Page 2
MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT
Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy Newsletter
Pittsburgh Park Summit
he completion of the formal entry garden in Highland Park crowns the first eight years of the public-private partnership between the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy and the City of Pittsburgh. It is a magnificent example of what can be accomplished through our collaboration and I hope that you have a chance to enjoy the restored beauty of Highland Park Entry Garden and fountain this summer. The achievement of this project has made us reflect on our endeavors as a young nonprofit organization. To date we have partnered with the City to create a 20-year Regional Parks Master Plan, have six capital projects either completed or in progress, and are leading the charge for major improvements in park maintenance, programming and ecology. And, thanks to the leadership of our Capital Campaign Co-Chairs, Jim Rohr (Chairman and CEO,
Richard Kelly
T
PARK LEADERS VISIT PITTSBURGH Ralph Cryder, former Parks Director, Los Angeles County and City of Long Beach, California Patricia O’Donnell, Fellow American Society of Landscape Architects; Principal Heritage Landscapes, Charlotte, Vermont E. Timothy Marshall, Principal ETM Associates, former Vice
PNC) and George Greer (Chairman, Eden Hall Foundation) we have raised over $19 million towards our $27 million campaign goal. Although we have a long list of projects left to fund and execute, our working relationship with the city has evolved to the point where we now ask ourselves, “What’s next for the public-private partnership?” To begin to answer this, we convened a two-day summit including four nationally renowned experts from around the country and representatives from both the city and county park systems to help us analyze our existing arrangement and future prospects. From our inception, the PPC has solicited the advice of recognized experts to guide our actions. Three of our four experts had visited Pittsburgh in the past. The park specialists graded the City/PPC partnership on how far we’ve come since our partnership began in 1996. I am pleased to report we earned an A+ from the experts for vastly exceeding their expectations. They felt that we had collectively developed great skill in managing complex capital projects, that we clearly welcomed public participation and that our working partnership had evolved into a broad and deep one. In round-table discussions we highlighted successes, like establishing dedicated park crews, and examined problem areas, like the need to re-establish a park security mechanism, such as a crew of park rangers. Through our parks restoration activities, the partnership has already helped to bring about social change by creating lasting improvements in the quality of life for residents and visitors. With the benefit of enormous support from park-supporters like you, we know we can continue our productive dialogue and working partnership with the city. We will continue to solicit the advice of park experts from around the country as well as input from the community. We’re working toward another A+ report card, so stay tuned.
President, Central Park Conservancy, New York City Bridget Sullivan, Consultant, Vermont; former Parks Director, Metro Louisville, Kentucky
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.
Carousel Memories
While collecting oral histories from Pittsburgh seniors for my book Millhunks and Renegades the first words I heard each time were, “Did anybody tell you about the merry-go-round?” When the head of the household had a rare day off from the mills on a summer Sunday, it meant a happy day for the whole family, picnicking at the carousel. My own mother’s family would walk from Polish Hill to spend the day at the Schenley Park carousel, which was then near Squirrel Hill. I was delighted to hear that the Conservancy is spearheading a campaign to rebuild the carousel. Just the thought of it must have many seniors looking back on their childhoods with a wistful smile. Anita Kulina Squirrel Hill
Despite Rain, Hat Luncheon Flawless
The rain at the May 7th Spring Hat Luncheon did not dampen spirits! It gets better every year. Your staff organized a flawless and fun luncheon that beautifully highlighted the restoration of the Highland Park Entry Garden. From the stuffing of the invitations and goody bags, to the enjoyment of the elegant luncheon, I am proud to be a small part of the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy effort. The parks are a great source of civic pride here in Pittsburgh because of this restoration work. It is so very important to the preservation of the great history of this city. I look forward to the completion of the Schenley Plaza and another year of volunteering with the Hat Luncheon. Congratulations on your great accomplishments.
