Restoring Pittsburgh’s Public Green Space • Frick, Highland, Riverview & Schenley Parks Spring 2007

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New Urns to beInstalled in

Highland Park

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Panther HollowBecomes Outdoor Lab

for PPC and Partners

Rep. Mike DoyleTalks About Parks

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Interview with MayorLuke Ravenstahl

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Riverview Park Chapel Shelter Nears CompletionBy Melissa McMasters

The Pittsburgh ParksConservancy’s seventh capitalproject, the Riverview Park

Chapel Shelter, is expected to be completed this spring, and manyimprovements to the building and thelandscape are already visible.

The dull white walls have beenrepainted in pale yellow with a charm-ing light green trim. The steeple, a distinctive feature of the Chapel Shelteruntil it was removed in the 1950s, hasbeen restored, as have the long-absentdormer windows that once gave thebuilding its character.

Soon, the cracked and peeling porchwill be cleaned, etched, and given anew finish. Columns and railings willbe replaced with solid millwork pine ina manner that is more consistent withthe historical design, and a wheelchair-accessible rampwill be added. Indoor features, such as the kitchen, bathrooms, and lighting, are also being modernized.

Because the building’s deterioration was primarilycaused by termites and carpenter ants, the building hasbeen treated for the pests and all wood products belowfloor level have been replaced with impervious material.

In keeping with a park restoration project, the surround-ing landscape also needed to be completely transformed.Department of Public Works crews removed dilapidatedtennis courts behind the building, clearing the way for alawn that will invite picnicking and social gathering.

Large stands of invasive trees that had been crowdingthe hillside have also been removed. Non-native trees like

Siberian elms were crowding out native trees for space onthe hillside. To create a more biodiverse canopy, a varietyof native trees, such as maples, sweet gums, and redbuds,have been planted. Crews from DPW and the PittsburghParks Conservancy have also been building water infiltration trenches and laying jute matting to stabilize thehillside before seeding native grasses this spring.

New plantings are also planned around the buildingitself; an iris bed will line the front wall, and side gardenswill feature hydrangeas and littleleaf lilacs. Behind the building will be holly bushes whose bright red berries willstand out against the winter snow.

The building is set to be finished this spring, and thelandscape work should be completed by late summer

PPC, UPMC Health Plan AnnounceSpring Lecture SeriesBy Amy Ripley

Major changes are already visible at the Riverview Park Chapel Shelter.

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SEE LECTURE SERIES, PAGE 2

UPMC Health Plan announces an engaging andinformative lineup for the spring 2007 installmentof their Healthy Living Lecture Series, hosted in

partnership with the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy.The free, six-week series will feature presentations by

local medical and health experts at noon on Thursdays,March 15 – April 19 at the Schenley Park Visitor Center.

“We were pleased with the interest that our fall lectureseries generated,” says Diane Holder, President of UPMCHealth Plan. “Momentum is building to improvePittsburgh’s health as a result of initiatives like Americaon the Move that are highlighted in these lectures. Theyprovide an excellent opportunity for people to haveaccess to the area’s foremost experts on a variety ofhealth-related topics.”

The March 15 lecture will feature a guided walkthrough Schenley Park following a lecture on fitness andstrength by Dr. John Jakicic and Stephen Doyle.

Lectures will last about 30 minutes and be followed byQ&A sessions. The schedule follows on page 2.

SEE CHAPEL SHELTER, PAGE 2

Over the last ten years we havelearned that people really do lovetheir parks. We have also learned

that urban parks are not just places ofspiritual refreshment but also key assetsin creating a competitive quality of lifefor our region. But to maximize theattraction of our parks, they must not justbe in good capital repair, but must also bewell-managed and regularly well-main-tained. This is the common-sense recipefor permanently great parks. And itshould be no surprise that consistentfunding is a key ingredient in that recipe.

But consistent revenue--a permanent, sufficient funding stream forPittsburgh’s parks--remains critical and elusive. Many urban parksystems across the country have been faced with increased fundingpressure at the local level due to decreasing federal funds. Andalthough the Allegheny Regional Asset District funding our ownparks enjoy has been a key component of sustaining our parks duringa period of intense financial crisis for the city, it alone is not sufficient funding to bring our parks to a level competitive with othercities.

For example, according to the Center for City Park Excellence atthe Trust for Public Land, whose website you can visit atwww.tpl.org/tier2_pa.cfm?folder_id=3208, Pittsburgh is belowaverage both in how much park acreage we have in our city and inhow much we spend on parks. For cities of our density, the average is14 acres of parkland per 1,000 residents, yet Pittsburgh has only 8.8acres per 1,000 residents. Similarly, while San Francisco spends$276 per resident on its parks and Cincinnati $166 per resident, (withan average of $86 per resident nationwide), our city spends only $37per resident.As a result of the partnership between the City of Pittsburgh and

PPC, parks dollars are going farther than ever. Over the past ten yearswe’ve learned how to work smarter as well as how to work harder forbetter parks. But increasing efficiency will only get us so far. It istime to recognize that our parks are seriously under-funded, undermining our city’s ability to compete in the global economy. Asthe PPC begins its second decade, we hope to encourage our community to develop a comprehensive plan for a park system that isbeautifully restored, excellently managed and adequately funded on apermanent basis.

MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT

Page 2 Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy Newsletter

Letters To The EditorWe want your feedback. The Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy welcomes letters to the editor. Letters may be edited. All submissions become theproperty of the PPC. Please send them to: The Voice, 2000 Technology Drive, Suite 300, Pittsburgh, PA 15219.

Pittsburgh’s Parks RememberedHaving been born and raised on the edge ofWoods Run between the Ohio River and theWestern Penitentiary on the North Side, I hadthe good luck to have two Pittsburgh parks topick and choose from: Riverview andHighland. They were well utilized by me, twobrothers, and an older sister. We also had“West” or Allegheny Park on the North Side;this was great! It was a great childhood andyoung manhood.

Then off to WWII and new action; on return-ing, the lure of the river and parks was gone,but not forgotten. Woods Run was “torndown.” The Pen was closed down, and leavingthis area began. New parks were looked for,and I for one moved to the Schenley Park areaand love it. This past summer’s concerts therewere extremely enjoyable and I will alwaysattend them. My daughter enjoys Frick Park;so you see we are still with it, and I want to bea Park Friend.Andrew SabolPittsburgh

Neill Log House in Need of RepairPlease don’t forget about the Neill Log House.It’s in sad shape. Nearly all the chinkingbetween the logs is cracked. Water flowsdown the face and the interior of the chimneyand the larger fireplace due to missing flashingand seriously deteriorated mortar. The doorsill has rotted away. There are signs of ter-mites in the logs and rodents under the house.

There aren’t many structures left in the citythat date to the 18th century. The Neill LogHouse is one of them, almost certainly datingto 1769, just eleven years after John Forbesnamed the city. It has the potential to be ashowcase of early Pittsburgh history. Pleaseput it on a fast-track schedule for repairs.Dwight FongPittsburgh

Editor’s Note: Pittsburgh’s Regional ParksMaster Plan, completed in 2001, recognizesthat the Neill Log House and its surroundinglandscape are in need of renovation. In addition to the Neill Log House, the PPC will

be seeking funding to renovate both the CampDavid Lawrence Cabin in Schenley Park andthe Watson Cabin in Riverview Park.

Schenley Park’s Neill Log House, one ofPittsburgh’s oldest buildings, is designated as ahistoric landmark but has begun to deteriorate.

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March 15 – Get Moving: ImprovingFitness and Strength – guided walkto follow - John Jakicic, PhD, Chairof the Department of Health andPhysical Activity, University ofPittsburgh, and Stephen Doyle,CES, RCEP, Registered ClinicalExercise Physiologist and ProgramCoordinator, UPMC Health Plan

March 22 – Food Shopping andPreparation for People on the Go –Sandra K. Carpenter, MEd, MS,RD, Program Manager, WeightManagement, UPMC Health Plan

March 29 – Geriatric Health -Cynthia Rosenberg, MD, MedicareMedical Director, UPMC Health

Plan

April 5 - Stress Management andResiliency – Rose Gantner, EdD,Senior Director, Health Promotion,UPMC Health Plan

April 12 - Asthma and Allergies -Christopher V. Lamperski, MD,Medical Director, UPMC HealthPlan

April 19 – Complementary andAlternative Medicine: A 21stCentury View – S. Ramalingam,MD, MBA, Senior MedicalDirector, Medical Management,UPMC Health Plan

LECTURE SERIES, FROM PAGE 1

when new planting beds are installed and the lawn is ready for use. Onceit is opened, the public can use the facility for events such as familyreunions, weddings, and corporate picnics.

The Chapel Shelter project was made possible by private funding fromthe Eden Hall Foundation, the Buhl Foundation, and the PittsburghFoundation, as well as funding from the Allegheny Regional Asset Districtand the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.

CHAPEL SHELTER, FROM PAGE 1

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Charles Birnbaum, FASLA, founder of the Cultural Landscape Foundation, visitedPittsburgh to discuss obtaining National Historic Landmark status for downtown’sMellon Square park. He is pictured here (left) with Meg Cheever and Scott Lammie ofUPMC Health Plan at a Feb. 1 lecture sponsored by the PPC.

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Page 3Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy Newsletter

Humane Metropolis Workshop Comes to Pittsburgh March 23By Melissa McMasters

With over half the world’s population now liv-ing in urban areas, making urban environ-ments safer and more habitable is crucial.

The Lincoln Institute of Land Policy’s HumaneMetropolis workshop, to be held at the Omni WilliamPenn Hotel on Friday, March 23 from 8:30 to 5:00, isdesigned to discuss ways to help transform cities intomore sustainable and people-friendly places.

Based in part on Rutherford H. Platt’s 2006 book TheHumane Metropolis: People and Nature in the 21stCentury City, published by the Lincoln Institute, theworkshop will explore issues such as public spacedesign, wetland restoration, and urban gardens. Thefour sessions will each feature a speaker and a panel ofexperts. The PPC’s Director of Management and Maintenance Policies, Phil Gruszka, will serve as a panelist in a session on urban parks.

