At the turn of the 20th century, Pittsburghers weredrawn to Panther Hollow Lake and Boathouse inSchenley Park for leisurely fishing and boating,

wintertime ice skating, a lunch break during the work day,or perhaps a romantic interlude.

Today, there is no boathouse and no more boaters. Whatwas once a grand gathering space is now largely unknown

to many Pittsburgh residents, and the site is suffering frompollution, severe erosion, crumbling infrastructure anddeclining populations of native plants and wildlife. Accessis difficult and involves confusing, downhill trails andunstable steps. The boathouse was demolished in 1979.

For years, both PPC and the City Department of PublicWorks have worked in the upper portions of the PantherHollow watershed to remedy erosion and rampant invasiveplant populations – the first steps in reestablishing an envi-ronment that could sustain the lake’s eventual restoration.

PPC is now laying groundwork for the ecological reha-bilitation of the lake and the surrounding hillsides andlandscape.

The Panther Hollow watershed is formed from two natu-rally wooded ravines that begin near Carnegie MellonUniversity and the western edge of Squirrel Hill. The val-ley runs behind the Schenley Park Visitor Center, and thesmall waterways feed into Panther Hollow Lake, whichwas excavated for boating in 1909.

The lake and its surrounding landscape have borne thebrunt of collapsed drainage systems within the hollow. Ithas silted to half its original depth and is inhospitable tomany forms of life.

Cahill Associates, specialists in sustainable watershed

High School Interns Restore ParksBy Alice Enz

For the past four months RyanLaib and Hilary Morgan haveused Pittsburgh’s parks as a

learning laboratory. On a weekly basisthey have been learning about ecologyand also helping to restore the healthof the four regional parks.

The work that they do has a two-foldimpact. In doing park restoration theyare also receiving credit toward highschool graduation. Their work includesinvasive plant removal, collection of

native plant seeds and replanting parkmeadows.

For Morgan the experience willdirect her decisions about her careerpath as she heads to college next year.“I want to study biology and ecologywhen I go to college,” she said. “It’snice to have a real life experience andknow what I’m getting myself into.Who knows, I could have hated being

TT hh ee VV oo ii cc eeMaking the Grass Greener in Our Own Back Yards • Frick, Highland, Riverview & Schenley Parks Winter 2006

page 3

Plaza Premieres inJune

page 3

Best Party of 2005

SEE INTERNS, PAGE 4

Pictured at leftare internsRyan Laib andHilary Morganwith PPC field coordinatorJake Milofsky.They have justended a day ofremoving inva-sive Porcelainberry from theslopes ofSchenley Park.

Polluted, stagnant water poses a threat for fish and wildlife thatinhabit Panther Hollow Lake.

Schenley Park Lake Needs To Be RestoredBy Amy Ripley

SEE LAKE RESTORATION, PAGE 4

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Great Gift for ParksBy Alice Enz

Carol Hershey is a long-time supporter of Pittsburgh’s parks.

Carol Hershey has been a park user since she first cameto Pittsburgh in fifties to attend the University ofPittsburgh. During her years in the city she spent a

great deal of time in the parks and credits her daughter’s loveof the natural world to Schenley Park. As a long time park usershe witnessed the parks falling into disrepair in the 80s and 90sand many futile short-term restoration efforts. It wasn’t until aconcerned group of citizens got together and formed the

SEE GIFT, PAGE 3

Just nine years ago, a group of citizenstired of witnessing the neglect anddeterioration of our city’s largest parks,

joined together and formed the PittsburghParks Conservancy. This small handful ofcitizens had a great vision to restore oururban green spaces.Today, this vision is backed by a donor base of

more than 7,000 people.These donors share the conviction that

parks are so important to their quality of lifethat these green spaces are worth their atten-tion, time, and money. Seven thousand peo-ple trust the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy to

wisely channel support toward the transformation of our city’s decliningnatural areas.

We can’t thank you enough for your vote of confidence.Without your decision to support the PPC, the resounding collective

power of our constituency, would be nonexistent. Through your gifts oftime, financial support or simple care of our parks, you show our neigh-borhoods, our corporate and foundation community, and our governmentthat parks are valuable.

With you standing behind us adding credence to our mission and pro-vide a driving force in our ability to secure federal, state and city fund-ing. Businesses are proud to support the PPC because they see thou-sands of citizens demonstrating that parks are a vital resource to them.Philanthropic foundations feel they can make a difference by fundingwork that so many enthusiastically support.

Your decision to be an actively support the PPC exponentially increasesour progress in revitalizing our parks as sources of personal renewal,havens for diverse flora and wildlife, and centers of recreational enjoy-ment.

