Fall 2008 - The Voice

Restoring Pittsburgh’s Great City Parks and Public Green Space

Fall 2008

Welcome 2008 Urban Parks Conference!

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Unearthing the Past: Restoring the Mary E. Schenley Memorial “deconstruction is usually the 0 years after its creation, the first step in the construction Parks Conservancy is phase of a restoration project.” pleased to help restore the Indeed, the restoration of the Mary E. Schenley Memorial Mary E. Schenley Memorial Fountain, Victor Brenner’s Fountain in Schenley Plaza is a winning sculpture, A Song to good case in point. Often the Nature. (You may recall from a deconstruction of historic sites previous Voice article that Brenner uncovers hidden and unexpected designed the Lincoln penny.) treasures. In this instance, the The entire memorial has been backhoe operator digging holes cleaned, and the granite basin for new light poles was repointed and caulked. Plumbing confounded by concrete slabs work has restored the flow of about three feet below the water through the turtles’ mouths surface, which are remains of the into the fountain basin, and Bellefield Bridge, used as the decorative bronze elements have memorial’s foundation nearly a been removed for cleaning and to century ago. recast missing ones. The After Andrew Carnegie built surrounding paving has been his museums and library, the rebuilt, new benches acquired, Bellefield Bridge was the entryand for the first time, lights will way into Schenley Park across illuminate the fountain at night.

St. Pierre’s Ravine. Although Sidewalks are being narrowed representative of Pittsburgh’s (more permeable ground will topography, St. Pierre’s Ravine reduce stormwater runoff) and was not considered suitable for The Mary Schenley Fountain under renovation. realigned for more direct park land. During the early pedestrian access to intersections.

1900s, the ravine became a dumping ground, most likely from Project completion is targeted for the City’s PGH250 Festival construction projects within Schenley Park and the building of of Lights in October.

Forbes Field. In hindsight, the ravine seems a symbol of the According to Phil Gruszka, the Park Conservancy’s social chasm between the East End elite (notably Andrew Director of Park Management & Maintenance, Carnegie) and the SEE MARY SCHENLEY FOUNTAIN, PAGE 5

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Foundation Director encourages support of parks page 7

PNC Carousel Tea recap page 7

Councilman Shields Pick your pleasure, pick your park page 3

Fall Lecture Series

Madcap Masquerade moves to Schenley Plaza

Melissa McMasters

By Laurie Anderson

UPMC Health Plan presents the latest in its popular Healthy Living Lecture Series this fall at the Schenley Park Visitor Center. Lectures begin at noon and last until about 1:00, with an opportunity for a question and answer session following the discussion. All lectures are free and open to the public.

October 2: Physical Activity (followed by a walk in the park) John Jakicic, PhD University of Pittsburgh October 9: Alternative Health S. Ramalingam, MD UPMC Health Plan October 16: Women's Health Speaker TBD

October 30: Depression Stephanie Fudurich UPMC Health Plan November 6: Current Pharmacy Topics Chronis Manolis, RPh UPMC Health Plan November 13: Stress Rose Gantner, EdD UPMC Health Plan

October 23: Coping with Caregiving Kendra Winters UPMC Health Plan

Visit www.pittsburghparks.org for updated information about the lectures!

Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy Newsletter

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Message from the President n behalf of the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy and the City of Pittsburgh as a whole, we would like to welcome all of our visitors to the 2008 International Urban Parks Conference, Body and Soul: Parks and the Health of Great Cities. We are so honored to have been selected by the City Parks Alliance and the National Association for Olmsted Parks to host this conference, and we look forward to showing off a transformed Pittsburgh.

During this conference Pittsburgh will play host to some of the great park advocates from around the world. With attendees coming from nine countries and 30 states, from landscape architecture firms, universities, city governments, non-profits, and the business community, imagine how much we can learn from each other.

Several of the conference sessions highlight the remarkable progress cities around the world are making in prioritizing their parks. In one session, we’ll hear the story of how a major traffic artery in Seoul, Korea has been reclaimed as a magnificent new urban park. Kangoh Lee and Byoung E Yang of Seoul Green Trust will be accompanied by partners from Seoul National University and Seoul Metropolitan Government at this session moderated by Velma Monteiro-Tribble, Chief Operating Officer and Assistant Treasurer, Alcoa Foundation.

The momentum in Pittsburgh and around the world has shifted towards making parks a priority again. With more than half the world’s population now living in cities, we can no longer afford to neglect our green spaces. By putting our time, energy, and funding into parks, we reap so many rewards: a healthier environment, a place to relax and recreate, and the ability for people across all ages, backgrounds, and income levels to experience the natural world.

This year is Pittsburgh’s 250th birthday, and we have so much to celebrate.

Our city has become a leader in medicine, technology, and green buildings, and our reputation as an environmental wasteland has literally gone up in smoke. The great parks that were originally built as a respite from industrial pollution are now the crown jewels of the city, strengthening our residents and

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visitors physically and emotionally—body and soul.

In fact, some of Pittsburgh’s youngest park users have been telling us just how important our parks are to them through their entries in our first-ever student art contest. “My Space is a Green Place: What Parks Mean to Me” showcased the talents of students in grades 2 through 12, who expressed their love of parks through writing, drawing, and painting. It is inspiring to know that we will leave our parks in the hands of a generation who will care for them as we do.