The objectives of the Humane Metropolis workshop include reviewingcurrent urban improvement initiatives in Pittsburgh, promoting partner-ships among local citizens and public officials, sharing relevant experi-ences from other cities, generating new ideas, and fostering awareness ofPittsburgh’s emergence as a role model for other cities.

Following the workshop, participants are invited to gather at the AndyWarhol Museum’s “Good Fridays,” where they can meet the artistsinvolved in an upcoming exhibition on global warming.

Tuition for the workshop is $50 and includes Friday breakfast, lunch, theHumane Metropolis book, and course materials. Register online athttp://www.lincolninst.edu/education/education-coursedetail.asp?id=426.

For more information, contact Joy Abbott at joywabbott@verizon.net. The day’s schedule is below.

Session 1: Introduction to Humane Metropolis- Rutherford H. Platt, Director, Ecological Cities Project,UMASS Amherst- Joel Tarr, Professor of History and Policy, CarnegieMellon University- Court Gould, Executive Director, Sustainable PittsburghSession 2: Urban Parks, Trails, and Open Space- Peter Harnik, Trust for Public Land, Center for City ParkExcellencePanel:- Phil Gruszka, Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy- Allegheny Trail Alliance, Speaker TBDSession 3: Restoring Urban Nature- Laurel Ross, Chicago Wilderness

- Howard Neukrug, Office of Watersheds, Philadelphia WaterPanel:- Marijke Hecht, Nine Mile Run Watershed Association- Jan Doffner, Steel Industry Heritage CorporationSession 4: Environmental & Social Justice- David Beach, Director, EcoCity ClevelandPanel:- Terri Baltimore, Hill House- Miriam Manion, Grow Pittsburgh- Ann Rosenthal, Environmental and Community Artist- Carol Walsh, Urban Farming Initiative

Congressman Mike Doyle Discusses the Importance of ParksBy Melissa McMasters

To CongressmanMike Doyle,who is current-

ly serving his sixthterm as representativeof the 14th District ofPennsylvania, WesternPennsylvania’s greenspaces are some of thegreatest assets theregion has to offer.During his 12 years inCongress, Doyle has obtained federal fundingfor many of the initiatives that are ushering inPittsburgh’s green future.

One of the projects that most excites Doyle isthe restoration of the Nine Mile Run Watershed.He was instrumental in committing $10 millionin federal funds to the project, which is one ofthe largest stream restoration projects in thecountry. “That was a place I played as a kid,”Doyle recalls. “Everybody called the placeStink Creek. Now, as you go down through thepark and you see the ecosystems that have beenbuilt there and how the streams are channeledin such a way that they’re constantly beingcleaned, it’s a completely different kind ofexperience.” He and his wife Susan often taketheir golden retriever Brody to Nine Mile Runto play in the streams and are thrilled with theprogress that has been made through the effortsof the City of Pittsburgh, the Nine Mile RunWatershed Association, the Army Corps ofEngineers, and other partners.

Congressman Doyle has also worked closelywith the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy toobtain $720,000 for the development of newtrails and the construction of a unified signagesystem to be installed throughout the fourregional parks of Pittsburgh. He believes thatpublic-private partnerships like the PPC’s withthe City of Pittsburgh are a highly effective

way of getting necessary projects completed.“When you have people working together inpartnership, the projects are better, and thecommunity input is there,” Doyle says, addingthat public participation is crucial to the inclusion of projects in the federal budget.

Why is Congressman Doyle so dedicated tohelping the cause of parks restoration? It goesbeyond creating a beautiful community. Doylefeels that parks are crucial to the economichealth of the region. “We’re competing everyday for some of the best and the brightest

people tomove here orto locate theircompanieshere,” Doylesays. “Thosetypes of

people and companies have many choices. Oneof the things I think is a big deciding factor forthem when they relocate is the quality of life inthe area—the open spaceand outdoor recreationalopportunities. It’s goodeconomics—having goodparks dramaticallyimproves the quality oflife in Pittsburgh,” whichmakes the region thatmuch more attractive tocurrent and potential residents.

Now that the midterm elections have signifi-cantly changed the faceof Congress, Doylehopes that legislators willgive more attention toenvironmental issueslike parks. “Our budgetis a statement of our

country’s priorities,” he says. “I think one ofthe things we all understand and recognize isthe importance of our parks system, not only tothe quality of life of a community but also tothe economic health of a community.”

Doyle views the federal dollars that go intoparks development and restoration as moneywell-spent. He believes his role as a legislatoris to work with community groups to determinethe projects that need funding, and then to helpsecure the money that will make those projectswork. Parks projects that are done well, inpartnership with the private sector and the localcommunity, are “good public policy,” saysDoyle. “Hopefully we’re going to see a lotmore of it here in the 110th Congress.”As the new legislative session begins, Doyle

looks forward to continuing to work withgroups like the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy toexamine creative uses of Pittsburgh’s parklandand rivers.

Above left: Congressman Doyle attends a PPC event; above right: Doylehelps plant vegetation in a Nine Mile Run meadow in September 2005.

