Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy News

Contact:  Laura Cook
412-682-7275, ext 220
lcook@pittsburghparks.org

250 Volunteers to hit the Parks

(PITTSBURGH – October 14, 2008) –

The Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy and the City of Pittsburgh Department of Public Works will take 250 volunteers into the parks on Saturday, October 18 as part of the University of Pittsburgh’s Make a Difference Day.   The Parks Conservancy will partner with Pittsburgh Trail Advocacy Group to work with volunteers in Frick Park and Riverview Park where they will do trail work, invasive species removal, gully repair, and plant trees. Volunteers will also work in Highland Park where they will pick up trash and work to remove invasive vines.   The work will not stop there.

Find the Rivers and the Hill House will partner with the Parks Conservancy to take volunteers from the Cliff Street Park to the Arcena Overlook.  Volunteers will clean up trash and work to open up a walkway that connects the Arcena Overlook to the Bedford Hill Development within the Hill District. 

                A Crew Leader Training Program was implemented for this event, training 9 individuals, that included an overview of tree planting, vine work, as well as heavy emphasis on safety and engaging volunteers.  Through Make a Difference Day, the University of Pittsburgh strives to bring a total 2000 students into the city to volunteer on October 18.  Special thanks to the City of Pittsburgh, Department of Public Works who assisted with site preparation throughout all of the sites for the day, provided supplies and organized the use of dumpsters and trash disposal services for the day. 

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About The Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy

The Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy, in partnership with the City of Pittsburgh, is working to improve quality of life for the people of by permanently restoring the park system to excellence in partnership with the City. Restoration efforts are conducted with environmental sensitivity and respect for the parks' historic landscape design and the recreational needs of modern users.  For more information, please visit www.pittsburghparks.org.