On behalf of the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy I am so grateful thatyou share our vision for restoring Pittsburgh’s great parks. We havecome quite far in nine years, having completed six capital park projectsand ecologically restored many acres of parkland.

But our work is far from complete and I encourage you to continuevoicing your support of Pittsburgh’s parks through our organization.Every donation counts, every volunteer hour helps, and every act ofstewardship is significant.

MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT

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Donors Strengthen the Parks

Do You Know All the WaysYou Can Help?

Did you know in 2005 alone more than 10,000volunteer hours were logged by dedicated ParkFriends like you working within the 1,700 acres

of urban park land? Our committed friends removedinvasive plant species, curbed erosion, improved trails,and planted native species in the four great parks –Frick, Highland, Riverview, and Schenley.

Your volunteer hours make a difference in our parks!

There is still so much more to be done. Here is howyou can help:

While growing up inPittsburgh’s East End, mybrothers, sister and I spent

our summer afternoons swimming atthe Highland Park pools. At that time,there were two large pools side by side– one that started at one foot depth andwent to four feet. Outside the poolgrounds, facing Lake Carnegie (whichwe called the “Pond”), was a refresh-ment stand, the steps of which are stillvisible. When cold weather froze thewater in the pond with enough ice tosupport skaters, the refreshment stand’s“windows” were covered and the standwas heated and had park benches

inside for skaters to use to change intotheir skates and to warm up in betweenspins. Young hockey players used thefar end of the pond where a woodenwalkway separated them from therecreational skaters. That walkway isnow cement.

When I married in 1962, I moved tothe suburbs. In 2000, my husband andI moved back into the city. Again, Iswim at Highland Park pool, one of thebest pools for lap swimming in the cityor anywhere. It is a treasure!

Lynne F. Soltis, Shadyside

Volunteer in the Parks – Everyone is welcometo participate in our regular volunteer days to removeinvasive species, plant natives, and control erosion. Become an Urban EcoSteward – Join as anindividual, family or with a group of friends to main-tain a specific site in any of the four parks. Lead Park Walks – Nature-lovers who are comfortable talking to small groups can be of greatservice by volunteering to lead park walks as docents.Advocate for Our Parks – Attend City Councilmeetings, write to your representatives, have a voice inthe policies that are affecting our park system.Communicate With Us – We always want tohear from the public. So if you read an interesting arti-cle in a magazine or newspaper, send it to us. If youknow of a website that is full of useful information, letus know. If you want to share with us why parks are soimportant to you – we would love to hear.Tell Your Friends – Word of mouth is the bestform of communication. Let your friends, neighbors,and co-workers know what good things we are doingin the parks. Encourage them to volunteer or become amember. The more of us that are in this together, thefurther we can go.Use the Parks – These treasured green spaces haveso much to offer as places of refuge, recreation, social-ization, and just plain fun. Get out there and enjoy them!

To learn more about these fun andexciting volunteer opportunities, please

call us at 412-682-7275.

Memories of Highland Park

The above photo, circa 1910, shows the community partaking in the popular pastimeof ice skating on Highland Park’s Lake Carnegie.

Meg Cheever President and CEODebbie Beck Chief Financial OfficerPhilip J. Gruszka Director of Park Management

and Maintenance PoliciesJessica Todd Development CoordinatorAlice Enz Communications ManagerAmy Ripley Projects Coordinator

Mary Beth Steisslinger Restoration CoordinatorBeth Bodamer Administrative AssistantGudrun Wells Volunteer Education CoordinatorJake Milofsky Field Coordinator

Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy Staff

2000 Technology Drive, Suite 300Pittsburgh, PA 15219412-682-PARK (7275)www.pittsburghparks.org

Page 3Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy Newsletter

PPC’s Madcap Masquerade Named2005’s Best PartyPhotos by Mary Jane Bent

The first annual Madcap Masquerade was adazzling evening to raise money forPittsburgh’s parks. Entertainment went

well into the night with performances by theZany Umbrella Circus, a tribute Beatles band,the Tom Roberts Quartet and a Couture Noirefashion show sponsored by PittsburghMetropolitan Magazine and Pittsburgh 365 TV.Ariba was the presenting sponsor. If you missedthis wonderful event, rated by the PittsburghPost-Gazette as the best party of 2005, be sureto mark your calendar for this year’s event onOctober 28, at the Hunt Armory.

At left are RobbeeKosak, Tom Kosak andHilary?? who went allout for the occasion.Below a runway modelwearing a localdesigner’s dress andmask.