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Page 4 Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy Newsletter

The Invasive AdvisorInvasive 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 fromother countries, often for gardens and landscaping. With few or no natural enemies, you can nowsee these plants taking over entire landscapes like roadsides, disturbed woodlands and our parks.

Join the battle! Learn to recognize and control invasive species by reading this column and bypicking 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).

TThhiiss EEddiittiioonn:: JJaappaanneessee KKnnoottwweeeeddCommon name: Japanese knotweedScientific name: Polygonum cuspidatumOrigin: Japan

DESCRIPTION: Japanese knotweed is a tall, uprightherbaceous plant with a shrub-like appearance. Itbegins to send up shoots in April and produces slim oblong sprays of greenish-white flowersin August and September, followed two weeks later by white, papery seeds. The shoots areedible in early spring; stems can be harvested, steamed or boiled for five minutes, and servedlike asparagus.

ECOLOGICAL THREAT: This highly invasive plant reduces biodiversity by overrunningand shading out other plants. It propagates extremely easily through vegetative regeneration;a tiny stem fragment can produce a new plant in less than a week in wet conditions. Theplant’s dead stems and leaves are slow to decompose, forming a layer of organic matter thatprevents native seeds from sprouting and disturbs wildlife habitats.

HABITAT: Although it can adapt to many environments, Japanese knotweed prefers moist,open areas with a lot of sunlight. It is also commonly found at the edges of roadways andstream banks.

SIZE: The plant’s stems can grow up to 10 feet tall. Because its root system can reach 15 to20 meters in length, it often creates dense thickets and can quickly dominate a natural area.

LOOK-ALIKES: In early spring, young shoots resemble bamboo or asparagus.

MANAGEMENT OPTIONS: The plant should be cut before flowering and then again inSeptember or October. Because it produces such an extensiveroot system that can survive even when top growth is removed,Japanese knotweed must often be treated with herbicide in orderto be eradicated. If the plant looks wilted, avoid touching it.

SUGGESTED ALTERNATIVE PLANTS: Other plants in thePolygonum family, including native Polygonum pensylvanicumL. and Polygonum arifolium L., are valuable to wildlife becausetheir seeds provide food for ducks and their foliage providescover for birds and small mammals. They grow mainly in wetland areas and are not known to be invasive.

Highland Park Urns Honor Loved One By Melissa McMasters

Visitors to Highland Parkwill soon notice somenew features when they

stroll through the Entry Garden.This spring, four 4-foot-tall decorative urns will be installed.The metal urns, which sit onsquare granite bases, were generously donated by Roy andSusie Dorrance in memory ofSusie’s mother, Emma Sharp.

“My mother thought that ourcity’s parks were treasures andwas most enthusiastic about theirrestoration,” Susie Dorrancesaid. “She was very proud of Meg, Ritchie [Scaife], and Audrey[Fisher] and grateful for their spearheading efforts and accomplishments.”

“Mother was a native Pittsburgher, who was born in 1909,”Dorrance said. “She grew up near Highland Park and oftenspoke of happy times shared there with her family and friends.As a child, she clearly remembered the welcoming grandeur ofthe park’s entrance. Recently, she was thrilled with the beautyof its restoration.”

The idea of funding the urns was suggested to the Dorrances byToadflax owners Jeff Pierce and Tom Bedger. As project architect, Pierce used his expertise to guide the rotating plantingsof annual flowers that will adorn the urns through the seasons.

The structures have a historic precedent, with photos showing apair of flower-filled urns flanking the Entry Garden fountain close to where the newones are sited.

Susie Dorrance is pleased thatthe classical elegance of the urnswill keep her mother’s memoryalive in a park she adored. “Weare delighted to be able to contribute to the restoration ofHighland Park’s entrance insuch a personal way and inmemory of someone whom wedearly love.”

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DPW Construction Foreman Rick DeCarlo Works to Beautify ParksBy Amy Ripley

Construction foreman Rick DeCarlo hasbeen with the City of PittsburghDepartment of Public Works for 21 years.

His work with the construction division takeshim to the four regional parks and beyond. Wesat down with Rick to ask him what’s happeningin the parks.

What does your work entail?My work varies a lot, but I’ve been working a lotin the RAD parks lately. [Pittsburgh’s fourregional parks receive substantial funding fromthe Allegheny Regional Asset District.] I’ll manage crews with between 6-15 men. We work on trails, repairing or building walls,stream restoration, drainage systems – things ofthat nature.

The City is managing the construction for theRiverview Chapel Shelter, and it’s really com-ing along. You’ve done some work on the trailnearby, right?Yes – we’re working on re-establishing the trailthat connects the Chapel Shelter to the main trailbelow the building and also to the pool. We’vefinished the rough grading. The top coat of

crushed limestone will be laid in the spring.

What other projects have you worked on incollaboration with the PPC?We did the Phipps Run stream restoration in2005, and just this past spring we finished theHighland Park connector trail – the one that is bythe bike track on Washington Boulevard. Thatwas so nice.

Would you consider the new Highland Park

trail your favorite project to date?Yes. It was great because we did everything –there was nothing there at all. Now there’s thetrail, the seasonal pools and bridges. We put allthat in ourselves. But Phipps Run was a greatproject, too – it was a challenge. It was allflooded out and we had to go in there and reroutethe entire stream. It looks fantastic now.

