Happy spring, neighbors!

The time for spring cleaning and spring projects has arrived. If you're cleaning house and looking for a way to get rid of some treasures, how about participating in the neighborhood yard sale on June 5th? Registration will open in May. Spring projects also abound across the neighborhood:

• Construction of the new Super Playground has started.

• We heard from PWSA again at our March community meeting about upcoming work to replace water lines and lead service lines.

• Restoration of the historic stone bridge in the park will hopefully begin in a few weeks.

Hibernation is over, it’s time to roll up your sleeves and dig into 2022!

Stephanie Walsh, HPCC President

Playground construction begins

Construction of the new Super Playground is underway! Visit the project website to see plan details and post your photos of the old playground. The HPCC is also collecting photos of your best memories at the playground, some of which will be included in the May newsletter. See the blog for details. Plus, mosaic-making workshops are coming in May - stay tuned for details.

Bike raffle!

Remember Healthy Ride bikes? That system is being retired, rebranded and replaced with a new system that includes e-bikes to help cyclists with all our crazy hills. The old bikes have been cleaned up and the HPCC received 14 that we’ll be raffling off to neighbors. Details will be announced at the April 21 HPCC Community Meeting.

Photo credit: Pittsburgh Bike Share

The city wants to hear from you

Concerned about traffic and pedestrian & bike safety in the neighborhood? The city is inviting anyone to submit a request that a street be considered for traffic calming via its Neighborhood Traffic Calming Program website. Part of how these projects will be prioritized is public input and the squeaky wheel gets the grease, so please participate! To submit more than one street for consideration, fill out the Google form for a single street and after you hit "submit," you will be asked if you'd like to submit another street for consideration. You’ll need to specify your Council District — Highland Park is in District 7.

East Liberty Traffic Concerns? According to the city's pedestrian safety action plan, due to recent and projected development, East Liberty is one of the top neighborhoods for current and projected pedestrian and bicycle crashes. Therefore, the City is developing an East Liberty Traffic Safety & Mobility Plan and identifying potential traffic and mobility issues through data and community engagement. Follow the link on the web page to take the survey to let the city know your East Liberty-specific transportation concerns and suggestions. Note that Stanton Ave. is the border between East Liberty and Highland Park, so Stanton Ave. intersections can be included in feedback for this project.

Wild about urban wildlife? What should individuals and the city do - or not do - as we share our space with deer, opossums, rats, birds, bunnies, and other critters? The City of Pittsburgh is developing an Urban Wildlife Guidebook for residents regarding the ins and outs of urban wildlife. Visit this website to learn more about the city's plans and to take a poll to provide your thoughts and concerns.

Highland Park’s ‘living treasure’

Long-time Highland Park resident Dr. John Boccella has been a dentist in East Liberty for 60 years and has treated the parents and grandparents of some of his current patients. This recent Post Gazette feature that calls him a living treasure describes his family’s beginnings in Pittsburgh and his life and career in the East End, thus providing a fascinating glimpse of a slice of Pittsburgh’s history. Thank you and congratulations Dr. Boccella!

Our condolences

You may have known Hill Jordan as a long-time Highland Park resident and Tazza regular. Perhaps you heard him perform as part of Hill Jordan & Slide Worldwide or The Slide Worldwide Brass Band. Hill was a native Pittsburgher and a well-known and well-loved jazz musician who regularly played clubs and festivals throughout the region - in past years, he even performed at our own neighborhood marathon party. Sadly, Hill passed away unexpectedly last October. The HPCC Board extends its condolences to Hill’s friends and family. He will be missed by the whole community.

Houses, history, n’at

Learn more about the Negleys and other notable names of Highland Park in our latest installment of blog posts about the history of houses in the neighborhood.

News from St. Andrews

There’s a lot happening at St. Andrews this spring:

• Masks are now optional.

• Sanctuary doors are open more often: anyone is welcome to come in and sit for some quiet time.

• In March, St. Andrews is collecting bedding in queen and full sizes for Off the Floor Pittsburgh. Please drop off sheets, blankets and comforters on the porch of the rectory or the narthex.

• St. Andrews is partnering with Hello Neighbor to set up a house in Highland Park for a newly settled family from Afghanistan.

• All are invited to visit the church on Easter (April 17) for an Egg Hunt following the 10:00 a.m. service. The Egg Hunt should start around 11:15 to 11:30. There will be a guest appearance by the Easter Bunny.

St. Andrews strives to be a good neighbor so don’t hesitate to reach out. Always check the website, Facebook page or outgoing phone message for the latest information. Everyone is welcome.