We hope that the 2008 International Urban Parks Conference will be an opportunity not just to celebrate all that parks mean, but to come together and Mayor Luke Ravenstahl and Parks discuss how to push the movement Conservancy President Meg Cheever at the even further. Parks are central to Spring Hat Luncheon. the future of the world’s cities, and here in Pittsburgh, we are ready to take the next step.

Mary Jane Bent

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Meg Cheever President and CEO Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy

Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy

Two new staff members join Conservancy

Melissa McMasters

s the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy continues to take on new projects and reach out to involve the community in our parks, the organization has added two new staff members.

Laura Cook, Marketing Communications Coordinator, joined the Conservancy in April, and Horticulturist Steve Horhut came on board in July.

As Marketing Communications Coordinator, Laura has primary responsibility for the Conservancy’s media relations, publications, promotional material, and community outreach programs.

She has also been devoting much of her time to preparing for the 2008 International Laura Cook Urban Parks Conference.

Before joining the Conservancy, Laura was the Manager of Marketing Communications for Sargent Electric Company. She previously served as the advisor to a student-run advertising agency at Duquesne University and interned at Renda Broadcasting Corporation,

where she assisted with planning and executing promotional events. Laura has a B.S. in Communications Media from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and an M.A. in Corporate Communications from Duquesne University.

Laura was drawn to the Conservancy because of a personal interest in the environment and a desire to excite the public about preserving green spaces. “It’s great to work for an organization that is making a difference in Pittsburgh,” she says. “One of the things I enjoy most is the opportunity to learn more every day about the history of the parks and their ecological diversity.” In her spare time, Laura enjoys biking, cheering for the Pittsburgh Penguins, and spending time with her husband and her dog.

In his new position as the Conservancy’s Horticulturist, Steve Horhut works closely with Phil Gruszka, Director of Park Management and Maintenance, to determine maintenance priorities in the parks. Steve’s duties include working with contractors on Conservancy projects, caring for landscapes at the Conservancy’s capital project sites, and taking charge of general horticultural tasks such as weeding, watering, and planting.

Corrections to our Spring 2008 Issue:

A graduate of Penn State with a BS in Business Administration and a concentration in forestry, Steve is a certified arborist who ran a tree service before joining the Conservancy. One of Steve’s first projects is the restoration of the Mary E. Schenley Memorial Fountain.

He is looking forward to completing the project so the public can gain a new appreciation for Steve Horhut this restored park feature.

Although he spends most of his days in the parks, Steve prefers to be outdoors in his spare time as well, with hunting and fishing among his major interests. Though he has only been on the job a short time, he already appreciates the diversity of tasks he performs in the parks. “It’s a good organization with good people, and I like being able to do so many different things and see them all have an impact.”

Melissa McMasters

By Melissa McMasters

Luke Ravenstahl Mayor City of Pittsburgh

Please note that the M.H. Salmon Charitable Fund was omitted from the Green Ash ($250.00 - $499.99) donor list, and that the donor listing should have stated Mrs. Ann S. Powell instead of Mrs. Malvern Powell.

2000 Technology Drive, Suite 300 Pittsburgh, PA 15219 Phone: 412-682-PARK (7275) Fax: 412-622-0160 www.pittsburghparks.org

Staff

Meg Cheever, President and CEO Debbie Beck, Chief Financial Officer Philip J. Gruszka, Director of Park Management and Maintenance Policies Susan M. Rademacher, Parks Curator Laurie Anderson, Assistant Director of Foundation and Corporate Relations Kim Barner, Accounting Assistant Beth Bodamer, Executive Assistant Joyce Collier, Membership Assistant Lisa Conti, Assistant Director of Annual Funds and Development Systems Laura Cook, Marketing Communications Coordinator Erin Copeland, Restoration Ecologist Jim Griffin, Schenley Plaza Manager Steve Horhut, Horticulturist Melissa McMasters, Online and Community Advocacy Manager Jake Milofsky, Field Ecologist Gudrun Wells, Volunteer Education Coordinator

Board of Directors

Government Representatives: Mayor Luke Ravenstahl, City of Pittsburgh Chief Executive Dan Onorato, Allegheny County State Representative Dan Frankel Duane Ashley, City of Pittsburgh Guy Costa, City of Pittsburgh Noor Ismail, City of Pittsburgh Alan Ackerman Robert Agbede Joe Belechak Meg Cheever G. Reynolds Clark John Diederich Helen Faison Jeremy Feinstein Audrey Hillman Fisher Elise Frick Ethel Hansen Harry Henninger Dan Holthaus Elizabeth Howard Mark Kamlet Becky Keevican

Robbee Kosak John P. Levis, III David Malone Brian Mullins Marlee S. Myers Susan Nernberg Eliza Nevin Illah Nourbakhsh Robert Petrilli Richard Reed, Chair James Rogal Ritchie Scaife Tom Schmidt Alex Speyer Jr. Gerald Voros Michael Zanic

Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy Newsletter

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“Pick your pleasure, pick your park…”

Courtesy of Councilman Doug Shields

s momentum builds for a new Environmental Center at Frick Park, Pittsburgh City Council President Doug Shields has been instrumental in helping to secure input from the communities surrounding the park. Shields represents District 5, which includes much of Squirrel Hill, Regent Square, Glen Hazel, Swisshelm Park, Hays, Lincoln Place, New Homestead, Greenfield, and Hazelwood. He recently reflected on the role of parks in children’s development and in the renaissance of Pittsburgh.