Tell us about your latest projects. Where canyou be seen working now?We’ve been working up in Schenley Park at theOval where they’re refurbishing the track. The

track is finished, and we just removed a tempo-rary bridge that the contractor no longer needed.We also helped save the City some money byexcavating for the irrigation lines that will waterthe landscape at the Chapel Shelter. We havealso buried the electrical lines at the ChapelShelter so the overhead wires can be removed.

With all the work DPW crews do, what’s thebest way park users can help keep the parksin good shape?Garbage is always a problem. So people shouldclean up after themselves and their pets.

A new urn ready for installation

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The restoration of Phipps Run in Schenley Park was one ofthe projects that benefited from DeCarlo’s efforts.

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Page 5Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy Newsletter

The Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy celebrated its ten-yearanniversary on December 12, 2006 with a holiday openhouse at the Schenley Park Visitor Center. To honor theoccasion, Councilman Bill Peduto proclaimed December12 “Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy Day” in the City ofPittsburgh. Councilman Peduto is pictured with PPCBoard Chair Richard Reed (left) and President MegCheever at the open house.

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International Bicycle Trail Care Crew Visits PittsburghBy Jake Milofsky

On October 19, 20, and 21, Pittsburgh hadthe pleasure of welcoming theInternational Mountain Biking

Association (IMBA)’s Subaru/IMBA Trail CareCrew for several days of trail work in FrickPark. During the Pittsburgh stop of the TrailCare Crew’s national tour, the traveling duo oftrail building enthusiasts instructed land managers, recreational mountain bikers, andmany others in the techniques of building environmentally sustainable trails that are lighton the land and considerate of trail users.

Quite often, trails are created hastily by peoplewho are in a hurry to get from one point toanother and have little consideration for the mostsustainable route to take. An example couldinclude heading straight down a hill rather thanmeandering down along the contour lines.Approaches such as this often result in trails thatwash out during rain events, unnecessarilyimpact local plant and animal populations, orintersect dangerously with other trails.

Recognizing this trend as a widespread issue,the Subaru/IMBA Trail Care Crew was established in 1997 to travel the world andinstruct those affiliated with trail use everywherein the techniques of sustainable trail building

and maintenance. It was in this spirit that the Trail Care Crew

came to Pittsburgh. Through the cooperation oflocal IMBA representatives, the City ofPittsburgh, Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy, Nine

Mile Run Watershed Association, REI, and others, two successful days of trail care trainingwere held in Frick Park along with a night of funand fundraising for Pittsburgh Trails AdvocacyGroup at the South Side’s Lava Lounge.

Day one found over 40 land management professionals from the City of Pittsburgh,Allegheny County, and many other groups ofoutdoor professionals at the sustainable trailbuilding workshop, while day two opened thetraining to almost 40 members of the public.The workshop included an informative presentation by the Trail Care Crew highlightingmany of the issues facing trails and the propertechniques for addressing them. Following thepresentation was a trip into Frick Park for somehands-on trail construction, providing attendeeswith valuable skills to bring back to their respective domains.

Pittsburgh is fortunate to have a community ofcivic-minded trail users who volunteer their timeto ensure the responsible use of our parks andtrails. Many of these individuals attended thepublic portion of the workshop, and in partnership with skilled land managers, theyensure the continued social and environmentalsustainability of trails in Pittsburgh.

Participants in the workshop helped build thisbridge near the Firelane Trail in Frick Park.

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Second Annual Madcap Masquerade Enchants

Named one of Pittsburgh’s best partiesby the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette for thesecond straight year, this year’s

Madcap Masquerade thrilled guests with per-formances by Coz Serrapere as Dean Martin,the University of Pittsburgh Drum Line,Squonk Opera, and much more. PittsburghMetropolitan Magazine once again sponsoreda dazzling fashion show that showcased twodozen talented local designers. UPMC HealthPlan was presenting sponsor for the event.Remember, it’s not too early to make plans forthe next Madcap Masquerade, set for October27, 2007!

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Above, clockwise fromleft: Lisa Herring,Michelle Leibow, RonLeibow, and N. WoodyHerring displayed themany faces of AndyWarhol.

Left: Lynn Davenport,Caryn Rubinoff, CraigDunham, and RonDavenport combinedmasked flair with the nostalgia of Sonny andCher.

“With over 14,102 vacant lots, Pittsburghhas a significant problem – but also faces asea of opportunity. Vacant lots can be the

driver for community sustainability, changing atraditional real estate discussion into a cleaningand greening opportunity,” according to a recentstudy by Carnegie Mellon’s Heinz School ofPublic Policy.

On November 2 and 3, with a grant from theSprout Fund, the Urban Ecology Collaborative(UEC) hosted the Pittsburgh Green Forum – avenue for sharing ideas for greening our community through re-use of vacant lots. The

event allowed over 400 Pittsburgh residents toidentify strengths, obstacles, and opportunities toworking in vacant land. Following this, cityofficials, businesspeople, and organizations wereasked how they could assist community members in resolving the vacant lot problem.

