11 Things You Didn’t Know About Mellon Square: Part 2

May 29th, 2014: The grand rededication of Mellon Square.

Fifty-nine years after the ribbon was cut for the newly constructed Mellon Square, Pittsburghers once again celebrated their Downtown emerald oasis. After a $10 million makeover, the Square is back, looking handsome and vibrant once more.

The ribbon cutting during the Mellon Square rededication.

As we revel in the reopening of the green heart of the Golden Triangle, join us in celebrating this unique space with part 2 of our series of lesser-known features and facts of the Square. (And again, thanks to Parks Curator Susan Rademacher for providing the information below!)

6. Walking on the wild side

A number of Pittsburgh’s city parks were home to animals wilder than deer and pigeons. The Pittsburgh Zoo sits in Highland Park; Riverview Park had enclosures for bear and elk. While Mellon Square was being dreamed up, there was a serious discussion about having live animal displays in this city greenspace.

Among the most talked about potential animal exhibits was one for sea lions. Looking at the sketch below, you can see the circular swimming area and platforms drawn up for flippered park denizens:

7. Hand-picked flowers

No detail was overlooked when it came to Mellon Square’s restoration — including what would be putting down roots there. After taking out a majority of the dead or dying trees and seeing that some greenery was struggling to survive, our park management team decided on more appropriate flora that is rugged and hardy, but also fragrant and textured. Here’s what you’ll see growing there:

Chamomile. Photo: Steve Brace/Flickr license

Magnolia stellata. Photo: Margrit/Flickr license

Bearberry. Photo: Sarah Gregg/Flick license

8. Iconic inspiration

The design and landscaping of Mellon Square sells itself. And over the years, it’s been used to sell products, such as Fort Pitt Beer. It’s also been used in photo shoots, movies, and even a medium for a love letter.

An old ad for Fort Pitt Beer, found during a local Pittsburgh resident’s home renovation, features Mellon Square’s signature cascading fountain. Image courtesy Laura Aguera.

Cover for the Three Rivers Cookbook featuring a painting by Susan Gaca.

Winter in the summer! Batman was shot right beside Mellon Square. Other movies, like The Mothman Prophecies, were shot in the Square.

The text under this Post Gazette clipping reads, “Novel! A swain, as they once were called, apparently performed this feat – or shall we say feet? He walked in the snow at Mellon Square, Downtown, forming the words, “Hi Bonnie.” Who is Bonnie? Perhaps she’s employed at the Penn Sheraton Hotel, from which this photo was taken, and she can look out upon her boy friend’s message.”

9. Investment impact

What’s that old real estate adage? We know it had something to do with location…

When the idea for Mellon Square was put on the table, many property owners in that part of town complained about diminishing property values from lost parking and demolition of the then-deteriorating buildings on that block.

Quite the contrary.

Just as a gorgeous public park is a magnet for new investment, a park that’s rough around the edges pushed investment away. Vacant properties around the Square have started to come back to life in the short time that the Parks Conservancy has been renovating Mellon Square. Said Jeremy Waldrup, Executive Director of Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership, the recent renovation has created an investment uptick to the tune of $200 million around the Square. With the reopening of the Square and a plan to refresh the storefronts on Smithfield Street, new investment and tourism are soon to follow.

Crowds flock to the Square in 1955, much like they do today. Photo courtesy Historic Pittsburgh Image Collections.

10. Bonsai approach

We’ve already talked about the careful planning that went into each of the plant types in the Square. Learning from flora failures there in the past, our stellar gardeners will be using what we like to call the Bonsai approach to keep the trees, shrubs and flowers in the Square growing for a long time to come. This means not letting them get too tall, helping them stay healthy, and making sure they withstand the temperature extremes in the open Square.

A tree being planted in the Square. Photo courtesy Historic Pittsburgh Image Collections.

11. Planning for the future

The chronic issue with Mellon Square has been it’s lack of sustained maintenance. When the Parks Conservancy first assessed the Square, the fountains had not run for years. (They were only put on when a worker was on site to manually check on the fountain every hour because none of the automated controls worked.) The unique terrazzo (the triangle pavement) was grimy and chipped. The stairs were in deplorable condition. Water was leaking into the parking garage below.

Without a long-term maintenance plan, the restoration of the Square would have been done in vain. But with a new, thoughtful plan — and a $4 million maintenance budget — in place, Mellon Square will continue to shine on for generations to come.

Mellon Square is now open for all to enjoy. Check our Facebook and Twitter to see pictures of the opening ceremonies and festivities, mark your calendars for upcoming Mellon Square events, and of course, visit the Square the first chance you get!

Content for this blog was adapted from a presentation by Parks Curator Susan Rademacher.

Some of the Parks Conservancy gang on opening day.