“If there is one issue that deserves Doug Shields, Pittsburgh City Council priority in our time, it’s the education President of our children,” says Shields, a father of two. “If we can inspire children to pursue careers in science and related fields—the types of fields they can explore at the Environmental Center—that can only serve the city’s best interest.”

He adds that the Environmental Center at Frick Park is especially wellpositioned because of its close proximity to so many neighborhoods. Residents will have easy accessibility to the Center and were heavily involved in the public meetings that have been held so far. “My hope for the Center is that what came out of those meetings will be built,” says Shields. “The investment by the citizenry is large, not just in the Center but in the park as a whole.”

It is this sense of deep and abiding ownership that Shields feels has contributed to the ongoing stewardship of Frick Park. “No matter what is going on in the park, it’s of interest to the people who live nearby,” he notes. He feels the park and its people have a symbiotic relationship: when visitors take away a rich experience of nature in the park they, in turn, invest in that experience.

Shields points to projects such as the Nine Mile Run stream restoration as examples of how the community has built momentum to improve the park.

He also lauds the partnership between the City and the Parks Conservancy as having made a huge difference for the parks. “Without the Parks Conservancy, the City could not have managed to provide the investment needed to sustain the parks at this level,” he says. “In the grand scheme of the City’s finances, parks

would have been much lower on the priority list, but the Conservancy ensures not only that there are stewards who get up every day and attend to the parks, but that parks are getting their equitable share of funding.”

Shields is looking forward to sharing the stories of Pittsburgh’s green transformation with attendees of September’s International Urban Parks Conference. “Anyone who comes from out of town and drives through the Fort Pitt Tunnel for the first time is just astounded,” he says. “Our amenities—our parks and trails—are most impressive. I’d say we’re one of the top cities in the country for managing our green spaces.” He adds that he is excited to hear from conference attendees about their own cities so Pittsburgh can take advantage of the best thinking available about maintaining premier urban parks.

It’s impossible to pick a favorite out of Pittsburgh’s parks, Shields says.

“They all have such a unique character,” he says, adding that it’s like trying to choose a favorite child. “Frick Park has a true nature mission, while Schenley Park has so many great civic destinations like Phipps Conservatory and Flagstaff Hill. Highland Park has the beautifully restored entry garden and the phenomenal Zoo, and Riverview Park is heavily forested and doesn’t lend itself to a lot of development. So there’s something for everyone—pick your pleasure, pick your park.”

Jack Wolf

By Melissa McMasters

Campers at one of this summer's Frick Environmental Center day camps finish up a morning of stewardship activities by painting flower boxes.

Schenley Plaza Summer Recap

David Lawrence amazed the attendees of Kids Day with his magical wonders.

5 13 15 - 18 24 25 31

Klezmer!

Mazeroski Day Celebration Squonk Opera Performance CLB Eleventh Stack Read Aloud Madcap Masquerade Pittsburgh 250 Festival of Lights Howloween Event

2008 Fall Volunteer Days The WYEP Summer Music Fest broke the Plaza record for attendance.

It was the biggest summer yet for Schenley Plaza, with many new free public programs attracting visitors from all over the city. In addition to regular lunchtime and evening concerts presented in partnership with the Guitar Society of Fine Art, the Plaza also hosted more than 3,000 music lovers at the 11th Annual WYEP Summer Music Festival in June.

On weekends, visitors to the Plaza might come across a dancing puppet made out of recycled materials at a Kids Day event, find handmade scarves and hats at a Sundae Flea Market, or follow the yellow brick road at a classic movie screening presented by Pittsburgh Filmmakers. At lunchtime, visitors could try out a free yoga class or listen to storytelling sponsored by the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh.

But the season isn’t over yet. Next month, the Plaza will have visitors from space when Squonk Opera presents its new “Astro-Rama” show as part of Oakland’s Festival of Lights.

To learn more about this and other planned events, visit www.schenleyplaza.org/programs.php.

August 20 September September September September

5 9 & 10 11 17

October 18 October 20 November 1 November 8 November 15

For information on Volunteer Days, please visit www.pittsburghparks.org or call (412) 682-7275.

Melissa McMasters

Photo courtesy of WYEP

Yoga was offered Monday and Saturday afternoons.

Melissa McMasters

Melissa McMasters

By Melissa McMasters

October Plaza Events...

Volunteers from Deloitte help build deer exclosures to protect native plants in Riverview Park.

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By Erin Copeland

Melissa McMasters

fter a landscape inventory was completed, the 2001 Regional Parks Master Plan reported that some ecotypes were under-represented within the four largest city parks. This included both meadows and shrublands. Meadows are sections of land in which the main vegetation types are low growing grasses and wild flowers. Shrub lands are in between meadow and forest, with some trees, but not a completely closed tree canopy. Before Europeans settled Pennsylvania, the landscape was mainly forested, with very little land covered in meadow. Our climate is mild and moist, conducive to forest development. To the south and west where rainfall decreases, there are more fires and a more severe climate, Meadows provide excellent habitat for small mammals, birds, and insects such as all of which supports a landscape of the praying mantis. meadows and shrublands.

