Page 2
Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy Newsletter
MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT ost Pittsburghers have probably heard of such civic pioneers as Edward Bigelow, Mary Schenley and Henry Clay Frick, who preserved the city’s green spaces to create a thriving park system at the turn of the century. But many may not know about another leader who demonstrated such environmental foresight that we are emulating his restoration techniques today. In the 1930s, Pittsburgh’s parks gained an effective advocate in landscape architect and Parks Superintendent Ralph E. Griswold. A graduate of Cornell University in 1916, Griswold studied in France and Italy where he won the Rome Prize in 1920 and spent three years as the Fellow of Landscape Architecture at the American Academy in Rome. In 1927 he moved to Pittsburgh and collaborated on the design for Chatham Village before becoming Park Superintendent from 1934 to 1945. One of 160 individuals selected for inclusion in Charles A. Birnbaum’s book, Pioneers of American Landscape Design, Griswold was instrumental in stabilizing eroding park slopes by planting hearty species, most of them native, during a time when ornamental species were popular. He also worked to fund innovative recreation and natural science education opportunities in the parks. When Bigelow Boulevard was widened in 1941, the State Highway Department made no provisions for landscaping the steep, bare slopes, but after an anonymous donation allowed for more study, Griswold worked with landscape architects to create a plan to stabilize the slope with plantings. While some of these plants we now recognize as invasive, the practice of planting to reduce erosion and restore an ecosystem was ahead of its time. Although Griswold died in 1981, we owe a lot to him and other landscape architects who initiated these environmental practices. The Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy is hard at work in all four parks removing non-native, invasive plant species and shoring up eroded hillsides. Techniques we use today include laying jute matting, cribbing trees to support root structures, rebuilding trails and planting native species. That a prominent landscape architect was Park Superintendent is a feather in Pittsburgh’s cap. As early as the 1930s, our parks were thought of as designed environments that needed to be cared for with ecological sensitivity. We have a great legacy and the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy and the City are working diligently to uphold the standards set by those pioneers.
M
Letters To The Editor
We want your feedback. The Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy welcomes letters to the editor. Letters may be edited. All submissions become the property of the PPC. Please send them to: The Voice, 2000 Technology Drive, Suite #300, Pittsburgh, PA 15219.
PPC Brochures Make a Statement After reading your newsletter and glossy brochure you sent us, we felt supporting the PPC was a really important way to help our community. Annie Weidman
Park Playgrounds Win International Praise I recently had guests who had lived all over western Europe. They said Pittsburgh has the best children’s playgrounds they had ever seen! Pat Swedlow
Visitor Center Makes an Impression Planning on a visit to Phipps to enjoy the beautiful plantings, we accidentally parked across the street. The Visitor Center was so inviting and charming that my husband and I entered. It was lovely! We had a delicious wild rice/cranberry salad (so wonderful that I purchased some to take home to try and duplicate it) and some lovely vegetable soup. We dined al fresco for the fist time since fall. It was a great experience. We’ll be back! Kathy and Jared Heller
FOR SALE AT THE VISITOR CENTER
Ralph E. Griswold
Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy Meg Cheever President and CEO
Bonita Kwolek Membership/Volunteer Coordinator
Fred Comunale Executive Vice President Chief Operating Officer
Erin Clymer Assistant Director of Public Education and Programs
Philip J. Gruszka Director of Park Maintenance and Policies
Hillary Hardt Administrative Assistant
Joanne Jamis Cain Director, Schenley Park Visitor Center
Liz Style Docent Coordinator
Abbie Pauley Director of Public Education and Programs
Jessica Todarello Staff Assistant
Mary Beth Steisslinger Project Coordinator
Kelly Senh Financial Assistant
A series of botanical prints featuring landscapes and flowers of the parks by artist and Creative Director of WQED Multimedia Michael Maskarinec are on sale at the Schenley Park Visitor Center. A portion of the sales benefit the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy. For more information, call 412-687-1800.
WE’VE MOVED!
The Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy is now at 2000 Technology Drive Suite #300 Pittsburgh, PA 15219 412-682-PARK (phone) 412-622-0160 (fax)
Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy Newsletter
Spring Hat Luncheon Returns to Sunny Frick Park he Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy’s fifth Spring Hat Luncheon came full circle in May by returning to Frick Park after being held in all four of Pittsburgh’s regional parks. More than 650 women and men streamed through the restored Gatehouse at Reynolds Street — the site of the first hat luncheon in 1999 and the organization’s first showcase project. Many thanks to this year’s honorary co-chairs, Audrey Hillman Fisher, Ritchie Scaife, and Teresa Heinz as well as co-chairs Dr. Helene Finegold Blodgett, Nadine Bognar, Tim Condron, Lynn Davenport, and Ranny Ferguson. Of course, we couldn’t have done it without presenting sponsor PNC. The Conservancy would also like to thank Frick Park Foreman Dick Wilford and his crew for their hard work making the park look its best for the event. Mark your calendars: Next year’s luncheon will be held on May 1st in Schenley Park. H.H.
Page 3
Mary Jane Bent
Stan Franzos
Mary Jane Bent
Mary Jane Bent
Mary Jane Bent
Stan Franzos
T
CMU Exhibited Ideas for Panther Hollow Lake arnegie Mellon design students exhibited a series of proposals for the revitalization of Schenley Park’s Panther Hollow Lake in an exhibition at the Schenley Park Visitor Center in December that posed such provocative ideas as a new arboretum and moving underwater jets. Created as part of a senior design studio project, the exhibition showcased ideas for landscapes, structures, art installations, signage and other proposals aimed at generating public interest in the restoration of Panther Hollow Lake, once a popular recreation destination and the site of a picturesque, and now demolished, boathouse. In exploring the potential of Panther Hollow, the students considered the site’s history, ecological condition, place with-
Abbie Pauley
C
Course instructor Liza Wellman (right) and design students enjoy the reception and exhibit at the Schenley Park Visitor Center.
in the neighborhood’s urban fabric and a variety of possible uses, said instructor Liza Wellman, lecturer in design. In 1998, the City of Pittsburgh and the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy developed a Master Plan to restore the parks’ damaged structures, paths and ecosystems. Restoration of Panther Hollow Lake is part of that plan. “We were thrilled to work with Carnegie Mellon and the design students who have come up with fresh and creative ideas for revitalizing Panther Hollow,” said Meg Cheever, president of the Conservancy. “Returning Panther Hollow and its lake into a thriving space is a goal of the City of Pittsburgh and the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy. I’m sure the students’ innovative concepts will spark further restoration discussions.”
Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy Newsletter
Page 4
City Releases Field Study
New Signs at Visitor Center Reveal Schenley Riches By Abbie Pauley isitors to Schenley Park can now learn about the trees, insects, mammals, history and ecological riches on a series of indoor and outdoor signs at the Schenley Park Visitor Center. The Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy is unveiling the new signs after more than a year of research and design work. More than a dozen signs inside the building explain the park’s cultural and development history, its vegetation, geology, watersheds, and grassland and woodland habitats. The interior signs also include a large set of historical park postcard images such as the grand casino, band shell, racetrack and famed Bellefield Bridge (now buried) with descriptions of the treasures. The outdoor signs focus more on the plants and animals of the park, which will help hikers identify critters that inhabit Schenley. “One of our goals in opening the
The soccer field at the Oval draws parents and kids to Schenley Park.
occer players and other athletes who have been looking for space to play sports should take a look at the newly released field study by the City of Pittsburgh, a long-awaited report examining how fields are used and cared for. “This study will guide the development of new fields as well as the ongoing maintenance and management of our existing athletic fields to assure that all users have access to highly maintained fields,” said Susan Golomb, Director of City Planning. Public meetings were held over the last few months throughout the City. Residents expressed concern over the lack of rectangular fields and large dimension baseball fields while there were too many fields being used for multiple sports. Many also commented about poor field conditions and conflicts between users. The report, which was conducted by Pashek Associates with john j. Clark Associates on behalf of the City’s Department of City Planning, called for: • The City to purchase a computerized field permitting system, which is currently underway • Improving staff training • Specific design standards for field improvements • Reducing the number of multi-use fields in Pittsburgh and increasing the number of rectangular fields • Creating a hotline for reporting field abuse The study was paid for by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. For more information or a copy, contact Dan Sentz in the Department of City Planning at 412-255-2233. A.P.