Barbara MacQuown Shadyside
Appreciation for Oakland Green Space
Having grown up in Greenfield, my family and I spent many a summer day enjoying Schenley Park and in the winter Panther Hollow Lake and the boathouse. I have worked at the University of Pittsburgh William Pitt Union for 33 years and am happy to see the additional green space added to the Oakland area. I look forward to having lunch in the new plaza. Keep up the great work!
Christine A. Chergi Churchill
Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy Newsletter
Page 3
Hat Lunch Blossoms at Highland Entry Garden
he Spring Hat Luncheon was a showcase event of magnificent proportions, held at the freshly restored Highland Park Entry Garden. For the first time in years on May 7, water flowed from the historic fountain and countless blooms graced the gardens for over seven hundred dramatically hatted guests who were helping to raise funds to support the work of the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy. Next year’s Hat Lunch is scheduled for May 6 at Schenley Plaza, the vibrant green space coming soon to the heart of Oakland.
Local Artists Interpret Pittsburgh’s Parks Concept Gallery Hosts Art of the Park Fundraising Exhibit By Alice Enz
see what people produce.” Berkowitz said he is excited to host the exhibit, especially because it benefits Pittsburgh’s parks. “I use the parks on a regular basis. They’re such an important asset to the city and the region. You can do everything from dog-walking to riding a mountain bike in the city.” The idea for Art of the Park was conceived by former PPC board member, artist and WQED creative director, Michael Maskarinec. “I found solace in Pittsburgh’s parks when I moved here,” Maskarinec said. “I fell in love with its beautiful spaces and vistas.” Armand Wright,a participant in Art of the Park, takes a In 2003 he started a calendar series, which panoramic shot of the Frick Art and Historical Center. featured 12 park prints. “As the paintings he four regional parks are a source of developed month after month, I visualized an inspiration for many Pittsburgh artists. exhibit that would incorporate other artists’ This fall, for the renditions of the first time, their work will parks,” he explained. be displayed in Art of the Once Maskarinec Park, an exhibit at Concept connected with Gallery in Regent Square. Berkowitz on the A percentage of all art idea, the project took sales from the exhibit will off. Now, benefit the PPC. Pittsburghers will Art of the Park will feahave the chance to ture the work of 26 local view and purchase artists in various styles and one-of-a-kind park mediums, translating their works by notable views of Frick, Highland, local artists, includRiverview and Schenley ing watercolor parks. painter Bill Vrscak, Concept Gallery’s owner photographer Aronel and director, Sam Berkowitz said that while the Gruber, artist Robert Qualters and many others. exhibit will revolve around parks, it “I’m excited to be involved with the show promises an incredible range of interpretation. because it provides an opportunity to go off in a “You can never anticipate what you’ll get,” different direction than I am used to,” said Berkowitz said. “It’s always a fun surprise to Armand Wright, a Pittsburgh portrait and
T
Mary Jane Bent
Stan Franzos
Stan Franzos
Stan Franzos
T
Environmental Work of PPC and Partners Recognized
City Councilman Bill Peduto presents members of the Pittsburgh Urban Ecological Collaborative (UEC) an award for outstanding environmental service in the City of Pittsburgh. The PPC is one of 10 Pittsburgh organizations participating in the UEC, a regional program in the eastern U.S. sharing efforts in urban ecological restoration, education, research and fundraising. Boston, Baltimore, Washington D.C., New York City and New Haven are also represented in the program.
machinery photographer. Armand took panoramic shots of the Frick Art and Historical Center in Frick Park. “I want to take pictures of things most people walk by in the park every day and highlight the uniqueness of each object.” The show will open at Concept Gallery with patron previews September 23 and 24 followed by dinners with the artists in various homes of PPC supporters. Tickets for the preview opening and dinner are $125 per person. All funds from ticket sales as well as a percentage of art sales will benefit the PPC. The public exhibit runs September 25 – October 23.
Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy Newsletter
Page 4
Interview with Geologist Albert Kollar of the Carnegie Museum of Natural History By Jason Witmer
ark-users can readily explore Frick and Schenley parks’ prehistoric pasts with handy geological guidebooks recently published by Albert Kollar and David Brezinski of the Carnegie Museum of Natural History. Jason Witmer interviews Albert Kollar, collection manager of the section of invertebrate paleontology, who has been with the museum for 28 years.
P
Q: What prompted you to make guidebooks analyzing the geology of the parks? A: Most of the guidebooks available for fieldtrips are often very technical. We’ve tried to make guidebooks that are geared for families, teachers, or anyone else who has an interest in geology. We think city parks are ideal settings for talking about local geology. Geology is an outdoor science and it’s a visual science. You have to go out and look at rocks. And the rocks are very abundant in western Pennsylvania.
David Brezinski(left) and Albert Kollar(right) created geology guidebooks for both Frick and Schenley parks.
Q: What are some of the interesting geological aspects of Frick and Schenley parks? A: These parks have some very important rock layers that provide historic geological background of 300 million years ago when this whole landscape was a tropical paradise. This continent was situated south of the equator – as tropical environment as Brazil is today. The limestone which you see today was once a vast inland sea. Coal beds are an indication of swamp environments and the sandstone layers are an indication of vast river systems. Q: You’ve completed guides for Schenley and Frick. Do you have plans to do so for Highland or Riverview parks? A: Yes, we hope to finish Highland Park next year. We’re working on Riverview right now. That will have more of an environmental geology focus because of all the landslides in Riverview Park over the last 50 years. Q: Where is a good location to see historic rock formations? A: Frick is an ideal place to see rock formations in sequence – from oldest to youngest. You can start down at the mouth of Nine Mile Run, go to Fern Hollow with its Salsburg sandstone, and work your way along the trail to Fire Lane Trail. Then you can walk through the chronological sequence because there’s a stream that cuts through the rock layers exposing them beautifully. There are also more recent deposits in Frick Park such as the glacial cobbles. These were deposited from the Monongahela River during the most recent ice age. You can actually see a cobble field near South Braddock behind the tennis courts. You see them beautifully along the trail, eroding and weathering out of the trail itself. Q: Where can visitors find your guidebooks? A: They’re available at the Schenley Park Visitor Center and at the Carnegie Museum of Natural History’s shop.
Highland Park Trail Map Completes Four-Park Set detailed map of Highland Park highlighting the trails, pedestrian routes and park features is now available for $2 at the Schenley Park Visitor Center. The GIS ( Geographical Information Systems)-based map, which is the final map in the Pittsburgh regional park map series, has been one of the most frequently requested items from park users. PPC staff, local volunteers and members of the City of Pittsburgh have created a user-friendly map that includes the main amenities of Highland Park and all pedestrian routes and primary trails with distances. The back of the map has colorful photos and contact information. The four park maps were developed after PPC surveys revealed that visitors wanted maps to help navigate the streets and trails of the parks. For a copy of the Frick, Highland, Riverview or Schenley maps, visit the Schenley Park Visitor Center located at 101 Panther Hollow Road. Or, send a $10 check to the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy at 2000 Technology Drive, Suite 300, Pittsburgh, PA 15219 to receive all four maps and a guide to Pittsburgh’s four great parks.