The grand opening of Schenley Plaza as the dynamic entrance toSchenley Park is slated for June.

“Schenley Plaza will be the hot spot in Oakland, especially duringlunch when people can get out the office, into the fresh air and outdoorsto enjoy a quick bite with friends and co-workers,” said Meg Cheever,PPC president.

Four food and drink kiosks will line the main promenade. The locally-run kiosks will offer a variety of food choices. Gourmet hot dogs andbratwurst are planned as the specialty at The Dog House, which willalso offer a variety of salads, wings and milkshakes. Schenley Pizza willoffer Italian fare including pizza, stromboli, pasta and salads. Freshsushi will highlight the Asia Tea House menu along with other favoritessuch as, General Tso Chicken, fried rice and egg rolls. And the BagelFactory will offer breakfast and lunch options including breakfastbagels, pastries, coffee, and a variety of more than 20 bagel sandwiches.

In 2007, the Plaza will offer even more variety for the lunch and din-ner crowd when Atria’s opens as a full-service restaurant with indoorand outdoor dining.

Schenley Plaza will offer a large lawn with chairs and café tables, andstylized benches surrounded by colorful gardens all of which will act asa gathering space for the Oakland community.

“I love the fact that Schenley Plaza is practically in our front yard,”said Barbara Mistick, director of the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh.“The Plaza creates an interesting partnership between libraries andparks where families can enjoy each others’ company in an environmentthat is free from admission fees. The new space brings an unlimitedamount of possibilities to Carnegie Library as we begin to expand ourreach outside the library’s walls. I’m expecting to see many parentsreading to their children in between turns at the new carousel.”

The Victorian-style carousel, will be adorned with 15 animals, a hand-icap accessible chariot and a spinning tub suitable for the smallest chil-dren and their parents. Rides will cost $1.25 and the carousel area canbe rented for private parties and special events.

There will be a diverse palate of programming at the plaza. Everyweekday, people canenjoy live localmusic during theirlunch break. Docent-led walks everySunday will share thehistory, ecology, andculture of SchenleyPark. And forevening fun, it isexpected that aNational Geographicfilm series will beheld in July.

For more information pleasecontact the PPCoffices at 412-682-7275.

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nzIn the foreground are two of four food kiosks that will open soon inSchenley Plaza. Everything from breakfast sandwiches to sushi togourmet bratwurst will be available when the plaza opens in June.

Schenley Plaza to Premiere in JuneBy Jessica Todd

IT’S NOT TOO LATE TO SPONSOR A BENCH OR BRICK

IN SCHENLEY PLAZA. FOR MORE INFORMATION ON

DONOR RECOGNITION OPPORTUNITIES CALL

412-682-7275.ALL DONATIONS OF $10,000 AND ABOVE WILL BE

RECOGNIZED ON A PERMANENT PLAQUE IN THE PLAZA.

Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy that she really started to seemajor improvements in the park.

“I didn't feel empowered to do anything by myself. For thefirst time there was a group that was advocating for long-term solutions, not just quick fixes,” Hershey said. “TheConservancy has been so essential to long-term planning.The people in the Conservancy have been able to providethe expertise to both the city and to people like myself whowant to do things in the parks.”

Hershey has always been an active member of the PPC andis a former board member, but it wasn’t until recently thatshe decided she wanted to make a more targeted gift to thepark. “I had been looking for a way to contribute to thepark and I didn't want to wait and just leave something inmy will. I wanted to see that things were happening and andthat’s when I made the commitment of the money for thisyear. It took me a year or so to get it together. We’re notwealthy donors, we’re very comfortable, but we’re puttingresources where our hearts are. I love the idea of being partof something growing. And I can see it happening.”

Carol made a $10,000 contribution to the PPC. She desig-nated funds to go toward a bench in the Panther Hollow thatsits in the meadow. In addition, she also designated a portionof the gift to go toward deer protection in Frick Park. “Iasked Phil Gruszka, the PPC Director of Park Managementand Maintenance, where my support would help most. Hetold me that without tree tubes and fencing in Nine MileRun in Frick Park many of the new trees and plants would-n’t make it because of deer browse,” Hershey said. “It wasn’tthe most glamorous of gifts, but it is having a huge impacton the ecological health of the park.”

The PPC is thrilled to receive such a wonderful and lastinggift. If you are interested in making a designated gift toPittsburgh’s parks call 412-682-7275 for more information.