Closer to home, our city parks are designed spaces in which people have attempted to create an ecologically, historically and aesthetically valuable landscape. Meadows – which can include wetlands, tall grass prairies, and wet meadows – are highly valuable additions to the city landscape for many reasons.

Meadow plants have abundant and deep roots, enabling them to slow down

Just beyond the swimming pool in Schenley Park, under the Charles Anderson bridge, is a beautiful meadow with flowers like bergamot and black-eyed susan.

Melissa McMasters

The Benefit of Meadows

and use much more storm water than lawns. Their value is readily apparent in Pittsburgh because with every rain storm our storm sewers overflow and pollute our rivers.

A meadow also attracts a rich variety of birds and insects. These habitats provide a large concentration of pollen and seedheads for feeding. Wild turkeys, red winged blackbirds, indigo buntings, many bees and wasps and also species of dragonflies have been spotted in park meadows.

Meadows are beautiful places where wildflowers and grasses bloom from late spring through early fall. The plant species can be showy and seen from quite a distance, or they can be very subtle, even to slight differences in the hue of their grass blades. They have something to delight everyone.

The Invasive Advisor

Join 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). You can also find an “Invasive Plants of Pittsburgh” guide at www.pittsburghparks.org/_87.php. Please avoid planting these aggressors in your own garden.

Periwinkle

Common name: Periwinkle Scientific name: Vinca minor Origin: Central and Southern Europe, Southwestern Asia

By Laura Cook

ECOLOGICAL THREAT: As a dense groundcover, periwinkle can become invasive beyond its intended boundaries (even into lawn areas) by its trailing and shallowly-rooting stems.

HABITAT: Periwinkle forms a dense evergreen groundcover that displaces other plants. It prefers deep shade, but is often used as a groundcover in sunny areas.

SIZE: Perwinkle matures at about 6" tall and reaches up to 3' in diameter for each individual plant.

MANAGEMENT OPTIONS: Plants can be hand pulled at any time of year, taking care to remove runners. Concentrate efforts on small patches and the edges of large infestations to prevent their spread.

Erin Copeland

The grand opening of the Riverview Chapel Shelter was celebrated with a dove release ceremony.

Grand Opening for Riverview Chapel Shelter Dan Tenaglia

DESCRIPTION: Periwinkle is a perennial, evergreen herb with erect flowering stems and long trailing non-flowering stems, which produce roots at the nodes. Leaves are dark green and shiny, opposite with smooth edges. Flowers have five petals and are “periwinkle blue.” No seeds are produced, as all reproduction is vegetative through the non-flowering stems (“runners”).

Mary Jane Bent

Invasive plants are choking out the biodiversity of our natural areas – even in our own backyards. 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.

SUGGESTED ALTERNATIVES: Evergreen "viney" groundcovers (Euonymus fortunei 'Colorata', Hedera helix, Liriope spicata, Pachysandra terminalis, etc.) or evergreen woody groundcovers (Juniperus conferta, Juniperus horizontalis, Juniperus procumbens, Microbiota decussata, etc.)

The Riverview Park Chapel Shelter Grand Opening was held on June 7, 2008 in conjunction with Citiparks’ Riverview Heritage Day Festival. Featuring a dove release ceremony, the Grand Opening included comments by Mayor Luke Ravenstahl, Senator Jim Ferlo, and Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy Board Chair Richard Reed. The event was held at the conclusion of a colorful parade and kicked off festivities, including pony rides, face painting, and a petting zoo.

Restoration of the Chapel Shelter and its surrounding landscape took about three years. The project was managed by the Parks Conservancy in partnership with the City of Pittsburgh under the direction of park foreman Bob Lacki. The Chapel Shelter restoration was funded by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR), The Buhl Foundation, the Eden Hall Foundation, The Pittsburgh Foundation, the Howard E. and Nell E. Miller Foundation, and the City of Pittsburgh through Allegheny Regional Asset District support.

If you’re interested in renting the Chapel Shelter, call 412-255-2370.

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Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy Newsletter

in tournament condition during the bowling season, which lasts from mid-May through September.

Lawn bowling is played on rinks 14 feet wide, allowing seven games to be played on each green at any time.

The ball is heavier on one side than the other, causing the “bowl” to curve after it has traveled about twothirds of its course.

On the green you Mayor Luke Ravenstahl takes a try at the will find plenty of mild Frick Park Lawn Bowling Club greens at the exercise and you will be joined by an exceptionally Spring Hat Luncheon on May 3. friendly group of people.

Division Open Tournament in Lessons are available on August and the Annual Awards Saturdays at no charge and all Dinner in October. equipment will be furnished.

