Spring: Before You Know It!

With all the sunshine and melting snow we’ve seen over the past few days, it’s hard not to turn your thoughts to spring, when everything in the parks will look new again and there will be tons of opportunities to get outside.  We’ve got a busy slate of events coming up starting in March, including half a dozen volunteer days and a free film presentation.  Check out some of the events on offer below, and visit www.parksarefree.com for more!

Urban EcoSteward Erosion Control Training
Sunday, March 6, 9:00am – 12:00pm
Riverview Park Chapel Shelter

Keep that water from racing down the hillside!  Learn techniques for keeping valuable soil from washing away using plants and other restoration techniques.  Register at www.pittsburghparks.org/uestrainings.

Free Film Screening: “The Olmsted Legacy”
Thursday, March 10, 6:30 – 8:30pm
Carnegie Museum of Art Theater

Join us for a free screening of the documentary The Olmsted Legacy.  The one-hour film examines the formation of America’s first great city parks in the late 19th century through the enigmatic eyes of Frederick Law Olmsted, visionary urban planner and landscape architect.  We’ll follow the film with a panel discussion and dessert reception.  RSVP at www.pittsburghparks.org/filmfestival. 

Schenley Park Volunteer Day
Sunday, March 13, 9:00am – 12:00pm
Bartlett Shelter

Help the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy improve the Panther Hollow Run stream through plantings and other restoration techniques.  To sign up, visit www.pittsburghparks.org/volunteerdays.

Highland Park Volunteer Day
Saturday, March 19, 9:00am – 1:00pm
Pool Grove Shelter on Lake Drive

Help the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy clear a garbage dump site and beautify Highland Park with native plantings.  To sign up, visit www.pittsburghparks.org/volunteerdays.

Cliffside Park Volunteer Day
Saturday, April 2, 9:00am – 1:00pm
Corner of Cliff St. and Cassatt St. in the Hill District

Help the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy continue improvements at Cliffside Park in the Hill District.  To sign up, visit www.pittsburghparks.org/volunteerdays.

Panther Hollow Volunteer Extravaganza
Saturday, April 16, 9:00am – 1:30pm
Meet at Schenley Plaza

Join the Parks Conservancy and many partner organizations for this watershed-wide improvement including tree planting, trash and invasive plant removal, storm drain stenciling, and more.  This year we’ll be working in the park as well as the Oakland neighborhood, and we hope to have at least 300 volunteers!  Learn more and help us meet our goal at www.pittsburghparks.org/extravaganza. 

Riverview Park Volunteer Day
Saturday, April 30, 9:00am – 1:00pm
Riverview Park Chapel Shelter

Help the Parks Conservancy plant native trees and install deer protection to improve park health. To sign up, visit www.pittsburghparks.org/volunteerdays.

Spring Hat Luncheon
Saturday, May 7, 11:15am – 2:15pm
Riverview Park

The Hat Luncheon is the Parks Conservancy’s premier fundraising event, combining high fashion, an elegant meal, and the beauty of Pittsburgh’s natural areas.  In addition to being the can’t-miss social event of springtime, the Hat Luncheon has brought in more than $4 million for the restoration of our city parks.   To purchase tickets, visit www.pittsburghparks.org/springhatluncheon or call 412-682-7275.

Urban EcoSteward Early Season Invasives Training
Sunday, May 15, 9:00am – 12:00pm
Lower Frick Parking Lot off Lancaster Ave.

What’s a “good plant” and what’s a “bad plant?”  Learn how to identify and remove invasive plants early in the season.  Register at www.pittsburghparks.org/uestrainings.

Urban EcoSteward Tree and Shrub ID Training
Thursday, June 9, 5:30 – 7:30pm
Lower Frick Parking Lot off Lancaster Ave.

Ever wonder what that tree is that produces such pretty flowers in spring?  This is the place to come for answers!  Learn some useful tools for field identification of native and non-native trees and shrubs.  Register at www.pittsburghparks.org/uestrainings.

Frick Park Volunteer Day
Saturday, June 11, 9:00am – 1:00pm
Lower Frick Parking Lot off Lancaster Ave.