S
Pittsburgh Organizations to Join National Urban Ecological Collaborative he Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy will be joining organizations throughout the Northeastern United States to create an urban ecological collaborative that will share information about urban environmental restoration. Pittsburgh is joining cities such as Boston and New York in this effort to link community-based organizations, universities, public agencies and private funders to improve ecological, economic and educational conditions in urban communities. In its first year, the collaborative
T
is focusing on a community forestry program, educational programming, research and on creating a website that will function as a clearinghouse for urban ecological work. The program is designed to increase communication between cities on the topic of urban ecological restoration and to help newer organizations learn from other groups’ successful programs. Since the collaborative formed last fall, representatives from partner cities have come together to share information on such topics as con-
Website: www.pittsburghparks.org Visit Our
Abbie Pauley
V
Schenley Park Visitor Center has been to help educate the public about the rich history and biodiversity of this urban park,” said Meg Cheever, president of the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy. “These important signs, which are the result of a collaboration of numerous experts, emphasize how Schenley is also a cultural asset with a colorful design history as well as a precious environmental resource.” The signs were developed by the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy and LANDSCAPES, a historic landscape architecture firm in Charlotte, Vermont that has worked extensively in the four largest parks in Pittsburgh. Scientists from the Carnegie Museum of Natural History and local historians Barry Hannegan and Charlotte Cohen contributed to the project. The signs were paid for through grants from the Hunt Foundation and an anonymous donor.
Staff of the PPC take a look at newly installed signs at the Schenley Park Visitor Center.
ducting street tree and natural area inventories and carrying out fieldbased science education programs. Pittsburgh’s chapter of the Urban Ecological Collaborative includes the Nine Mile Run Watershed Association, the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy, 3 Rivers 2nd Nature at the STUDIO for Creative Inquiry, Conservation Consultants Inc., and several departments within the City of Pittsburgh.
Also note City parks: www.city.pittsburgh.pa.us/parks Urban Parks Institute: www.pps.org/urbanparks National Park Service: www.nps.gov National Trust for Historic Preservation: www.nthp.org National Association for Olmsted Parks: www.naop.olmsted.org
Thanks to Sam Stimmel from E.H. Griffith Toro company for helping improve the turf in Frick Park along Reynolds Street. The AeroVator aerates the soil and thickens the turf by laying grass seed. It was used at Frick Park to prepare the turf for the Spring Hat Luncheon.
Page 5
Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy Newsletter
PPC Begins Tree Replacement Campaign Plantings to Restore Canopy in Parks By Phil Gruszka
I
The City of Pittsburgh’s Public Works Department coordinated the clean-up effort, which is ongoing. The Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy is following the most advanced protocol in tree plantings. That includes inspecting the plant material before it goes into the ground, determining appropriate soil type, planting depth, site preparation, proper use of mulch to retain moisture and limiting staking of trees. The PPC and the City are making an effort to plant the same trees that were lost on the site. For example, if a Pin oak tree is lost, a Pin oak will be planted. But non-native, invasive trees that were lost will be replaced with non-invasive trees.
Erin Clymer
n an effort to restore the tree canopy in Pittsburgh’s parks and replace trees lost in the storms of 2002, the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy is working with the City of Pittsburgh to plant dozens of canopy and flowering trees in Frick, Highland and Schenley parks. To date, 34 trees have been planted: 14 in Schenley, 13 in Frick and 7 in Highland. The plantings were a mix of both canopy trees (Maple, Linden, Oak) and flowering trees (Hawthorn, Dogwood, Serviceberry). This summer, about 35 large Red Oak trees will be planted in various locations in Schenley and Highland parks where most of the damage occurred. The parks lost about 150 large, mature trees and many more lost limbs and suffered damage to the trunks during the storms of May 2002.
Eichenlaub, Inc. planted large trees like this sugar maple behind the Schenley Park Visitor Center with money raised from the Emergency Tree Fund.
Frick Park Trail Maps Now Available detailed map of Frick Park highlighting the trails, pedestrian routes and park features is available for $2 at the Schenley Park Visitor Center. The map, which follows the publication of a Schenley Park map last year, has been one of the most frequently requested items from park users over the last five years. Staff of the PPC, local volunteers and members of the City of Pittsburgh, worked for more than 6 months on the Geographical Information Systems or GIS-based map, which includes the main amenities of Frick Park and all pedestrian routes and primary trails (with distances). The back of the map includes colorful photos of park amenities and contact information.
A
The map was developed after PPC surveys revealed that visitors needed a map to guide them through the streets and trails of all four parks. Maps of Riverview and Highland Park are underway. Anyone interested in volunteering to work on the maps should contact Abbie Pauley at the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy at 412-682-7275. For a copy of the Frick or Schenley maps, visit the Schenley Park Visitor Center across from Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens. A.P.