A
Thank You, Volunteers! Pittsburgh Park Conservancy volunteers have been hard at work, helping to restore our parks. Here’s what our volunteers have been doing: BRICKMAN GROUP LIMITED 104 hours of work Riverview Park– Restored Historic Lilac Collection
DELOITTE 330 hours of work Riverview Park– Planted 150 native shrubs and trees – removed 65 bags of invasive garlic mustard herb
JUNIOR LEAGUE 100 hours of work Schenley Park– Planted 203 plants around Westinghouse Pond
PA COMMUNITY INTENSIVE SUPERVISION PROGRAM (CISP) 105 hours of work Schenley Park– Planted and mulched 30 elm trees
CITY CHARTER HIGH SCHOOL 96 hours of work Schenley Park– Removed 45 garbage bags of the invasive garlic mustard herb
CMU ADMISSIONS DEPARTMENT 80 hours of work Schenley Park– Removed 60 garbage bags of the invasive garlic mustard herb
URBAN ECOSTEWARDS 105 hours of work Frick, Highland, Riverview, and Schenley park– 34 stewards maintaining 31 acres of park land
Page 5
Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy Newsletter
30 New Trees Planted in Schenley for Park Restoration By Alice Enz
his June, 30 new elm trees were planted along Overlook Drive near the tennis courts and Schenley Oval. These trees are replacing the invasive Norway maples that were removed this spring. As the trees develop they will be an educational resource for Penn State students. The plantings were funded in part by the Penn State Cooperative Extension program and will provide a location for students to observe the development of the six varieties of elms. The 100-year-old Norway maples that stood where the new elms were planted had reached the end of their natural life span. “Of the 16 trees present, only two were still in good health,” said Phil Gruszka, director of park management and maintenance at the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy. In addition, the trees were having a harmful effect on the surrounding natural areas. Because Norway maples are very hardy and prolific
T Elm Tree Varieties Accolade Allee
Frontier
Pioneer
Prospector
Triumph
seeders, they out-compete many of western Pennsylvania’s trees and shrubs. Many native plant species such as the Sugar maple, white ash, tulip poplar and birch trees, as well as trillium, spicebush, Jack-in-the-pulpit, and Solomon’s seal are no longer found in many of the park natural areas as a result of the Norway maple expansion. “The maples were contributing negatively to the woodlands on the other side of Overlook Drive,” said Mike Gable, deputy director of the city’s Department of Public Works. “Their removal and the planting of a variety of elm trees will greatly enhance Schenley Park and ultimately benefit the park by allowing more desirable trees and vegetation to flourish.” This tree planting is part of a larger effort to restore the natural areas of our parks said Gable. For more information on the Norway maple see The Invasive Advisor below.
Above is a map of the six varieties of elm trees that were recently planted along Overlook Drive near the Ice Skating Rink in Schenley Park.
First of a Series
The Invasive Advisor
Invasive plants are choking out the biodiversity of our natural areas – even in our own back yards. These invasive, non-native plants are not part of our original habitat, but were introduced from other countries, often for gardens and landscaping. With few or no natural enemies, you can now see these plants taking over entire landscapes like roadsides, disturbed woodlands and our parks. Help us fight the battle! Learn to recognize and control invasive species by reading this column and by picking up Plant Invaders of Mid-Atlantic Natural Areas at the Schenley Park Visitor Center. ($4.00, published by the National Park Service and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service)
This edition: Norway Maple
At left, the Norway maple flower, as it looks in early spring.
Common name: Norway maple Scientific name: Acer platanoides Origin: Europe and Western Asia, introduced in U.S. as ornamental tree Threat: Produces chemicals that inhibit growth of native trees, shrubs and herbs and creates dense shade Habitat: Shady areas, tolerant of city conditions Size: 90 feet maximum Identifying characteristics: Broadly-rounded crown, very smooth bark becomes black and ridged with age, leaves remain green long after other trees have shed theirs in late fall, torn leaf stems show milky sap (the only maple to have this characteristic) Look-alikes: Sugar and silver maple, because of similar-looking leaves. Control techniques: Uproot saplings, cut down or girdle in late winter (remove a band of bark and cambium from the trunk), do not plant Leaves of the Norway maple stay green in Native alternatives: American beech, red maple the fall longer than our native maples.