Mayor Luke Ravenstahl Please wear flat soled shoes to visited the lawn bowling greens help protect the greens and during the Pittsburgh Parks make reservations in advance Conservancy’s Spring Hat with Hank Luba by calling Luncheon on May 3rd. He 412-782-0848. said, “The Frick Park lawn The Frick Park Lawn bowling greens provide the City Bowling Club hosts or of Pittsburgh and its residents participates in a variety of with the tremendous value of a social events throughout the rare and historic amenity that year. Events include the also serves as a great “Groundhog Day Dinner” in recreational facility.” early February, “Let’s Go” in April, and the North East

Citiparks Supervisor is Jack of all Trades

By Jake Milofsky

Melissa McMasters

many amenities that Pittsburghers have come to know and love.

After growing up in the Valley Forge area near Philadelphia, Eric came to western Pennsylvania to attend Slippery Rock University. During his college, Eric gained experience in construction work before marrying and moving to the city. Since then, he has come to love Pittsburgh.

Referring to its unmatched topography, Eric notes, “Unlike other cities, Pittsburgh has length, width, and depth.”

Once in Pittsburgh, Eric found his first job with Citiparks as a skate guard at the Schenley Park Skating Rink. Though he only intended to stay for a short while, this job wound up growing into a long career with the City of Pittsburgh. Today, Eric heads up the Schenley Park Skating Rink where he works on programming that brings about 85,000 visits to the rink each season.

Programs at the rink include skating lessons, pickup hockey, 13 public skating sessions per week, field trips for 30-40 local schools, private parties and more.

Eric also oversees maintenance of the rink’s ice. This maintenance includes Eric Vandenhengle (right) and co-workers Jonathan Furman and Tom Driscoll supervise this Farmers’ Market in Bloomfield zamboni operation as well as refrigeration as well as others throughout the city. control. Referring to the many effects weather can have on the rink’s ice, Eric comments simply, “Outdoor ice is a lot ’m diversified,” comments Eric different than indoor ice.”

Vandenhengle on the wide array of From his post at the Skating Rink, Eric also activities he oversees from day to day. From oversees Citiparks’ Farmers’ Market program, Farmers’ Markets to ice skating, disc golf which brings 55 regional vendors to eight maintenance to spray park construction, this locations around the city. The markets take place Citiparks Supervisor’s activities certainly are in East Liberty, South Side, Mount Washington, diverse. Better known as Eric Van to friends and Bloomfield, West End, Downtown, North Side, colleagues around the city, Eric’s 33 years of and Oakland. “We like to move around the city experience have made him an integral part of

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Melissa McMasters

alk along the northern tip of Frick Park near Reynolds Street, and you will see a meticulously groomed pair of lawn bowling greens and perhaps a dedicated group of people playing an ancient game called Lawn Bowls. It has been around for hundreds of years in its present form, but the actual origin of the game is hidden in the haze of antiquity. Evidence has been uncovered of a game using stone bowls as far back as 5000 BC. It was suppressed in England and France during the 14th century; however, it survived in Scotland and later spread to England and to America. One famous bowling greens is still in operation in Plymouth, England.

Today there are approximately 130 bowling greens throughout the United States, making Frick Park lawns a rare find. Opened in 1938, the Bowling Green was maintained and operated by the City of Pittsburgh for many years, but it has been under the supervision of the Frick Park Lawn Bowling Club since 1992. Two greens, each 120 square feet, are kept level and flat. The greens are maintained

(continued from Page 1) encroaching working class, commercial expansion of the Pirates. In 1911, the City was able to effect a compromise between these competing interests that allowed the Pirates to lease a half-acre of Schenley Park to expand Forbes Field, and that allowed Carnegie and Mary Schenley’s heirs to erect her memorial. Engineering issues, City approvals and rising costs combined to delay construction of the memorial, which was finally dedicated in 1918.

Although the Schenley Memorial was conceived amidst turmoil, the restored sculpture’s grandeur and refreshing fountains will once again be a place of beauty and tranquility.

Mary Jane Bent

By Laura Cook

Thomas Podnar of McKay Lodge Fine Arts Conservation Laboratory restores the Mary E. Schenley Fountain Memorial.

Of course, this restoration project would not be possible without the support of generous funders who appreciate the value of the Schenley Memorial as a beautiful, historic work of public art. We are very thankful for the support of the Benter Foundation, Howard E. & Nell E. Miller Foundation, National Endowment for the Arts, H. Glenn Sample Trust Jr. MD Memorial Fund through the PNC Charitable Trust Grant Review Committee, and Juliet Lea Hillman Simonds Foundation. As always, we are working closely with the City of Pittsburgh, and the Department of Public Works has committed significant in-kind services to the project. Heritage Landscapes developed the site plan and construction drawings.

For more information on the Mary Schenley Fountain restoration, please visit the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy Blog at http://pittsburghparks.wordpress.com

as much as possible to give different communities the chance to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables,” says Eric.

Eric also brings his construction background into the job by supporting a number of projects around the city.

Primarily, he oversees construction of the many Spray Parks that Citiparks has been building as an alternative to neighborhood swimming pools. Eric also oversees the operations of the Sportsplex at the Schenley Park Oval, and he assists the Pittsburgh Flying Disc Society with maintenance of the disc golf course near the skating rink in Schenley Park.

With all these responsibilities, Eric’s job seems like it could easily be overwhelming. However, his easygoing demeanor and positive attitude wins out.

