Dear Neighbor,

On behalf of our friends at the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy, I’d like to let everyone know about a great event coming up in the city. The 2008 International Urban Parks Conference, Body and Soul: Parks and the Health of Great Cities, will be held September 21-23, 2008. The Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy is producing this conference in association with the City Parks Alliance and the National Association for Olmsted Parks.  The Parks Conservancy has been a great partner to the HPCDC and HPCC on several significant initiatives in Highland Park—saving the Upper Reservoir, building the Babbling Brook, restoring the Welcome Entry gardens and fountain, as well as the upcoming remaking of Heth’s Run—and the Conference is a great opportunity for Pittsburgh to show how these and other accomplishments in our parks are central to the transformation underway in Pittsburgh. To learn more, please check out the conference website, www.urbanparks08.org 

The conference will feature more than 70 leaders from around the world who are helping to shape the future of parks and cities.  Access the list of speakers, moderators, and tour leaders by clicking here.  The conference also offers more than 20 great tours and mobile workshops, including one to Highland Park that I’m happy to be part of along with neighbors State Senator Jim Ferlo, and architect and historic planner Mike Eversmeyer.

David Hance

President, HPCDC