Join the Parks and Conservancy and the Nine Mile Run Watershed Association in this all-around workday of planting, invasive removal, and cleanup to help improve the Fern Hollow stream, a tributary to Nine Mile Run.   To sign up, visit www.pittsburghparks.org/volunteerdays.

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2011 Urban EcoSteward Trainings

We’ve set the schedule for our 2011 slate of Urban EcoSteward trainings, and this year we have a new partnership with REI that will help anyone looking for more of a leadership role.  This special crew leader training that takes place at REI’s South Side store will demonstrate effective techniques for becoming a volunteer crew leader.  REI will also host two volunteer engagement clinics for members of the community who are interested in learning more about outdoor volunteer opportunities.

Urban EcoSteward trainings provide helpful information for those interested in caring for parkland.  From learning about Pennsylvania’s native wildflowers to the best way to plant trees, you’ll learn things you can apply at home or in your volunteer work.  All trainings are free and open to the public, whether you are an Urban EcoSteward or not.  To register for the trainings or get a printable list, click here.

Winter Gathering
Saturday, January 22, 2:00 – 4:00pm
Environmental Charter School, 829 Milton Street, 15218

Come celebrate Urban EcoSteward successes of the past year and learn about plans for 2011 while enjoying some tasty treats and beverages.

Crew Leader Training
Sunday, February 13, 1:00 – 4:30pm
REI South Side, 412 S 27th Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15203

Learn best practices for leading volunteer crews of 5-15 people; then sign-up as a crew leader for volunteer park activities this year.  (Register for this special training here.)

Erosion Control
Sunday, March 6, 9:00am – 12:00pm 
Riverview Park Chapel Shelter

Learn techniques for keeping valuable soil from washing away using plants and other restoration techniques.

Woodland Wildflowers Walk & Campfire
Thursday, April 28, 5:30 – 7:30pm
Frick Environmental Center

Learn to identify our region’s spring wildflowers. The walk will be followed by a campfire and marshmallow roast.

Early Season Invasive Plants
Thursday, May 12, 5:30 – 7:30pm
Frick Park, lower parking lot off of Lancaster Ave. 

Learn how to identify and remove invasive plants early in the season.

Shrub and Tree Identification
Thursday, June 9, 5:30 – 7:30pm
Frick Park, lower parking lot off of Lancaster Ave 

Learn some useful tools for field identification of native and non-native trees and shrubs.

Late Season Invasive Plants
Thursday, August 25, 6:00 – 8:00pm
Emerald View Park (Greenleaf Parking Lot), 1885 Greenleaf St. 15211

Find out how to identify and remove invasive plants later in the season, focusing on limiting seed dispersal.

Native Seed Collection
Saturday, October 15, 9:30am – 12:30pm
Frick Environmental Center 

Join Kathy McGregor of Sylvania Natives for this always popular hands-on workshop on collecting and storing native seeds.

Planting Techniques
Saturday, November 19, 1:00 – 3:00pm
Emerald View Park (Point of View Statue), at the corner of Grandview Ave. and Sweetbriar St.

Learn how to plant trees, shrubs, and herbs for long term success.

EcoStewards at 2010's winter gathering in Schenley Park.

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Nature Journaling: This Saturday!

We thought we’d bump this great event back up to the top: this Saturday, November 13 is our Revealing Nature Through Journaling event at Beechwood Farms Nature Reserve.  The forecast is calling for a gorgeous day: sunny and 66 degrees, the perfect weather for exploring one of Pittsburgh’s natural treasures.  Plus, you’ll learn how to take that experience of nature home with you without disrupting so much as a leaf.

Your $25 registration gets you:

• A workshop led by Heidi Mullendore, park naturalist for Canoe Creek State Park
• Materials, including your own nature journal to work in and take home
• Lunch
• A 20% discount at the Audubon Nature Store for the day of the workshop

Head over here to register.  You can also sign up over the phone at 412-682-7275, ext. 227.

We’re particularly hoping some of our local educators can make it–because we’ve had so much success with nature journaling in our High School Urban EcoStewards program, we’re excited to get more students involved in documenting their observations.  We hope you can make it!

