In May 2014, Mellon Square was dedicated as an urban green space. The Square sits on top of a six-story parking garage in the heart of downtown Pittsburgh. Located in the Square, Venetian terrazzo walkways create a verdigris effect and contain a mixture of unique shades. The triangle shapes are a series of M’s that pays homage to Mellon. There are two fountains in the park that help to drown out the noises of the city. The main fountain has nine unique bronze basins, and the cascading fountains end at the lower entrance of the park.
Within the Square, the garden includes trees, shrubs, spring bulbs, and perennials. The perennials are planted in raised beds of varying height, which also provide seating throughout the park. Also found within the park are unique Persian Ironwoods trees, which are planted in raised granite beds.
In the Spring, the tree leaves emerge as reddish-purple color, and in the Fall, the leaves change to shades of red, orange, and yellow. When the tree matures, the bark exfoliates and shows patches of tan, green and white. Evergreens such as Mugo pine, yews, and boxwoods are also located in the park and are points of interest during the winter months. During the Summer months, the Linden trees provide shade from the blistering heat.
YOUR PARKS MATTER
Parks thrive when they have sun, soil, rain…and you. You ensure programs are offered, trees are planted, capital projects are funded, flowers are tended to, research is pursued. There is nothing the parks can’t do with you behind them.