Source: http://www.nps.gov/plants/alien/pubs/midatlantic/acpl.htm
Pittsburgh Invasive Plant Symposium a Success By Christopher Tracey
his past March, nearly 150 people, including city and county park workers, attended the Pittsburgh Invasive Plant Symposium. The symposium showcased current research and management techniques for invasive plants. Topics ranged from basic control of Japanese knotweed and tree-of-heaven to research about declining populations of the native trillium. Researchers shared methods and findings. Field exercises in Frick Park helped attendees learn various tools of the trade and herbicide techniques. “The most valuable information for us was effective ways to control tree-of-heaven,” said Denise Schreiber, horticulture/design manager of the Allegheny County Park System. “It is a major problem for us in the parks and there were great solutions for control and eradication.” The symposium was hosted by the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy along with the City of Pittsburgh Department of Public Works, the Chatham College Landscape Programs, Civil & Environmental Consultants and Invasive Plant Control, Inc. As a result of the symposium, several participants are forming a working group to continue to address the invasive plant problem in our region. Contact ctracey@pittsburghparks.org for more details.
T
Page 6
Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy Newsletter
G RAB A B LANKET AND H EAD T O THE P ARK
Farmers Market in Highland Park
COMCAST CINEMA IN THE PARK Movies begin at 9 p.m.
Thursdays, Now – November 17
SCHENLEY PARK
3:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Observatory Hill
AUGUST JULY
Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium parking lot at Butler and Baker streets
Citiparks’ Art Cart The Citiparks Roving Art Cart visits neighborhood parks, playgrounds, community festivals and citywide special events throughout the City of Pittsburgh. This summer, Citiparks Roving Art Cart will offer art projects, hands-on activities, reading adventures, games and music. Groups of 10 or more should call 412-665-3665 a week in advance to make reservations. See below for scheduled stops in the four regional parks.
AUGUST JULY
August 5 12 19 26
Schenley Park – Anderson Playground Frick Park – Braddock Avenue Playground Highland Park – Super Playground Schenley Park – Schenley Oval Riverview Park – Observatory Entrance Highland Park – Pool Entrance Frick Park – Blue Slide Playground
Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy Meg Cheever President and CEO
Mary Beth Steisslinger Restoration Coordinator
Debbie Beck Chief Financial Officer
Brandi Fergelec Schenley Park Visitor Center
Philip J. Gruszka Director of Park Management and Maintenance Policies Jessica Todarello Development Coordinator
Beth Bodamer Administrative Assistant Chris Tracey Field Ecologist/GIS Coordinator
Alice Enz Project Manager
Gudrun Wells Volunteer Education Coordinator
Amy Ripley Projects Coordinator
Liz Style Docent Coordinator
Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy 2000 Technology Drive, Suite 300 Pittsburgh, PA 15219 412-682-PARK (7275) www.pittsburghparks.org
August 3 August 7 August 10 August 14 August 17 August 21 August 24 August 28
The Terminal Finding Neverland Are We There Yet? A Cinderella Story Van Helsing The Dust Factory Napoleon Dynamite The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie
Observatory Hill
10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
15 22 29
Ocean’s Twelve Shrek 2 Without a Paddle The Prince & Me The Phantom of the Opera Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
RIVERVIEW PARK
Roving Art Cart 2005 Schedule July
July 13 July 17 July 20 July 24 July 27 July 31
July 16 July 23 July 30
Shrek 2 The Prince & Me Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
August 6 August 13
Finding Neverland A Cinderella Story
August 20 August 27
The Dust Factory The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie
For more information call 412-255-2539 or visit www.city.pittsburgh.pa.us/parks
CITIPARKS MUSIC SERIES RETURNS TO PARKS Music lovers take note – you’re bound to find the perfect performance out in the parks as part of Citiparks’ concert series this summer.. For more information, visit www.city.pittsburgh.pa.us/parks
Stars at Riverview
Reservoir of Jazz
Saturdays, Now– August 27 7 – 8:30 p.m. Riverview Park, Observatory Hill 412-323-7256
Sundays, Aug. 7- Sept. 4 5 – 7 p.m.