Further progress was made by a group of graduate students at the Heinz School of PublicPolicy, who investigated the issue of vacant lotsin Pittsburgh at the request of Mayor LukeRavenstahl, Pittsburgh’s Vacant PropertyWorking Group, and the UEC (of which PPC isa member organization). The recommendations

included a pilot program to reclaim vacant lots,the hiring of a Clean and Green Coordinator, useof a handbook to teach citizens how to revitalizenearby vacant lots, and better use of existingCity resources to more effectively manage land.

Every year, 200 new vacant lots become available in Pittsburgh. How will this land beused--urban farms, new parks, green homes,stormwater abatement? Attendees of thePittsburgh Green Forum have taken a first steptoward making wise decisions about the futureof the land. To learn more, visit http://itclass.heinz.cmu.edu/greenlots/Publications.htm.

Pittsburgh Green Forum Builds Momentum for Vacant Land RevitalizationBy Erin Copeland

PPC Celebrates Ten Years ofParks Restoration and Renewal

Page 6 Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy Newsletter

Pittsburgh’s parks are great open spaces,places for solitude, arenas for fitness, andgathering spaces. But one thing park

users may not realize is that they also serve asexcellent outdoor laboratories for thePittsburgh Parks Conservancy, the City ofPittsburgh, and other partners.Among current investigations taking place in

the parks is the City of Pittsburgh’s NaturalAreas Study. The City has enlisted Biohabitatsas a consultant and will be accelerating thestudy’s pace now that additional funding hasbeen secured. Dan Sentz, EnvironmentalPlanner for the City of Pittsburgh, said, “Thestudy will provide baseline conditions of thenatural areas, identify issues affecting such natural areas in an urban context, and makemanagement recommendations.” Public meet-ings are expected to take place later in the year.

The PPC is currently examining SchenleyPark’s Panther Hollow Watershed in preparation for future restoration efforts. Thewatershed has been impacted by invasiveplants, urban stormwater runoff, and soil erosion. In spite of this, there are sections ofintact wetlands, forests, streams, and wildlifepopulations. PPC staff, Department of PublicWorks crews, and volunteers will be workingto foster less impaired sections and restore therest of the watershed. The PPC has been completing natural areas restoration in all ofthe parks and improving its methods with eachsuccessive project. Moving forward with thistrend, PPC has engaged Carnegie MellonUniversity (CMU) in a research project thatincludes the pre-restoration assessment of thePanther Hollow Watershed.

In summer 2006, as part of a collaborativeresearch effort in Panther Hollow Watershed, ateam of graduate and undergraduate studentsfrom CMU conducted a water quality survey inSchenley Park. They were part of the WaterQuest Program, led by Dr. Jeanne VanBriesen.

The team’s project had three main goals: todetermine the consistency and applicability ofE. Coli test kits used by volunteer groupsacross the country, to engage undergraduatestudents in research and hear about their experiences, and to quantify and establish thesources of E. Coli in Phipps Run, PantherHollow Run and Panther Hollow Lake inSchenley Park. Between June and July 2006,the team took five samples each month from22 locations within the two streams and lake in

a variety ofweather conditions.

The teamfound twowater qualityproblems: highE. Coli levelsand low dis-solved oxygenlevels. Urbanstormwater runoff contributes to high E. Colilevels and may contribute to the decreased dissolved oxygen levels. With this informa-tion, we can design our stream restoration toinfiltrate urban runoff where possible andincrease stream and lake water oxygen. At the PPC, we will continue to foster

academic partnerships and promote the parksas outdoor laboratories through opportunitiessuch as multiple-year or semester-long classes,field sessions, and individual internships. Inaddition to the CMU partnership, we are alsoworking with a University of Pittsburgh engineering class and a Chatham College environmental writing class. A partnership isalso being explored with the University ofPittsburgh Department of Geology andPlanetary Science.

The parks hold many opportunities for futureinvestigation, including invasive speciesimpacts on soil chemistry, urban effects onwater bodies, many different fauna and floralsurveys, and so much more.

Parks Serve as Outdoor Laboratories for PPC and PartnersBy Erin Copeland

Above: Panther Hollow Lake; right, CMU student AlanEaton uses a test kit to measure the lake’s E. Coli levels.

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New Development Coordinator Joins PPCBy Melissa McMasters

In February, Lisa Conti joined the PittsburghParks Conservancy as the new DevelopmentCoordinator. Lisa will be responsible for con-

tinuing the PPC’s fundraising efforts and helping togrow the organization’s funding base. In addition,she will also be assisting with coordinating specialevents such as the upcoming Spring Hat Luncheon. A lifelong resident of Ambridge, Pennsylvania,

Lisa obtained her BS in Business Managementfrom West Virginia University in Morgantown,WV. Prior to joining the PPC, she worked for tenyears at Mercy Hospital. In this role, she focusedon building individual gifts for the Mercy

Foundation. In her spare time, Lisa volunteers with Pittsburgh

Cares. She loves the outdoors and enjoys walking,bird-watching, and flower and vegetable gardening.Her belief that outdoor recreational areas should bewell-cared-for and preserved was part of whatattracted her to her new job at the Pittsburgh ParksConservancy.