Willow Tree Planted at Westinghouse Pond he popular willow tree that graced the shores of Westinghouse Pond in Schenley Park but toppled during a storm in 2000 was replaced by a new willow tree paid for by Wabtec Corporation. “Westinghouse Pond is a treasured park landmark,” said Meg Cheever, president of the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy which planted the tree in April. “When the willow came down it forever changed the character of the site. We are grateful to Wabtec for supporting this effort to re-plant a willow and restore this beloved tree to Schenley.” Wabtec Corporation is one of North America’s largest providers of value-added, technology-based products and services for the rail industry. Through its subsidiaries, the company manufactures a range of products for locomotives, freight cars and passenger transit vehicles. A.P.
From left: Dennis Meyer of Partners in Parks joins Patricia Klipa and Patricia Pagnanelli of Wabtec Corporation and Phil Gruszka of the PPC to plant a willow tree at Westinghouse Pond.
Abbie Pauley
T
Page 6
Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy Newsletter
Summer Events Heat
Tyke Hikes at Visitor Center
I
DATE
MOVIE
JAZZ
July 5 July 12 July 19 July 26
Crocodile Hunter Clockstoppers Ice Age Scooby-Doo
Kenia Serious Inquiry Frank Cunimondo Trio Rodney McCoy
August 2 August 9 August 16 August 23 August 30
Men In Black II Like Mike Die Another Day John Q Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
Real Silk Band Dwayne Dolphin Roger Barbour Salsamba Sandy Staley
AUGUST JULY
ntroduce your children to the outdoors with weekly tyke hikes at the Schenley Park Visitor Center through October. Representatives from the Western Pennsylvania Field Institute will be leading the hikes for children up to age 5 from 10:30 a.m. to noon every Tuesday. Cost is $3 per adult and free for children. All walks begin at the Visitor Center. Parents, caregivers and even grandparents are invited to take their children on a short leisurely walk on the park’s gravel trails. Participants will look at leaves, touch the trees, listen for birds and critters, and look for wildlife on Panther Hollow Lake. “This is a great opportunity for children to experience the sounds and sights of our great parks,” said Meg Cheever, president of the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy. “They are our next generation of naturalists.”
RIVERVIEW PARK CINEMA
Concerts begin at 7 p.m. and movies at 9 p.m. on Observatory Hill
Guided Tours and Hikes Offered in Schenley
hether you’re interested in exercise, park sculpture or tree identification, there’s a hike for you in Schenley Park during the day and in evenings. The Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy is teaming up with local organizations to provide weekly walks through Schenley Park.
W
Linda Kofmehl
The First and Third Sunday of Every Month at 1 p.m., Schenley Park Visitor Center docents lead historical park tours featuring the park’s history, monuments and sculptures. Meet at the Schenley Park Visitor Center.
Michael Sobkowiak of the Western Pennsylvania Field Institute leads the weekly tyke hikes with his one year old daughter, Olivia.
WPFI Leads Nature Hikes in Regional Parks
he Western Pennsylvania Field Institute and the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy are teaming up to offer Weekly Walks in the Woods that rotate through Pittsburgh’s great parks. Join us for this social outing where walks are led by docents familiar with park history, activities, flora and fauna. The outings are casual, fun and educational – the perfect antidote to the workweek. Some hikes will be on uneven terrain with moderate difficulty. Contact the WPFI for further information at 412-255-0564.
T
When: Thursdays, 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Now through October 29, 2003 Where: 1st Thurs. 2nd Thurs. 3rd Thurs. 4th Thurs. 5th Thurs.
Schenley Park, Visitor Center Riverview Park, Observatory Frick Park, Environmental Center Highland Park, Entrance at Highland Avenue (to right) Washington’s Landing (when applicable)
Every Wednesday from April to October, join the Sierra Club for a conditioning walk on the trails. Meet at the Schenley Park Visitor Center. Walks are held from 6 to 8 p.m. The first Thursday of every month, the Western Pennsylvania Field Institute will lead nature hikes through Schenley Park. Hikes are from 6:30 to 8 p.m. and will start at the Schenley Park Visitor Center.