July 16 July 23 July 30 Aug. 6 Aug. 13 Aug. 20 Aug. 27
Rick Kacin & Blues Sector Roger Barbour Kenia Roger Humphries Lee Robinson & Iska Salsamba Mystic Knights of the Sea
Highland Park, Entry Gardens 412-255-8975
Aug. 7 Aug. 14 Aug. 21 Aug. 28 Sept. 4
Joe Negri Dwayne Dolphin Group Kenny Blake Sean Jones Al Dowe & Etta Cox
Page 7
Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy Newsletter
FOR F REE A CTIVITIES A LL S UMMER L ONG
Schenley Park Visitor Center Café • Gifts • Free Wireless Internet • Event Rental Open daily 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. 101 Panther Hollow Road 412-687-1800 www.pittsburghparks.org/visitorcenter Convenient parking at half-hour and hourly meters
Sundays in the Park Schenley Park Visitor Center
Featured Summer Items July drink of the Month – Orange Creamsicle Latté August – Watermelon Italian Soda Frisbees, gardening books, park maps and postcards
Sundays Now – October 30 Noon – 3 p.m.
WEEKLY WALKS IN THE WOODS
Live music, kids activities and specialty food and drinks served on the patio with guided park walks at 1 p.m.
July 24 July 31
August 7
August 14 August 21 August 28
Sept. 4
Sept. 11 Sept. 18 Sept. 25
Classic rock with guitarist Lenny Collini R&B featuring vocalist Jessica Lee
Now - October
Smooth jazz by Kevin Howard trio
Every Wednesday
Boilermakers New Orleans-style jazz
6:30 to 8 p.m.
Folk duet Jay & Kim
Reggae by Freedom Band
The Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy offers these walks, which rotate through the CityÕs four Regional ParksÐ Highland, Frick, Riverview and Schenley park. Join us and learn some of the trails, plants and wildlife of our urban parks.
Smooth jazz with Bill Holt
Jazz combo featuring Robbie Klein
Jimmy Sapienza and 5 Guys Named Moe Jazz and blues with Clair Ascani
1st Wednesday
Highland Park Entry Garden
October music to be announced Check www.pittsburghparks.org/visitorcenter for fall line-up Schedule is subject to change.
2nd Wednesday
Frick Environmental Center
Learn the History of Schenley Park
3rd Wednesday
Riverview Park main entrance
4th Wednesday
Schenley Park Visitor Center
1 p.m. Sundays Now – October Schenley Park Visitor Center.
Free and open to the public
Tours include information on the history, sculpture and environment of the park. Walks are free and open to the public. See you in the park!
For more information call 412-682-7275
0505009_PizzazzAd_A
5/23/05
10:55 PM
Page 1
ENTRY GARDEN, FROM PAGE 1 able for $150,000 each as a donor recognition opportunity. Rudy Maceyko, member of several Highland Park community groups and Conservancy volunteer said he and other Highland Park residents are delighted with the restoration. “What’s great about this project, as well as others the PPC has done in the parks, is the positive impact the restoration work has had on the neighborhood of Highland Park.” “If there’s one organization that has done as much as possible to make the Highland Park community a better place,” he said, “it’s the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy.”
THE GARDEN CLUB OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY PRESENTS The Tenth Anniversary of THURSDAY OCTOBER 20, 2005 9:30 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
FRIDAY OCTOBER 21, 2005 9:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
“Pittsburgh’s Premier Shopping Opportunity”
30 Boutiques from across the country AT THE FOX CHAPEL GOLF CLUB • 426 FOX CHAPEL ROAD Lunch available by reservation For Information please call 412-963-8217 Funds from Pizzazz support the Garden Club’s Community projects.
including the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy. .
