About the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy Restoring Pittsburgh’s Parks System to Excellence

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MISSION, VISION & IMPACT

The Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy was founded in December 1996 by a passionate group of neighbors who cared deeply about Pittsburgh’s historic city parks and wanted to see them thrive. As a nonprofit organization, we’re dedicated to restoring and enhancing our parks, working hand in hand with the City of Pittsburgh through a strong public-private partnership.

At the Parks Conservancy, we believe Pittsburgh deserves a great park system that helps our communities thrive.

Our vision: A vibrant park system that is welcoming, accessible, and enjoyed by all.
Our mission: We improve quality of life by enhancing and stewarding Pittsburgh’s parks in partnership with the community.

To date, the Parks Conservancy has raised $150 million and completed 24 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.

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STRATEGIC PLAN

Over the past 30 years, funder priorities, the City’s capacity, and community needs have evolved, as has the Parks Conservancy's role. This strategic planning process was designed to prepare the Parks Conservancy for the next five years of organizational achievements. Through facilitated exercises and conversations, the Parks Conservancy refined its foundational statements, developed a framework to continue nimble decision-making, and updated organizational priorities. The process included input and decision-making from numerous the Parks Conservancy stakeholders, including staff and a community and board steering committee. The the Parks Conservancy's Strategic Plan builds on almost 30 years of organizational accomplishments. It offers a fresh perspective and renewed energy in building a vibrant, inclusive park system that everyone can enjoy and access.

"Our new strategic plan is a roadmap for the next five years, but its vision extends far beyond. It builds on decades of experience while charting a course to ensure our parks continue to thrive for generations to come. This plan emphasizes the values that define us: accessibility, environmental stewardship, and community collaboration. It reaffirms our commitment to a park system that is welcoming to all and reflects Pittsburgh’s vibrancy and resilience." - Catherine Qureshi, President & CEO

Read the Strategic Plan

How We're Funded

The Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy is funded through various sources to support our mission and impact. Learn more about the impact of charitable giving to Pittsburgh's parks.

DEIA Commitment

The Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy strives to create an organizational culture of inclusion and acceptance that reflects our core values and the voices of our diverse team.

Learn More

Partners in the Parks

The City of Pittsburgh and its Departments of Public Works and Parks & Recreation - known as CitiParks - cultivate 3,800 acres of parkland in 170 parks. Together, they provide citywide events and festivals, public pools, recreation and senior centers, and innovate programming for children and seniors.

Visit CitiParks

PLAN A VISIT DISCOVER THE PARKS IN YOUR AREA

Pittsburgh’s parks have something for everyone. Miles of hiking and biking trails, acres of green space, restaurants, and playgrounds of all shapes and sizes. Concerts, dancing, movies, a golf course, Kids Days, adult programming. Even lions and tigers and bears (oh, my!) on a carousel! Well, a tiger and plenty of horses on the carousel. No matter your interest, you’ll find it in Pittsburgh's parks.

Plan Your Visit