Page 7
up the Parks
Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy Newsletter
SCHENLEY PARK CINEMA MOVIE
BAND
July 2
Dreadnots
July 6 July 9 July 13 July 16 July 20 July 23 July 27 July 30
Austin Powers in Goldmember Clockstoppers My Big Fat Greek Wedding Ice Age Solaris Star Wars: Episode II Scooby-Doo Men in Black II Spider-Man
August 3 August 6 August 10 August 13
Like Mike Invincible Die Another Day Best in Show
August 17 August 20
John Q The Ring
August 24
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets Lord of the Rings: The Cheats The Fellowship of the Ring Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
August 27 August 31
The Naked Citizens Grand National Hustler Anthony Rankin Band The Legendary Tumblers
Torn & Frayed Wendy K. and the Undercover Lovers James Dougherty and the Inconsiderate Few
Riverview to Host Benefit for Cancer Research
Concerts begin at 8 p.m. and movies at 9:15 p.m. on Flagstaff Hill
he Pittsburgh Chapter of the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation (MARF) will be hosting the second annual Dance For Me So Others Might Live, a dinner/dance fundraiser on September 27th in Riverview Park. This event is designed to generate funds for research, promote awareness, and to commemorate the struggle of those with this asbestos cancer. The event will be from 4 p.m. to 9
T
Deer Exclosure Study... Continued from page 1
problems in agriculture and private gardens nationwide, according to experts. In Pittsburgh’s parks, the deer have eaten a large number of tree saplings, shrubs and herbs, which has diminished the woods’ biodiversity. Experts fear that deer are eating the native shrubs, low-lying flowers and ferns so quickly that large sections of woodlands are more susceptible to the growth of invasive plant species such as Norway maple, goutweed and garlic mustard. Heavy use of the parks’ large trails and a high amount of light from roads also contribute to the problem. The damage in Riverview is most evident near the Mairdale parking area. Although some native spicebush and white snakeroot are flourishing
By Abbie Pauley
he Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy is working with the Nine Mile Run Watershed Association and Civil & Environmental Consultants, Inc. to develop strategies in controlling non-native, invasive plant species in Frick Park with volunteers. Nine Mile Run is undergoing a multi-million dollar aquatic ecosystem restoration through the Army Corps of Engineers, which has involved extensive removal of invasive plants. This program will call on a regular corps of volunteers to maintain the site and help ensure the regeneration of native plants once the Corps of Engineers finishes its work. “Citizen involvement is absolutely critical for the success of the restoration, especially in the early years. Volunteer urban eco-stewards can really help keep the invasive plants from getting established, which will lead to a healthier ecosystem overall,” said Marijke Hecht, watershed coordinator. In June, the PPC, the Nine Mile Run Watershed Association, the Frick Environmental Center and Civil & Environmental Consultants, Inc. joined the DEP in hosting an invasive plant workshop in which volunteers learned to identify the various species and methods of control and removal. This watershed-based citizen training program will become a model for the DEP to use state-wide. Participants are now signing up to become urban eco-stewards that are trained to perform monitoring and maintenance tasks along the riparian areas of the park. The stewards will work in teams and will be assigned to work long-term on their sites. For more information contact Bonny Kwolek at the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy at 412-682-7275.
T
p.m. at the Riverview Park Activities Building and will feature a buffet followed by dancing to the sounds of DJ Joseph Savage. Tickets are $25. Call Alice Steigerwald (412) 734-3195 or e-mail danceformeso@cs.com for tickets. All proceeds benefit MARF. To learn more about mesothelioma, visit MARF’s website at www.marf.org.
because deer dislike their flavor, the tree seedlings and saplings of highly preferred species such as oak and ash are suppressed by browsing and may never grow beyond the height that deer can reach. Rhoads noted there is virtually no new growth of trees, shrubs and plants in the Mairdale area. Also, herbaceous plants are sparse and much of the forest floor is bare of plants. In Frick Park, the exclosures were placed off the Firelane Trail and in Fern Hollow. In Highland they are in the woodlands off Washington Boulevard near the bike track and in Schenley, they can be found in Panther Hollow and near Prospect Hill.
Abbie Pauley
AUGUST JULY
DATE
Corps of Eco-Stewards to Protect Park Sites
Damon Vaccaro and Varun Budhiraja, employees of Deloitte Consulting, worked in Frick Park as part of the company’s International Global Impact Day. Deloitte Consulting employees from around the world volunteered in their local communities in June. Thirty employees from the Pittsburgh firm helped restore eroded hillsides and trails in Frick Park.
Citiparks Mag Wins Award Congratulations to Citiparks Summer Magazine for winning the Pennsylvania Recreation and Park Society (PRPS) 2002 program publication competition. PRPS selects candidates who demonstrate outstanding quality, innovation and efficient use of resources. In 2002 Citiparks distributed 65,000 copies of the magazine that showcases Citiparks’ summer events and yearround facilities.