GIFT, FROM PAGE 1

management, are developing the lake’s restoration plan. “Before we develop a program for the physical restoration of the lake site,

we need to understand the basic dynamics of the watershed – for example,the flow of storm-water runoff and the watershed’s pollutant load,” saidTom Cahill, president and founder of Cahill Associates. “Then we can cre-ate a plan to turn this polluted, smelly body of water into the centerpiece ofthe Panther Hollow restoration.”

PPC is working with a variety of community and government groups andleaders to research the watershed’s hydrological balance, as well as deter-mine how to improve pedestrian and vehicular access to the site.

More than 30 scientific and educational leaders from various universitieshave voiced interest in participating in an academic study team. Large-scalestudent volunteer days are being scheduled to implement erosion-controlmeasures in Panther Hollow.

“The central idea to this restoration is using community resources torestore a valuable community asset,” said Meg Cheever, PPC president.“This is important. Restoring the lake is no small undertaking and we needall hands on deck. Fortunately, it seems that people want to see the lakerestored to the way it once was – or even better. And they’re willing to help.”

Page 4 Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy Newsletter

INTERNS, FROM PAGE 1outside and around plants and trees.”

Morgan attends City High School and has to completean internship and final project to graduate. For her finalproject she will steward a quarter-mile site in Frick Parkand present the improvements in ecological biodiversityand erosion to her classmates.

Laib, a sophomore, home-schooled student, has thor-oughly enjoyed everything from collecting native wild-flower seeds to learning about the chemistry of theNorway maple and how its emits chemicals into the soilwhich inhibit the grown of our native species.

“This has been a great experience and I think morepeople should do it,” said Laib. His final project will bea hybrid of ecology and art, an “educational and action-packed” comic book about invasive plants. He hopes toproduce multiple copies that will be available to the public.

Look for Morgan and Laib on Thursdays in one of theregional parks. They’ll be happy to give an impromptulesson on the difference between invasive Porcelainberry and our native grape.

Common name: Garlic mustardScientific name: Alliaria petiolataOrigin: Europe, likely introduced forfood and medicinal purposes.Threat: Garlic mustard displacesmany native spring wildflowers thatoccur in the same habitat. Habitat: It occurs in a wide range ofmoist to dry habitats including road-sides, floodplains, and forest edges andinteriors. Size: Flowering plants range from one to four feet inheight.Identifying characteristics: Crushed leaves andstems have a garlic-like odor. First-year plants have arosette of kidney-shaped leaves that stay greenthrough winter. In its second year, a rapidly growingshoot forms with clusters of small white flowers inearly spring. Look-alikes: Toothworts, sweet cicely, and anise.Control techniques: Because seeds can survive inthe soil for more than five years, management requiresa long-term commitment. It is most effective to removeplants in early spring before they go to seed. Simply pull plants out by the roots for effective removal. After plants have gone to seed be sure to bag them (June-August).Native alternatives: Wild ginger, lady fern, creeping phlox

The Invasive Advisor: Garlic MustardKeep your eyes peeled and begin removal in early spring.

Invasive plants are choking out the biodiversity of our natural areas – and it starts in ourown back yards. These invasive, non-native plants are not part of our original habitat, butwere introduced from other countries, often for gardens and landscaping. With few or nonatural enemies, you can now see these plants taking over entire landscapes like roadsides,disturbed woodlands and our parks.

Above are first-year leaves of Garlicmustard.

At left, theGarlic mus-tard flower.Make sure toremove theplant while itis floweringbefore it goesto seed.

LAKE RESTORATION, FROM PAGE 1

Panther Hollow by night: in its heyday of the early 1900s.

PPC Wins Arbor Day Award

The International Society of Arborculture honored thePPC with their highest award of “Most OutstandingArbor Day Activity.” The award recognized the PPC’sefforts to plant elm trees in Schenley Park with kidsfrom the PA Community Intensive Supervision

Students involvedin thePennsylvaniaCommunityIntensiveSupervisionProgram get intothe park andplan elm treesalong SchenleyDrive inSchenley Park.

Four months after Hurricane Katrina struck, NewOrleans City Park is starting to look like a parkagain. Approximately 95% of the 1,000 trees thepark has lost, as well as other debris, have beenpicked up and removed. Birds and ducks havereturned to the lagoons and so too have childrento feed them. Unfortunately nearly all the park’srevenue producing facilities remain closed. The1,300-acre park normally raises 98% of its $10.8million operating budget each year. With facili-ties closed, the park’s severe cash crunch contin-ues. To make a donation or learn more about thepark, visit http://www.neworleanscitypark.com.

New Orleans City ParkBegins to Rebuild

Learn more about how to identify and remove invasive Garlic mustard.Come to a Highland Park Volunteer Day April 1st 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Call 412-682-7275 for more information.