This workshop is presented by the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy in partnership with Audubon of Western Pennsylvania and the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Bureau of Parks.

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10 Fun, Free Things to Do in the Parks This Week

In case you don’t subscribe to our e-mail newsletter, we’re reposting a guide to some of the many free events going on in the parks over the next week.  We’re getting ready to kick off a second summer of the Parks Are Free campaign, which encourages families to learn about all the great things going on in our park system.  Parks Are Free is brought to you by UPMC Health Plan. 

You can visit ParksAreFree.com anytime to see the latest events.  When you click “View Calendar,” you will find a site searchable by date, park, and event type. 

Horseback riding at Riverview Park Heritage Day.

1. Riverview Park Heritage Day | June 12, 11:00am
This day of fun, food, and celebration begins at 11:00 with a parade and concludes after dark following a Stars at Riverview jazz concert and the kickoff to Dollar Bank Cinema in the Park on Observatory Hill.  more info

2. Mellon Park Walled Garden Dedication | June 12, 8:30pm 
This lovely garden in Shadyside’s Mellon Park has been beautifully restored in memory of Ann Katharine Seamans.  Bring a blanket and join us for music and remarks as we light up the garden for the first time.  more info

3. Cardio Boot Camp at Schenley Plaza | June 13, 11:00am 
We’re launching a new fitness series at Schenley Plaza!  Partnering with X Shadyside, we’re offering free cardio boot camp classes every Sunday, June through August.  Don’t miss the first class this weekend!

4. Family Fun Night in Schenley Park | June 13, 6:30pm
Dollar Bank Cinema in the Park starts early this Sunday!  Family Fun Night brings face-painting, lawn games, and hands-on activities to Flagstaff Hill before a screening of “Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs.”  more info

5. Lunchtime Yoga at Schenley Plaza | June 14, 12:00pm 
It’s back!  Our wildly popular lunchtime yoga series returns for its third year.  Bring some water and a mat (or borrow one of ours) and rejuvenate your lunch break with Folding Space Yoga.  For those who can’t make it out on Mondays, we also offer a free class on Saturdays at 10:00am.  more info

6. Live Music at Schenley Plaza | June 15, 12:00pm
Enjoy a concert with lunch every Tuesday through Thursday at Schenley Plaza. Today’s artist is singer-songwriter Barbara York.  June schedule

Susan K. Rieff

7. Parks Conservancy Speaker Series with Susan K. Rieff | June 16, 11:30am 
The Parks Conservancy, in partnership with the University of Pittsburgh History of Art and Architecture Department, welcomes Susan Rieff to Pittsburgh for a presentation on uniting landscape and building in environmental education.  Rieff is the Executive Director of the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center in Austin, Texas.  This free event is open to the public.  RSVP here

8. Lunchtime Tour of Mellon Square | June 16, 12:15pm 
Spend your lunch hour learning about the history of one of downtown Pittsburgh’s crown jewels on our monthly walking tour of Mellon Square.  You’ll meet your guide Sam Webb at the AFL-CIO sign.  more info

9. Frick Park Walk in the Woods | June 16, 6:30pm
We’ll cross our fingers for sunshine for the first of this season’s Wednesday-night walks in Frick Park.  Walks in the Woods visits a different regional park each week, covering history, ecology, and fun facts about the park.  Your guide for this week’s walk, beginning at the Environmental Center, will be Leo Stember.  more info

10. Mellon Square Summer Concert Series | June 17, 11:00am
Citiparks sponsors this popular downtown concert series in association with Q92.9, BOB-FM, and City Paper.  Today’s performer will be classic rock band Doubleback.   more info

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Lunchtime at Schenley Plaza

It was beautiful out yesterday.  Melissa and I decided to get out of the office at lunchtime and head over to Schenley Plaza to meet about some ideas in the sunshine. 

It is such a great space to get away to in the middle of the day, and skip the monotony of brown bagging it.  I had sushi from Asia Tea House, and it was delicious!  Being there and seeing all the people milling around makes me excited for everything that will be happening this summer. 

Check out our website for more information on our upcoming events at www.schenleyplaza.org. 

 

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