“I am looking forward to learning in greater detailabout the PPC and its projects and to getting toknow our donors,” Lisa said. “I’m happy to bepart of an organization that’s working to preserveour natural areas.”

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Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy Newsletter Page 7

Lisa ContiDevelopment Coordinator

Erin CopelandRestoration Ecologist

Melissa McMastersMarketing and Communications

Coordinator

Jake MilofskyField Ecologist

Amy Ripley Grants Writer

Gudrun WellsVolunteer Education

Coordinator

Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy Staff

Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy2000 Technology Drive, Suite 300Pittsburgh, PA 15219412-682-PARK (7275)www.pittsburghparks.org

Meg CheeverPresident and CEO

Debbie BeckChief Financial Officer

Philip J. GruszkaDirector of Park Management

and Maintenance Policies

Roy E. LenhardtDevelopment Director

Beth BodamerAdministrative Assistant

Joyce CollierMembership Assistant

Pittsburgh’s new mayor, LukeRavenstahl, is a lifelongNorth Side resident who

grew up near Riverview Park. ThePittsburgh Parks Conservancyasked Mayor Ravenstahl about hisviews on the opportunities andchallenges facing Pittsburgh’s parksystem.

What do you hope to accomplishfor Pittsburgh’s parks duringyour term?My vision is to ensure that parksare not just invested in andrestored, but that we engage thepeople of the city to use them bydeveloping more user-friendly pro-grams and activities. Specifically,we will make sure that children ofall ages have a reason to go to apark, for sports, recreational activities, or to play. We mustrefocus our resources to restore ahealthy quality of life for everyonein Pittsburgh.

What do you see as some of the majorchallenges facing the parks?Funding is the easy answer. But the major challenge is getting all involved – the agencies,nonprofits, our institutions in medicine and education – to work collaboratively to creategreat plans. By working with organizations like[the PPC], we can continue to create great plansto secure funding. We also must find a balancebetween the nostalgia of the era of great parksand the activities of youth of today.

Do you see parks as an economic benefit?Of course! Our parks are amenities that make

us unique. This has been well studied and documented, but it’s also just common sense.Living and working close to a park, library,trail, recreation center or playground improvesproperty values and overall quality of life.

Are there any plans underway to makePittsburgh a place where green space andenvironmental stewardship are emphasized?Our Green Vacant Property initiative is a comprehensive plan to manage both greenspaces and vacant lots in the city and to activelywork in partnership with stewards of these properties. It also includes and calls for theacquisition of green space, which should be

conserved in perpetuity by deedrestriction because of its site conditions. It includes soil testingand mitigation strategies based onthe site conditions. Also, for thefirst time ever, the city is develop-ing its own Hazard Mitigation Planfor FEMA, which outlines land-slide-prone, steep slope, and floodareas, so that, once again, we canwork to protect these areas andensure, through deed restrictions,that certain green areas of the cityremain protected. In addition, weare supporting the efforts of theMount Washington Community

Development Corporation toincorporate 280 acres of landinto a park system.

What are your views on con-solidating the city and county

parks systems?I was just in Chicago and was veryimpressed with how they created a“Parks District,” which allows for

the operation and capitalization of park spaceregardless of the city budget. In effect for 100years, their model has convinced me that weshould move toward that sort of dedicated taxrevenue system so that not just large parks arefunded, but community pools, recreation centers, and trails as well. I am willing to partner with any governmental entity if it fur-thers our mission to build the best parks systemin the country and saves taxpayers money.

Does any park have special meaning for you?Riverview Park is my favorite because it’swhere I grew up and have many fond memoriesof time spent there.

Interview with Mayor Luke RavenstahlBy Melissa McMasters

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In November 2006, Mayor Luke Ravenstahl attended a ceremony in which thesteeple was reattached to the Riverview Park Chapel Shelter. Pictured are CountyChief Executive Dan Onorato, Councilwoman Darlene Harris, Rep. Don Walko,PPC President Meg Cheever, and Mayor Ravenstahl.

The Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy’s mission is to preserve, protect,renew and restore the great parks of the City of Pittsburgh.

Through PPC’s work, the parks will remain beautiful and useablespaces for generations to come.

You can help support us in our mission by making gifts to the PPCduring your lifetime or under the terms of your will through

planned giving.

To learn more about how you can support the PPC throughplanned giving, contact our office at 412-682-7275.

We urge you to consult with your legal and financial advisors to assist you inarranging the best method of contributing. The PPC is tax-exempt under Section501(c)3 of the Internal Revenue Service Code. Contributions to the PPC are tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law. A copy of the official registrationand financial information for the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy may be obtainedfrom the Pennsylvania Department of State by calling toll free, withinPennsylvania, 1-800-732-0999. Registration does not imply endorsement.

Remember the Pittsburgh ParksConservancy in Your Will or Trust

Page 8 Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy NewsletterNon-Profit Org.U S POSTAGEP A I D

PITTSBURGH, PAPERMIT NO 4906

How much difference can 67 people makein Pittsburgh’s four regional parks,which together make up over 1,700

acres of land? As part of the Urban EcoStewardprogram, these committed volunteers are able tocompletely transform a parcel of parkland overtime. In 2006 alone, 67 Urban EcoStewardsworked a total of 1,900 hours in the parks, giving dedicated care to 50 acres of land.

