Last year you helped us break ground on our

most ambitious project to date – the new Frick Environmental Center. Construction is now well underway while the environmental education programs are bursting at the seams.

In the 2014-2015 school year you helped our

education programs increased by 29%. Approximately 900 students participated including kids from the School for the Deaf and Spectrum Charter School for kids on the autism spectrum. 2015 summer camps sold out completely with nearly 400 kids and an additional 500 people participated in community education programs.

Outreach opportunities

are in full swing in Homewood thanks to our partnership with PNC’s Buzzword initiative. A new “campership” program is being developed to provide assistance to

families who would not otherwise be able to participate in summer camps.

Currently our capacity does not allow

our programs to meet demand. With your

help, the new Frick Environmental Center will serve a city that is hungry to learn more in nature. Completion is expected by late 2016 and fundraising is ongoing.

contact Kathleen Gaines at kgaines@pittsburghparks.org or (412) 682-7275 x213

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Growing demand for new Frick Environmental Center

In the 2014-2015 school year our education programs increased by 29% and 900 students from 43 classes participated

Donor NewsletterJuly – August 2015

www.pittsburghparks.org

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2 Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy | August – July 2015

This summer, you will begin to see an updated logo for your

Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy. The new logo reflects the bright and focused future of the Park Conservancy, with a distinct leaf-within-a-P as the primary element.

“The oak leaf gives a nod to the Parks Conservancy’s

history, while bringing it into the future with an iconic P design that works perfectly for digital, print, and park applications,” says Scott Roller, Senior Manager Marketing and Communications. “With vivid colors and a fun look, it perfectly represents our enthusiastic Parks Conservancy team, partners, and supporters.”

Then and Now: The Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy logo

You transform our cherished spaces

NOW

THEN

Your brand new Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy

supporter decal is enclosed

A new look for a new decade

$500 donation

Make your mark in Schenley PlazaEngraved bricks under the main tent commemorate life, love and much more

A limited number of bricks remain to be engraved in Schenley Plaza! Get yours today in time to celebrate the Plaza’s 10th Anniversary in 2016!

Write your message to engrave here:

Call (412) 682-7275 for more information

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3www.pittsburghparks.org

Fitness enthusiasts can buff their hearts and

minds with free yoga, Tai Chi and Zumba classes every week. The Oakland Farmers’ Market sets up Friday’s at 3pm through October. WYEP has made the Plaza their outdoor music home with free events like the WYEP

You keep Schenley Plaza programs freePrograms you make possible

Schenley Plaza has been bustling with

activity. Thanks to you, the Plaza is in its 9th season offering approximately 200 free programs each year.

“The Plaza’s program offerings are as

diverse as the people who enjoy the space. People from all walks of life gather here. Parks are the most democratic spaces in our society and nothing illustrates that better than Schenley Plaza on a sunny day,” says Shawn

You created Oakland’s favorite green space in 2006

Fertitta, Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy Senior Manager of Visitor Experience.

Families enjoy a free kid’s day held the

second Sunday each month May - October. The day features free activities for kids of all ages such as balloon

animals, the Citiparks Roving Art Cart, free carousel rides, and more.

The Plaza will welcome more than 500,000 visitors again this year

Music Festival. Other great partnerships include Team Tassy’s Great American Water Balloon Fight and City of Play.

Keep up with all the programming you

make possible at www.pittsburghparks.org/schenleyplaza.

Free yoga in Schenley Plaza every Monday at noon and Saturday at 10am through September

“People from all walks of life gather here.”– Shawn Fertitta

You run (or walk) for educationPark champions like you

On August 22nd 2,000 people will

Run Around the Square, Regent Square that is, and through Frick Park. The race was started in 1982 and has supported the

The race has supported the Frick Environmental Center for more than 30 years

Run Around the Square in Frick Park

Frick Environmental Center almost as long. Says race director Donna Bour, “We run through the park and we get a lot of help from the Environmental Center staff. It just makes sense to support them too.”

The Run Around the Square is one of

Citiparks four largest races. It includes a 5k as well as a dog-friendly (on leashes) 1.5 mile walk/run. Look for Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy staff among those cheering for this great community event. Register at www.runaroundthesquare.com.

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4 Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy | August – July 2015

Early parks volunteer remembered in Mellon Square

Your parks, your stories

In its early days the Parks Conservancy relied

heavily on the volunteered time and talents of visionary people in Pittsburgh. Dorothy Servis was one of them. “Her active participation in our earliest days helped develop the organization’s capacity to implement important projects,” says Parks Conservancy CEO Meg Cheever.

“Dottie” was a trailblazer. She

graduated from University of Michigan law school in 1948 as one of six women in a class of 300. At that time women lawyers faced obstacles, so she was hired as librarian in a law firm, and then as secretary at a division of US Steel. Eventually she became the corporation’s first woman attorney and over time was promoted to Senior General Attorney Environment & Real Estate for US Steel, and later to Senior General Attorney and Assistant to the General Counsel. She retired from US Steel and became Of Counsel to Reed Smith. In her retirement she volunteered for the Parks Conservancy.

Dottie’s friend Jane Rectenwald

approached us to commemorate Dottie’s legacy in Mellon Square. A Sweetbay Magnolia tree had died so a replacement was planted in Dottie’s honor. On a stormy day in June the rain stopped just long enough for 50 friends to gather in the Square to celebrate Dottie’s life with her tree.  

Dottie’s tree joins a historic stand of

Magnolias in Mellon Square, a fitting tribute to a woman who left her own mark on Pittsburgh. “I can’t wait to come back in September and look at Dottie’s tree again,” Rectenwald wrote to us.  “What a special memory you’ve given to so many people.”

Dorothy A. Servis

Summer fun in Mellon SquareCheck out all the FREE programs you make possible in downtown PittsburghTai ChiEvery Tuesday noon – 1:00 pm

YogaEvery Tuesday 5:30 pm – 6:30 pm

Acoustic lunchtime music with Bobby VEvery Wednesday noon – 1:00 pm

Mellon Square Summer Concert SeriesEvery Thursday noon – 1:00 pmPresented by Citiparks in conjunction with Q92.9, 96.9 BOB-FM and Pittsburgh City Paper

Pilates Every Friday noon – 1:00 pmThrough July 31st

Main Fountain Light ShowEvery night at the top of the hour 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm

Dorothy A. Servis was a pioneer professional woman who loved your parks

A tree in Mellon Square will commemorate Dottie’s life

All programs are through the end of August unless otherwise noted

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