Hello Neighbors!

Did you know that the HPCC is your RCO?

In Pittsburgh, neighborhood organizations can become recognized by the City Planning Department as the community’s Registered Community Organization (RCO). RCO status gives neighborhood organizations a formal role in development projects and neighborhood planning.

RCO requirements apply to certain types of projects that must have a public hearing in front of the Public Art & Civic Design Commission, Historic Review Commission, Planning Commission or the Zoning Board of Adjustment. The developer is required to request, and we’re required to host, public “Development Activity Meetings” - yes, DAM meetings! These meetings provide community members an opportunity to learn about and provide feedback on development activities in their community. After the meeting, the RCO sends a letter with community feedback and concerns (and sometimes also testifies) to the applicable board. In recent years, the HPCC has held DAM meetings regarding requests for non-conformning changes to residential properties in the neighborhood, and to proposed changes to the Zoo entry plaza.  

This is just one of the many services the HPCC provides to help the community be informed and engaged. Follow our blog or Facebook page, or watch the community listserv, for notices about future DAM meetings.

Looking forward to the May flowers all these April showers should bring.

As always, with many thanks,

Stephanie Walsh

HPCC President

Are you in a band or know someone who is? Do you have a connection with someone who has a food truck? We’re looking for bands and food trucks so that we can make the Bryant Street Festival better than ever! If you want to participate or have recommendations, let us know at hpccpgh@gmail.com.

Help Wanted

The HPCC needs you!

Those of you who have been in the neighborhood for a while know that the HPCC has continued to expand its work, advocating for important projects like securing the Bryant St. Parklet for community use and planning your favorite events like the yard sale and the Hullabaloo. If you enjoy these activities, consider getting involved — each of these projects requires many hours of work by dedicated volunteers. Here are some roles we’re currently looking to fill:

• Communications specialists: HPCC is forming a Communications Committee to help with sharing information to the community and promoting neighborhood events and issues. This includes improving coordination and quality of our communication across social media channels, the newsletter, physical mailings, printed flyers, emails, etc. 

• Event planning and day-of volunteers: Are you a food truck gourmet? Music lover? Planning is underway for the Bryant St. Festival (June 2) and our event coordinator is looking for an assistant to help line-up and coordinate food trucks and bands. We’re also seeking volunteers to help with the Hullabaloo and other events.

• Bryant St. Parklet lawn mowing: Everyone’s favorite Bryant St. hang-out needs regular lawn mowing. We are looking for someone who can bring their mower down and give the lawn a trim, as needed.

• Board seats: Join the board! We’ll have available seats starting in June. If you live in the neighborhood, you’re qualified! It’s a great way to get involved, support the neighborhood and have fun.

If you have interest, experience and time to commit approximately five to 10 hours a month, please reach out to volunteers@hpccpgh.org.

Highland Park Deer Hunt

In March, the city released summary information about the pilot deer hunt program in Frick Park and Riverview last year. The city deemed the program a success and during the HPCC’s March community meeting our park ranger, Bram Pert, shared that the city is planning to expand the program to Highland Park this year.

The program was designed to address problems associated with the city’s  unmanaged deer population, including an increased number of vehicle-deer collisions, over-eating of native plants and a loss of natural fear. In 2023, 108 deer were killed during the deer hunt, with 59 of them donated to local food banks that provided 9,440 meals for hungry people.

Hunters are required to undergo a background check, wildlife violation check and an archery proficiency test before they are allowed to hung as part of the program.

You can read more about the program on the city’s deer management website. Stay tuned for opportunities to voice your opinion about the expansion to Highland Park.

Enjoying this newsletter? Become an HPCC member to support more Highland Park community content like this. Membership starts at $10/year. Join or renew today!

Save the Dates

A number of favorite neighborhood events, organized by HPCC, are coming up. Mark your calendars!

April 18: HPCC Community Meeting, Earth Day Theme, Zoom, 7 p.m.

April 20:  Children’s Earth Day Event, 10 a.m. - noon, Super Playground

April 23: Primary Elections 7 a.m. - 8 p.m.

May 5:  Marathon Cheer Party, 8 a.m. to noon, Bryant St. and Highland Ave. near Tazza D’oro

May 16:  HPCC Community Meeting Social at the Bryant Street Parklet, 7 p.m.

May 18: Parklet clean up, 9 a.m. to noon, Bryant St. Parklet

June 2:  Yard Sale & Bryant Street, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Bryant St. and neighborhoodwide. Yard sale registration information coming soon!

August Sundays: Reservoir of Jazz, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., near the fountain in Highland Park

Sept. 19*: Hullabaloo, 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., Rhododendron shelter in Highland Park

*Please note the new date for the Hullabaloo — it has been rescheduled to September this year

Bryant St. Parklet Lease Extended

The HPCC has been working with the Urban Redevelopment Authority to secure the Bryant St. Parklet (on the corner of Bryant St. and Euclid St.) for continued use by the community. While we hoped to buy the land, which would have justified continued investment in improving the parklet, we were unable to negotiate a rate that we could afford. However, the good news is that we were able to sign a five-year extension on the lease, with the opportunity for five renewals — amounting to the potential for community access to the parklet for 25 years.

Stay tuned for more as the HPCC works on plans for improvements and additional uses for the property. Get in touch if you’d like to get involved!

A Note From St. Andrews

Thank you to everyone who donated food items to the East End Cooperative Ministry.

This month, St. Andrew’s is preparing to donate gifts to the graduating seniors of The Neighborhood Academy. Each senior will get a check for $150 to help offset the costs of books and incidentals when they go to college.

Thank you to the families who attended the Easter Egg Hunt on March 31. Lots of fun was had by everyone.

Looking ahead to June, St. Andrew’s will once again be hosting Vacation Bible School for children ages 5 to 10. This year the dates are June 17 - 19 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Crafts, stories and dinner are on the agenda. For more information please email beckymarinov@gmail.com

Please visit www.standrewspgh.org to learn more about mass schedules.

The Highland Park Community Council is an all volunteer-run organization. We are responsible for many of the great events that make this neighborhood so special like the Hullabaloo, the Yard Sale, Light-up Night, the Bryant Street Parklet Pumpkin Patch and so much more. Please consider donating to continue to make this the best neighborhood in the city. If you are interested in volunteering, send an email to volunteers@hpccpgh.org. If you would like to become a supporting member, join here. Memberships start at $10/year.