The Urban EcoSteward program is coordinatedjointly by the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy, theFrick Environmental Center, and the Nine MileRun Watershed, with support from the City ofPittsburgh’s Partners in Parks and the StudentConservation Association. The volunteers’efforts were partially funded by a generous

grant of $5,000 from REI, a recreational andsporting goods retailer located in the SouthSideWorks, and by businesses like Whole Foods.

The ability to take ownership of a piece of theparks was part of what attracted Peter Greningerto the program. When he began working in thecanopy gap area near Schenley Park’s Bartlettplayground last year, the entire area was over-run with invasive porcelainberry vine. With thehelp of PPC staff and numerous volunteers fromREI, Greninger worked to clear the invasivesaway and was surprised at what he uncovered.“It was amazing to see that even underneath asolid blanket of porcelainberry, there were somany wildflowers,” he said. Greninger and hisgroup found Solomon’s seal and Jack-in-the-pulpit plants, along with two walnut trees thatwere covered with the vines.

The Urban EcoSteward program’s goal ofbuilding sustainable urban ecosystems throughcitizen stewardship is accomplished through aseries of trainings held throughout the year onsubjects such as invasive species identificationand control, native seed collection, and erosion control. EcoStewards apply the knowledgefrom these trainings to at least three (but oftenmany more) annual visits to their site, whilealso collecting data that monitors the results ofthe work they have done. This information isreported to field coordinators, who can thentrack the long-term health of these natural areas.

Since the program’s inception in 2004, thenumber of EcoStewards has more than doubled,and the time spent on the sites has increaseddramatically, from about 330 hours the first yearto 1,900 this year.

Greninger hails the program as a way for individuals to make a big difference in theirpublic spaces. “A little bit of effort can bring anessentially devastated landscape back to its natural beauty,” he said.

If you would like more information aboutbecoming an Urban EcoSteward, or about othervolunteer opportunities with the PittsburghParks Conservancy, call 412-682-7275 or visitwww.pittsburghparks.org and click on“Volunteer.” A list of 2007 training dates is alsoavailable on the website.

Urban EcoStewards Create Sustainable Parks Through VolunteerismBy Melissa McMasters

REI store manager Ron Rodriguez presents PPC’sGudrun Wells with a check to fund program activities.

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Urban EcoSteward Peter Greninger waters native plantson the slope in his plot in Schenley Park in summer 2006.

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For the first time, the Pittsburgh ParksConservancy is accepting recurring dona-tions securely online at its website,

www.pittsburghparks.org. Now you can automate your gift to the PPC by choosing anamount to donate at certain intervals and havingyour donation automatically charged to yourcredit card.

Here’s how it works:1. Visit www.pittsburghparks.org and click“Donate Now.”2. Select “Set up a recurring donation online.”3. Choose the amount you would like to donateat each interval (ex: $5 monthly would add upto an annual contribution of $60).4. Choose the interval of your donation.5. Choose the length of your donation period(up to three years).6. Enter billing information, and click “Submit.”7. Your account will be automatically chargedthe amount you selected at each interval. Youcan stop your recurring donation at any time bycontacting PPC at 412-682-7275.

In addition, two websites are giving Internetusers a unique opportunity to support the PPCby performing everyday activities—withoutspending any extra money.

GoodSearch.comHow many times a day do youuse an Internet search engine?

By using GoodSearch.com, you can make eachsearch count. For every search conducted,GoodSearch donates a penny to the PPC andsends a check annually for the total amount.

With so much tosearch for, themoney can addup quickly, sospread the word!And becauseGoodSearch ispowered byYahoo!, you getgreat results.

To start using GoodSearch:1. Go to http://www.goodsearch.com.2. Type “Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy” in the“Who do you GoodSearch for?” box and click“Verify.”3. Type in your search criteria in the “Search theWeb” box.

Note: If cookies are enabled in your browser,then you will only have to type in “PittsburghParks Conservancy” the first time you visit thesite. To learn about enabling cookies, visithttp://www.goodsearch.com/Cookies.aspx.

Giveline.comGiveline.com allows you to turnevery shopping trip into a dona-

tion opportunity. Purchases you would havemade anyway—including electronics, music,and over one million other items—now translateinto dollars for the PPC. For every purchasemade, Giveline will contribute an average 16%of revenues directly to the PPC—sometimes upto 33%! When you select an item, you caneven see exactly how much Giveline willdonate.

There are two ways to sign up:1. To automatically list PPC as the recipient offunds, go to the following website:www.giveline.com/default.asp?v=V034941274

2. Go to http:///www.giveline.com and click“Select” in the brown “Charity Center” tablocated at the top right of the page. In the“Charity Name” box, type “Pittsburgh ParksConservancy.” Click “Search Now.” WhenPittsburgh Parks Conservancy comes up as anoption, click “Select Charity.” Now you canbegin shopping!

Online Innovations Create New Waysto Support ParksBy Melissa McMasters

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Online giving opportunities are just a click away.