Official Announcement of Name Change of Cliffside Park to August Wilson Park

APR 18, 2016 
 
Official name change of Cliffside Park to August Wilson Park to be announced by Rep. Jake Wheatley, Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy, Hill House Association

WHEN: Wednesday, April 20th, 2pm

WHERE: Cliffside Park in Pittsburgh’s Hill District (Click here for directions)

On-site event contact is Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy’s Scott Roller 412-725-0023

In anticipation of the celebration of August Wilson’s upcoming birthdate and to honor the Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award winning playwright, Representative Jake Wheatley (Pennsylvania House district 19), the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy, and Hill House Association’s Terri Baltimore will reveal the official name change of Cliffside Park to August Wilson Park

The park is currently undergoing a major renovation and reimagining by the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy and the City of Pittsburgh. 

Also unveiled at the event will be plans for art installations of quotes by August Wilson and large scale photographic installation of images by Teenie Harris.

Following the official name change reveal, a guided hardhat tour of the under-construction park will be led by AJ Schwartz of Environmental Planning & Design and Parks Conservancy Project Coordinator Jessica Demoise, with remarks from City of Pittsburgh Director of Parks and Recreation Jim Griffin

The tour will include a first-look at park features including how ADA accessibility is being incorporated into the steep landscape, location of a community children-inspired mural by artist Leslie Ansley, and expansion of the spectacular view of the Allegheny River and its bridges.

About Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy:

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 nonprofit 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. Originally including Highland, Schenley, Frick, and Riverview Parks, the scope of the Park Conservancy’s work now includes a focus on community parks including Allegheny Commons, Arsenal Park, Cliffside Park, McKinley Park, and Mellon Park.

To date, the Parks Conservancy has raised over $90 million toward park improvements. The Parks Conservancy works with thousands of volunteers annually, stewards over 1,700 acres, and has completed 14 major park improvement projects.