When asked what he thinks of everything he is involved with, Eric smiles and says “I like it all.”

Alice Enz

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Mary Schenley Fountain

Lawn Bowling: Ancient Art

Among Eric Van's many responsibilities is the management of the Schenley Park disc golf course.

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Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy Newsletter

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City and Bidwell students Brings Growth to Riverview

Volunteers from Bidwell Training Center work to transform Riverview Park.

Melissa McMasters

arly one morning in June, the Kilbuck Road entrance to Riverview Park began to bloom thanks to a collaborative effort between the City of Pittsburgh and the Bidwell Training Center’s Horticulture program. As crews from the City’s Department of Public Works removed invasive tree of heaven from the site, Bidwell students transformed an overlooked park feature into a beautiful and diverse garden landscape.

According to their instructor, Lauren Cohen, “The garden’s creation arose

out of a student landscape design competition.” The class was divided into several groups, and each group developed a concept for the beds and plant lists suitable for the particular site. Considerations included selecting trees, shrubs, and flowers that measured up to the City’s high standards including native species. Several of the designs were integrated in the plan, the City purchased

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Volunteer and Community Champion

he Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy was delighted to learn that one of our Urban EcoStewards, Karen Lukas, has been selected as a Community Champion.

Supported by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, the Heinz Endowments, and The Pittsburgh Foundation, the annual Community Champion awards recognize 50 people, each of whom volunteers for a different nonprofit group. The purpose of the award is to recognize “ordinary people who do extraordinary things without expectation of a reward.”

Karen began volunteering with the Parks Conservancy in 2003. Attracted by the opportunity to combine her love of nature with her desire to “give back” to the community, Karen made a commitment as an Urban EcoSteward to care for the hillside below the Schenley Park Visitor Center. She has removed invasive plants, such as garlic mustard and English ivy, to give the native trees and shrubs room to grow.

Her site is healthy and beautiful now; keeping it that way will always require monitoring.

For the past year, Karen has been volunteering more than 30 hours each month with the Park Conservancy’s field crew, mostly battling invasive species. Not one to shy away from difficult tasks, she has cut vines, “girdled” invasive Norway maple trees with a “jerd” (a curved saw used to remove a ring of bark to kill the tree), and helped tackle large bush honeysuckle with woody 5" trunks and a stand of Tree of Heaven that seems to grow as fast as the trees are cut.

Although this is tiring, muscle-aching work, Karen never complains. She enjoys being in the woods and learning more about plants and how to

manage them.

More than any other regular volunteer, Karen shows up ready to quietly help staff lead other volunteers during community group projects, school events, and Urban EcoSteward activities. She has a beautifully

Karen Lukas, Community Champion.

Jake Milofsky

By Laurie Anderson

humble way of doing an enormous amount of work, helping other volunteers in the process, and not worrying about getting any credit for it. Her efforts help to make Pittsburgh’s parks healthier, and we are proud that she was selected as a Community Champion.

The award includes recognition in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette with a photograph and brief description of her volunteer work in a Community Champion “ad.” The Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy’s mission will also be highlighted. Along with her fellow Champions, Karen will be honored at a reception later this year.

Recently Karen has helped with outreach by staffing a Parks Conservancy table at community events. Her reliability and knowledge make her an excellent representative.

the plants, and the class “rolled up their sleeves” to crezate the garden.

Now this once-bare area is lush with greenery and colorful blooms, with young dogwood trees in one bed and others filled with juniper, azaleas, rhododendrons, ferns, and bleeding hearts. One of the students said, “you have to determine which plants are right for which type of soil. This garden can be extremely moist in one section and dry in another.”

The garden will be maintained in the future by students in the Bidwell Horticulture program. Program director Gary Baranowski outlined how the program’s unique approach to applied learning opportunities differentiates it from many other horticulture curricula. Students complete coursework in botany, greenhouse management, and landscape design, among others, and then apply their knowledge to the area’s vacant lots, community gardens and other spaces in need of greening. Before finishing the program, students complete a one-month externship with organizations like the Parks Conservancy to gain additional skills and experience in a particular concentration.

Relationships such as this one are part of what is helping transform our city and its parks. Now visitors to this off-the-beaten-path entrance to Riverview Park will be able to stop and smell the flowers as their welcome to the woodlands.

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Partnering Up On the Weeds to Wheels Program

By Jake Milofsky

his summer the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy, in partnership with Steel City Biofuels and GTECH, tried a new approach to controlling invasive garlic mustard plants in the parks. With the help of some fantastic volunteers, garlic mustard plants were removed from the parks and treated as a biofuel crop to see whether or not oil could be pressed from the seeds and turned into biodiesel.

This program, dubbed “Weeds to Wheels,” provided a fun and educational approach to Volunteers harvested more than a dozen bags of garlic mustard from Highland Park that were later pressed into addressing this seed. The Grain Bags shown were donated by East End ecological threat in a Brewing. new way.

For several seasons, Steel City Biofuels and GTECH (Growth Through Energy and Community Health) have been growing biofuel crops on vacant land around the city to promote both bioremediation of soils and the green energy that can be acquired from these crops. The family of plants known as brassicas has been a central part of this project, as these plants have the ability to both remediate toxins in the soil and provide oil from their seeds. Some commonly known brassicas are broccoli, canola, and garlic mustard.