Page 8
Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy Newsletter
Non-Profit Org. U S POSTAGE
P A I D PITTSBURGH, PA PERMIT NO 4906
Carousel Plans Unveiled for Schenley Plaza
Bill Vrscak
PNC announces $750,000 gift; includes carousel By Amy Ripley
A rendering of the carousel that will be a central feature of the Plaza.
s part of the Schenley Plaza ceremonial brick laying in May, PNC chairman and CEO Jim Rohr announced a pledge of $750,000 to the PPC’s capital campaign, which includes funds for a children’s carousel as the feature family attraction for the revamped green space, as well as a multi-year sponsorship for the Spring Hat Luncheon. “PNC remains committed to helping children, and this carousel is for them,” Rohr said. “Now when families come to visit Schenley Plaza, children will have a place all their own. We hope that this will create many happy memories and return visits.” The unveiling of a colorful carousel horse gave a glimpse of the liveliness to come to Schenley Plaza, the former 6-acre parking lot between the Hillman and Carnegie libraries, which is currently being transformed from a drab stretch of asphalt on Forbes Avenue into a vibrant public space and entrance to Schenley Park. The carousel is scheduled to run May through October beginning with the Plaza opening slated for spring of 2006.
A
Rohr also announced that to help fund ongoing carousel operations, individuals can contribute $20,000 to earn naming rights to one of the 15 animals comprising the eclectic collection, including a rabbit, triceratops and a giraffe. Rohr has personally donated funds to name the horse. Other name sakes available at the Plaza include handmade cedar benches at $10,000 each. Movable chairs and personalized bricks, which will line the grand walkway and central oval, are available at $250 each. Rohr joined Schenley Plaza project partners and elected officials in laying the first ceremonial personalized bricks, ditching the customary shovels used in typical groundbreaking events. “This brick-laying symbolizes the collaborative ‘foundation’ of the project,” said University of Pittsburgh Chancellor Mark Nordenberg. Nordenberg said the green space would greatly improve Oakland, Pennsylvania’s third busiest business district following only Philadelphia’s Center City and downtown Pittsburgh. Governor Ed Rendell, who presented the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy with a $5 million check from the state in April 2004, said Schenley Plaza was “an easy project to invest in,” citing its number-one ranking on the city and county to-do lists, as well as the agenda of the Oakland Investment Committee. Rendell said improving Oakland’s “quality of place” was essential in attracting and retaining highly desirable professionals, particularly from Oakland’s universities. “I once heard Oakland described as ‘dreary’ and with ‘too much asphalt,’” Rendell said. “This project will change all of that.”
Volunteer Needed
If you are interested in answering phones and doing light administrative work at the PPC offices, call Beth at 412-682-7275.
Plaza Sponsorship Opportunities
CHAPEL SHELTER, FROM PAGE 1 building complies to Americans with Disabilities Act regulations. Schmidlapp said the major difference that people will notice after the restoration is that the shelter will have more doors and windows. “The old design made it feel closed in,” he said. “This will open up the sides so people can flow to and from the beautiful veranda.” Rehabilitation of the historic landscape with construction of 650 feet of trails as well a parking area will follow, pending further funding. City Councilman Luke Ravenstahl, who represents the Riverview area said, “The renovation of the shelter will add another first-class facility to the park to complement the Activities Building.” He recalled frequenting the Chapel Shelter in his youth for graduation parties and picnics and said, “I am
confident that when it is completed it will be the ‘jewel’ of the park and attract people to have their parties in the park. It will also enable local active community groups to broaden their scope of activities to better utilize the park’s amenities.” The restoration of the shelter and the surrounding landscape has been made possible thanks to a recent grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) as well as monies from the Eden Hall Foundation, the Buhl Foundation and the Allegheny Regional Asset District. “I know that the Riverview Park area residents will be excited to see this project finally happen,” said Meg Cheever, president of the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy. “We are eager to continue the restoration of our first showcase project in Riverview Park.”
The above eagle carousel animal has been purchased by local restaurateur and park benefactor Ed Dunlap and his wife Anna. “It’s American– it’s freedom– it’s a symbol for what America is all about,” he said. For more information on purchasing naming rights for a carousel animal or other sponsorship opportunities call the Conservancy at 412-682-7275.
IT’S NOT TOO LATE TO PURCHASE A BRICK OR A CHAIR IN SCHENLEY PLAZA. FOR MORE INFORMATION ON DONOR RECOGNITION OPPORTUNITIES CALL
412-682-7275.