free Film Festival Pittsburgh Center for the Arts May 7

Spring Hat Luncheon Riverview Park For more information, visit parksarefree.com or pittsburghparks.org/calendar.

distinction melt away, and you see people from every generation. They offer active recreation and opportunities to improve both physical and mental health -- a place to socialize and decompress.

2010

Tour Ireland’s historic and beautiful urban parks

Photo Contest

The Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy is offering an opportunity for our supporters to tour Ireland’s famous urban parks and gardens in June 2011. The eight-day tour includes the eastern and western coasts of Ireland, highlighting key locations like Phoenix Park in Dublin, one of the largest urban parks in the world at just under 1,800 acres. If you wish to receive updates as details develop, visit pittsburghparks.org/Ireland or contact Bill Ferguson at 412.682.7275x209.