Traditionally, garlic mustard is removed from the parks in the spring when the plant is in its early stages and the seeds have not yet matured to viability. With Weeds to Wheels, however, mature plants that went unpicked in the spring were the focus, as their seeds are viable and appropriate for use as biofuel.

On June 29, volunteers and staff from all three organizations converged on the Elm Grove Trail in Highland Park to harvest seeds from plants that were not picked in the spring. By the end of the day, upwards of 20 grain bags donated by East End Brewing were filled with garlic mustard plants, and thousands of seeds that would have otherwise wound up in the soil were instead captured for use as biofuel.

Next, the seeds were separated from the seed pods by students enrolled in the Green Jobs Corps, a collaborative effort between GTECH and the Student Conservation Association to expose underprivileged youth to jobs in the green sector. This process got the seeds ready for the last stage of the project when Weeds to Wheels participants gathered at the Blackberry Meadows organic farm. There, the seeds were fed into a press that separated the oil from the rest of the seed material.

It was a success! We were able to both remove garlic mustard from an important natural area, and provide an interesting and hands-on forum for education on invasive species, soil remediation, and renewable energy.

Through the Weeds to Wheels program, participants were able to gain a much deeper understanding of these important issues facing us today.

Melissa McMasters

By Melissa McMasters

For more information on the partners mentioned: Steel City Biofuels: www.steelcitybiofuels.org GTECH: www.gtechstrategies.org SCA: www.thesca.org

Page 7

Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy Newsletter Dedicated Funder brings perspective to parks

Photo courtesy of the Eden Hall Foundation

By Susan Rademacher

Susan – Sylvia, Pittsburgh’s parks renaissance owes a great debt to Eden Hall. What drew the Foundation to the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy back in 1996?

Sylvia – The Eden Hall Foundation looks at parks as a great equalizer, so when Meg Cheever came to us and began to talk about the relationship between economic development and parks, we felt that supporting parks could help Pittsburgh as we try to move forward and shake off the city’s old image.

Parks factor closely into the economic development equation along with cultural amenities and schools – young people look more favorably upon a city if there are well maintained parks close by. They want a place to go to bike and hike and be with nature.

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Sylvia Fields, Executive Director of the Eden Hall

he Eden Hall Foundation began its remarkable relationship with the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy in 1999 with a grant of more than a million dollars toward the restoration of the Frick Park Gatehouse and the Schenley Park Visitor Center. This early support enabled the Parks Conservancy to establish itself as a credible organization with a significant track record of parks improvements. The Foundation’s financial commitment, combined with the advice, enthusiasm, and encouragement provided by its board and staff have, without question, been essential to the Parks Conservancy’s success. Eden Hall has been a key partner in building increased support in Pittsburgh for parks and green spaces over the past 12 years.

Take a peek behind closed doors at the following interview with Sylvia Fields, Executive Director of the Eden Hall Foundation, conducted by Susan Rademacher, Parks Curator for the Parks Conservancy.

Susan – Why has the Eden Hall Foundation been a consistent funder for the Parks Conservancy?

Sylvia – Parks are difficult to fund because most people think taxes take care of that, but there is a big need. It takes more – we, as corporate and foundation communities, have to pitch in as friends of the parks. We have to move away from the mentality that parks should be 100% tax supported – parks are free, and unlike the Zoo and the Aviary, there’s no one standing there to take your entrance fee. You have to have other means of support.

Susan – Growing up in Pittsburgh, how did you experience the parks?

Sylvia – I remember the parks when I was a child.

My father died when he was 36 years old and I was seven, and many of my memories are at Highland Park, which was beautiful. When I went there a few years ago, I was hurt by what I saw. It is very rewarding to be part of an effort to restore the parks to what I remember them to be, way back when.

Susan – So, restoring the parks strikes a chord with you?

Sylvia – It is important to be able to hand the parks off to our children, giving them the responsibility to take care of it and pay it forward to the next generation. My husband and I have always taken our children to the park. The playgrounds were fabulous in Frick and Schenley, and we always loved to do that on a Saturday.

Susan – What part of working with the Parks Conservancy has made you most proud?

Sylvia – Personally, I am proud when I attend the Spring Hat Lunch and look at how beautiful the parks are and know that part of our foundation’s legacy includes the parks. Being there with my daughter is important, too – I am training her in terms of what is expected of being a good steward of the park.

Susan – Do you have a favorite park restoration project?

Sylvia – The project I love the most is the Schenley Park Visitor Center – it is welcoming, right there, smack at the entrance, as it should be. I remember walking through before renovation. It looked like something that needed to be torn down. I also love the restoration of the Frick Gatehouse – I’m a fan of Henry Clay Frick. He had the foresight to set up a foundation to endow Frick Park and its maintenance, plus he hired the renowned landscape architects Innocenti and Webel to plan the park.

Because of that kind of foresight and money invested, don’t we owe the founders? I would think we do. They were good citizens of the world, creating the parks, not for the wealthy, but for everyone.

Susan – How does Eden Hall’s ongoing relationship with the Parks Conservancy stay so positive?