Finding Love in the Park

It all started with Lucinda Williams.

Actually, let’s rewind a bit. Back to a time when a young Paul Alessio and Lynne Glover were just kids, finding adventure and foul baseballs in the woods and ballparks of New Castle and Penn Hills. In those days, you could find both youngsters exploring and playing in the parks and creeks around their neighborhoods all day long, swimming and climbing until the street lights came on.

“I remember one time, at a park, at a picnic, my best friend and I getting lost. We had no idea where we were. But it was one of the greatest adventures, you know? It was exciting!” That sense of being lost, being scared, was a childhood adventure that for Lynne was one of the many reasons to love the outdoors.

Lynne and Paul never lost that passion for being outside, especially when they found each other.

At one fateful Lucinda Williams concert, Paul made the fortunate mistake of stepping in front of Lynne just as the music was starting.

“I thought you were tall enough to see!” claims Paul.

Lynne and Paul on their wedding day at Schenley Park Cafe.

Years later, Lynne and Paul, along with their family and friends, found themselves in a place most fitting for this new chapter in their lives: their wedding in Schenley Park. Both lovebirds had at one time been Pitt Panthers, finding escape in the park on bike rides and hikes, getting back to nature to keep the stress of college away. They came across the Schenley Park Cafe sometime during their wedding venue search shortly after its renovation, and knew that it was the perfect spot to exchange vows.

“That venue brings nature into the building. Our family and friends were walking down that Belgian-block trail on our wedding day,” remembers Paul.

“Everyone says that that was one of the best weddings they’d ever been to,” says Lynne.

Lynne and Paul smooching as husband and wife.

Paul and Lynne with their family.

Following a honeymoon chock-full of park visits on the West Coast, Paul and Lynne have now celebrated eight years together. Lynne, Communications Director at VisitPittsburgh and Paul, Project Manager at the Urban Redevelopment Authority, are change-makers across Pittsburgh and in their community of Lawrenceville. They share time in their neighborhood park, Arsenal, with their kids and grandchildren and enjoy two of their big loves — music and nature — at the outdoor concerts at Schenley Plaza.

We love stories with happy endings. Two people who loved to get lost in nature find themselves with their better half. And in two years, we’re excited to wish Paul and Lynne a happy ten year anniversary at the exact spot where they were married — Schenley Park.

Paul and Lynne, eight years strong.

Lauryn Stalter for the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy

Sometimes, it’s great to lose yourself in nature. But for those times when you want to find your way again, we have just the thing. Check out the new MyPGH Parks app, where you’ll have access to all of the trails, sites and events in Schenley, Highland, Frick, Riverview and Emerald View Park. It’s free and available now on Android and iPhone platforms.

Confessions of a park volunteer

Steve, leading a crew at this year’s Panther Hollow Extravaganza

I must say, before I volunteered with The Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy, I thought I had a pretty good handle on things.

I grew up in the 60’s in the country. My dad never owned a TV and there were no video games, personal computers, calculators, or cell phones. The woods and fields of Armstrong County were my playground. I lost countless hammers and saws building forts in the woods, aggravating my dad to no end! My Schwinn was my best friend.  We read books – lots of them. We had a garden the size of a football field. We raised chickens and ducks and I worked on a nearby farm. I drove a farm tractor before I was allowed to drive a car. So, as an adult, I thought I knew quite a lot about quite a lot.

That changed when I turned 50, my milestone. My kids were grown and on their own. I had time. I needed something to do. One day, while looking for maps online, I stumbled across The Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy web site and the Urban EcoSteward program. So I joined. While attending Urban EcoSteward training, I was surprised to find out I didn’t know so much.

Each training session involved actual field practice – not much classroom time here. We learned by doing. Rain or shine we learned how to plant trees by planting trees. We learned to identify invasive plants by going out and removing them spring, summer, and fall. There were a variety of trainings, too, like seed propagation, erosion control, and winter tree ID.  The Parks Conservancy staff, past and present, are all wonderful, friendly, helpful, dedicated, and most of all, knowledgeable people. But there was a problem.

The oak wilt site in Highland Park

Now that I was familiar with most of the invasive species present in our parks, I saw them everywhere. I could spot them a mile away along roads, in fields, in the woods, and even in the city.  Everywhere! What a jolt. I had to sort this out somehow. How could we possibly win this battle? The answer, I think, is with more volunteers working with The Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy and many other organizations committed to restoring our woodlands. So how could I help? I became a crew leader with the training of the Parks Conservancy. That is how! The more volunteers there are, the more work that can be accomplished. At least I can be part of the solution.