Page 8
Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy Newsletter
Non-Profit Org. U S POSTAGE
P A I D PITTSBURGH, PA PERMIT NO 4906
Courtesy First Tee of Pittsburgh
Award-winning First Tee Teaches Golf and Life Skills at Schenley Park Course
A First Tee participant perfects his form at the Schenley Park Golf Course.
By Abbie Pauley ifteen-year-old Anton, a 10th-grader at the Neighborhood Academy in Garfield, loved basketball and football but had no interest in picking up a golf club. But after enrolling in the First Tee of Pittsburgh, a youth golf program
F
at the Schenley Golf course, the boy’s life began a new course. “The program has increased his self esteem and given him a lot of confidence to try other activities,” said Tara Marlovits, Director of Programs for the Neighborhood Academy, a faith-based college prep school that sends its kids through the program. “Golf has really helped his sportsmanship and helped bring out some of his leadership traits. That’s transferred into his ability to try new things. He really enjoys golf now.” Anton (not his real name) is not the only one to benefit from the program, part of the World Golf Foundation’s nationwide initiative to positively affect kids’ lives through golf and values instilled by the game. More than 2,000 students participated last year and the numbers are growing. So are the accolades. In 2002, Golf Digest magazine identified First Tee of Pittsburgh as the best junior golf program in the country. First Tee aims to reach children ages 7 to 18 of all backgrounds who have not had exposure to golf. Initially, participants are given plastic clubs with oversized heads and tennis balls to make learning easier and help them see results more quickly. Among the activities is an exercise called “personal par” in which kids identify goals for their golf game and for other aspects of their life such as grades. They also hear speakers who emphasize such themes as goal-setting and sportsmanship.
Remember the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy in Your Will or Trust The PPC’s mission is to preserve, protect and restore the great parks of the City of Pittsburgh and to educate the public about them. You can help support us in our mission by making gifts to the PPC during your lifetime or under the terms of your will through what is known as planned giving. To learn more about how you can support the PPC, contact our office at 412-682-PARK.
We urge you to consult with your legal and financial advisors to assist you in arranging the best method of contributing. The PPC is tax-exempt under Section 501(c)3 of the Internal Revenue Service Code. Contributions to the PPC are taxdeductible to the fullest extent allowed by law. A copy of the official registration and financial information for the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy may be obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of State by calling toll free, within Pennsylvania, 1-800-732-0999. Registration does not imply endorsement.
“We teach them golf but we teach them things you learn when playing golf – honesty, perseverance, sportsmanship, dealing with success and failure,” said Bruce Stephen, executive director of the First Tee Program. “The idea is to use golf as a platform for things they use in their everyday lives.” One of the most popular offerings of the program is the junior golf clinics held for four weeks after school in May for all skill levels. More advanced kids can enter monthly tournaments and join the Schenley Junior Golf League. Participants also receive a season pass to the golf course, college scholarship opportunities and mentoring and community service credits. Sponsors of First Tee include the USGA, LPGA, PGA of America, PGA Tour and the Augusta National Golf Club. “Our students have learned to appreciate the game of golf, become proficient in the technical skills, and learned valuable life lessons, which they demonstrate during the school day,” said Marlovits. “It’s an overwhelming positive experience for our students.” Schenley Park Golf Course serves area residents through a partnership between the City of Pittsburgh and Carnegie Mellon University. The 18-hole course in the northern section of the park is open throughout the year, from early morning until dark (weather permitting). For more information, call 412-622-6959 or visit www.schenleygolf.org.
New Town Center... Continued from page 1 Meg Cheever, president of the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy and vice-chair of the Oakland Task Force’s Schenley Plaza Steering Committee, said the plan presented an exciting opportunity to reclaim a once grand historic park entrance. “This section of Oakland has a rich history that is worth exploring as we move forward to create a more vital space,” said Cheever. “We welcome public input as we identify ways to bring the plaza back to life while meeting the needs of Oakland residents and the major institutions nearby.” The plan would eliminate the parking lot but nearly 100 spaces are being added on the site. Parking Authority Executive Director Ralph Horgan said the number represented less than 2 percent of the more than 13,000 spaces of parking currently available for use in Oakland. Also, the Oakland Task Force and the Allegheny Conference will be conducting a parking management study to help people find other parking nearby. “Clearly there is a higher and better use for Schenley Plaza,” Horgan said. “The Biederman plan showed us all how great a space this could be.” The next step for the plaza project will be the completion of the schematic design and a cost estimate.