Sylvia – A key to our strong relationship is good communication on both parts, but in particular on the part of the Parks Conservancy. It is frequent, whether good, bad or indifferent. Eden Hall has the desire to get trustees and staff out to look at the parks and the Parks Conservancy has used every opportunity to do that. Grant reporting is on-time and leaves no stones unturned. Coming in to talk to us on a regular basis has made the relationship close. This way the Parks Conservancy can tell us what’s going well and what needs to be done a little bit better. It allows everyone to get in front of potential problems.

Susan – Any parting thoughts?

Sylvia – At the end of the day, the Parks Conservancy consistently delivers a good product with a tremendous wow factor.

Joshua Franzos

By Lisa Conti

Children enjoy a spin on the PNC Carousel.

The Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy partnered with PNC to present the first annual PNC Children’s Carousel Tea on Saturday, May 31, 2008. Schenley Plaza was the ideal location to host 300 attendees of all ages, and the day proved to be picture-perfect. Schenley Plaza transformed an asphalt parking lot to a vibrant, open public space and a grand and welcoming entrance to Schenley Park.

Decked out in their best attire, guests young and old were treated to an authentic tea party under the tent, the

antics of the Zany Umbrella Circus, complimentary portraits by Catch the Moment, jugglers,puppeteers, and a strolling musician.

And, of course, the PNC Carousel was the highlight of the day. This wonderful event could not have taken place without the support of the hard-working committee members, the volunteers, and PNC. Thank you all!

To learn more about booking your own event or corporate function at Schenley Plaza, visit www.schenleyplaza.org.

Joe Guyaux, President of The PNC Financial Services Group, enjoyed the afternoon with wife, Kathy and granddaughter, Avery.

Carousel Tea Host Committee

Helene Finegold Blodgett, MD Heather Chronis Tonja Condron Julie Dever Holly Elste Annie Hanna Engel Holly Hatcher Frazier

Cristy Gookin Christine LeClere Hilliard Joanne Kearns Maria Metro Lisa Pagliari-Spiegel Gabriela Porges Tori Rhoades

Joshua Franzos

PNC Children’s Carousel Tea Debuts at Schenley Plaza

Page 8

Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy Newsletter

Madcap to Move to Schenley Plaza

By Laura Cook

By Laura Cook

he Garden Club of Allegheny County, a member of the Garden Club of America, is pleased to announce the return of Pizzazz – the much anticipated annual shopping extravaganza, featuring 30 unique boutiques from around the country.

“The Garden Club of Allegheny County has a strong commitment to funding innovative environmental projects that will improve the quality of life throughout the Pittsburgh community," said Pizzazz Co-Chair Kathy Testoni. This year a majority of proceeds from Pizzazz will be awarded to the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy to support development of a master landscape plan for the new Environmental Center at Frick Park.

This wide-reaching community focused initiative will be an environmental center of national caliber, with a focus on providing hands-on learning for school-aged children that will reconnect them with nature.

With each vendor carefully chosen on the basis of quality, originality and exclusivity, Pizzazz brings a fresh perspective to Pittsburgh.

According to Pizzazz Co-Chair Nancy McGough, "Pizzazz is yet another pleasant Pittsburgh surprise. For 13 years, loyal customers have shopped for themselves, their spouses and children among a cosmopolitan collection of 30 chichi boutiques located in one distinguished spot—Fox Chapel Golf Club." Added GCAC President, Shelley Clement, ""Pizzazz is a great fundraiser for many reasons - it is a meaningful and fun activity that our members enjoy volunteering for, it provides unique shopping right before the holidays and, most importantly, it benefits the entire community. This year, we are most excited about our collaboration with the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy."

Pizzazz is held at the Fox Chapel Golf Club on Thursday, October 16, and Friday, October 17, and the donation is $5. The event will be open on Thursday from 9:30 AM to 7:00 PM and on Friday from 9:30 AM to 4:00 PM. A buffet luncheon prepared by the Club's renowned kitchen is available for shoppers both days. For dining reservations contact Carol Weir at cweir640@comcast.net.

For more information, please view the online press kit at www.pizzazzpgh.org or contact Cindy Tilson at ctilson5@comcast.net.

Human Statues provided entertainment at the 2007 Madcap.

George Mendel

George Mendel

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Pizzazz Returns with Fresh Perspective

George Mendel

O

ctober 25, 2008 will be a night to remember as the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy announces a new location for its annual Madcap Masquerade presented by UPMC Health Plan. This year’s Halloween bash will be held in the heart of Oakland at Schenley Plaza.

The event will be covered with clear tents allowing patrons to delight 2007 costume contest winner Ron Leibow brought a in Pittsburgh Picasso painting to life .

250’s Oakland Festival of Lights A reveler at the 2007 Madcap. and the illumination of the Mary E. Schenley Fountain.

Enjoy fabulous food and entertainment, including tribute bands, roaming musicians, psychics, dancers, and the everanticipated fashion show with this year’s theme “Carousel Couture.”

This event is not to be missed with tickets at $250 and above, and the After Nine option for only $50.

For tickets and more information, please visit www.pittsburghparks.org or call Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy at 412-682-7275.