Each experience I’ve had with the Parks Conservancy is remarkable to me and repeated by many others I’m sure. Here are just a few:

• Finding a dozen tires on my EcoSteward site and carrying them to a designated drop off a hundred yards away. Not only are tires unsightly, but they breed mosquitoes. Here’s to your health!
• Leading a crew of 6^th graders from the Winchester Thurston School who were celebrating the school’s 150^th anniversary by planting 150 trees in the Highland Park oak wilt area. I could tell they had loads of fun getting out of the classroom and digging in the dirt.
• Three pawpaw trees and one redbud volunteered to grow on my site. Deer fence were installed to protect these new trees, thanks to a Highland Park work day crew.
• Teaching a volunteer how to blow his nose in the woods without a hanky. (Isn’t that what long sleeves are for?)
• Opening a hydrant (authorization required!)
• Picking garbage off the hillside above the oval bike loop in Highland Park and selling the recovered scrap metal to help the Pittsburgh Trails Advocacy Group build and maintain multiuse trails on that hillside. To this day, I still walk these trails with my Chihuahua, the fastest Chihuahua in Pittsburgh!
• Planting dozens of trees on a landslide in Riverview Park, preventing further erosion.
• Planting ten or so hackberry trees on my site. I carried buckets of water from a seemingly great distance to help those trees survive.
• Girdling Norway maple and sycamore maple (invasive species) on my site. They eventually die and fall. Watch out!

If I sound excited, it’s because I am. Yes, I get irritated at people who litter. I fall a lot and I get dirty (my balance isn’t what it used be). Poison ivy beats me up at least once a year. But I’m always having fun and learning, thanks to The Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy.

Steve Harvan, a long-time volunteer and Urban EcoSteward with The Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy. Learn more about Steve and his love of the parks on his blog and photography site.

A cardinal in the park, captured by Steve

What’s in Bloom – September 2012

Fall is coaxing its way in and football weather is upon us. The annual closet exchange from breezy summer clothes to cozy winter attire is underway and leaf-peepers have their cameras on deck anticipating the gold and crimson hues of a Pittsburgh autumn. Don’t worry, there will be an abundance of beautiful fall photos throughout the season, but in the meantime, enjoy some final splashes of pinks, purples and greens in our September What’s in Bloom.

Highland Park Entry Garden

Anemone (anemone x hybrida) ‘Honorine Jobert’

Aster & Helianthus

Aster & Summer Annuals

Flower Sage (salvia nemerosa) reblooming

New England Aster (aster nova-angliae)

Rubbeckia ‘Herbstsonne’

Riverview Visitor Center

New Guinea Impatiens & Canna Lily

Schenley Park Cafe and Visitor Center

Pink Begonia

Pink Begonia layered in front of more Pink Begonia ‘Dragon Wings’ & Euphorbia ‘Diamond Forst’ planted in the pots.

More layers of Pink Begonia & Euphorbia

Mellon Park Walled Garden

Anemone (anemone x hybrida) ‘Honorine Jobert’

Begonia, Pennisetum ‘Fireworks’ & Angelonia

Keep up with the ever-changing color palette of Pittsburgh parks by following us on Pinterest, Facebook, and Twitter. If social media’s not your cup of tea, be sure to sign up for our e-news to stay up-to-date on all the exciting things happening at the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy. We have some new ideas and projects swirling around and you won’t want to miss out!

What’s in Bloom – August 2012

When did it get to be August already? Summer may be flying by and have you itching for fall colors, but there are still plenty of summer flowers blossoming. Check out what’s in bloom in Pittsburgh’s parks this August!

Riverview Chapel Shelter

Summer Annuals (dusty miller, vinca, blue salvia, red celosia, pennisetum grass)

Summer Annuals (profusion zinnia mix, marigold mix, celosia, blue salvia, pink begonia)

Highland Park Entry Garden

Aster (aster nova-angliae)

Black-Eyed Susan (rudbeckia fulgida ‘Goldsturm’)

Canna Lily (canna species)

Hardy Sunflower (helianthus x multiflorus ‘Meteor’)

Hardy Sunflower (Helianthus species)

Schenley Plaza

Summer Annuals (banana tree, mixed celosia)

Summer Annuals (caladium ‘Arron’ and ‘Carolyn Warton’)

Summer Annuals (dragon wing begonia, golden coleus)

Summer Annuals (pink begonia, vanilla marigold)

Summer Annuals (pink geranium, white alyssum)

Summer Annuals (red salvia, marigold, blue lobelia)

Summer Annuals (sweet potato vine, zinnia, croton)

Mellon Park Walled Garden

Daylily (hemorocallis ‘Happy Returns’)

Salvia (salvia nemerosa ‘Eastfriesland’)

Liriope (liriope muscari)

If you’re like us and can’t imagine Pittsburgh’s breathtaking park gardens without these vibrant bursts of plants and flowers, consider giving a gift to support park restoration. If you’d rather just get down and dig in the dirt yourself, we’re always looking for volunteers!