LOCAL GROUPS TO SCALE AND RAPPEL SLOPES WHILE CLEANING UP EMERALD VIEW PARK

PITTSBURGH – April 9, 2021 – The Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy and the Explorers Club of Pittsburgh will host the 28th annual Emerald View Park cleanup event in Mount Washington on April 10 from 8:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Experienced rock climbers and mountaineers from the Explorers Club of Pittsburgh and Allegheny Mountain Rescue Group will use their climbing skills and equipment to rappel from the Overlook at Grandview Avenue and Maple Terrace to safely remove litter that has accumulated on the steep slopes of Mount Washington over the past year. 

“We are excited to welcome the Explorers Club of Pittsburgh back to this annual event,” said Kathryn Hunninen, senior manager, special initiatives, Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy. “We admire their commitment to helping clean up Emerald View Park. While last year’s event was sadly postponed, we are excited for the return of this decades-old Mount Washington tradition.”

There will be two work shifts staffed by volunteers. Experienced rock climbers are encouraged to join the cleanup event, but advance registration is required. Proper gear and protection will be supplied by the Explorers Club.

"Emerald View Park is beloved in Mount Washington, Duquesne Heights, and throughout the city. It has served as a much-needed community and regional asset," said Theresa Kail-Smith, who represents the park's neighborhood and serves as president on Pittsburgh City Council. "We're grateful that the Explorers Club of Pittsburgh, the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy, and their volunteers take the time every year to clean and care for one of our great green spaces for everyone to enjoy, and I'm pleased to support their efforts."

“The Explorers Club of Pittsburgh is ecstatic to be able to host this event again,” said Jennifer Flaggs of the Explorers Club of Pittsburgh. “We are indebted to all of our partners, including Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy, council president Kail-Smith, Allegheny Mountain Rescue Group, and all of the local businesses who support this cause.”

According to Flaggs, the annual event unites Emerald View Park’s unique cleanup needs with the skillsets of the organizations involved.

“The volunteers look forward to this event every year and their positive impact on the area is substantial and necessary,” said Flaggs. “The area has seen its fair share of debris abandoned on the hillside and there is still a need to maintain the area for residents and visitors alike. We are proud that the Explorers Club of Pittsburgh brings a unique set of skills to make that happen. Seeing the community come together and make such a difference is incredibly rewarding and we hope to keep this event running for years to come.”

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Alana Wenk                                                                
Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy                                
412.527.0020                                                             
awenk@pittsburghparks.org   


About Explorers Club of Pittsburgh:
The Explorers Club of Pittsburgh was organized in 1947 to promote exploratory science and adventure. The club hosts outdoor recreation activities year round for beginner, intermediate, and advanced skill levels. For more information about the ECP, visit www.pittecp.org. 

About Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy:  
Now celebrating its 25th year, the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy was founded in December 1996 by a group of citizens concerned with the deteriorating conditions of Pittsburgh’s historic city parks. A non-profit organization, the Parks Conservancy works closely with the City of Pittsburgh under an official public-private partnership agreement to restore and improve the city’s park system to its full potential. To date, the Parks Conservancy has raised more than $130 million and completed 22 major park improvement projects. The Parks Conservancy works with thousands of volunteers, hosts hundreds of events, and provides programming for more than 7,500 children annually.