About ParksRX
1. Find your nearest Pittsburgh park Search for parks by zipcode or narrow your search by using the filters.
- Narrow your park search by using the filters. Select “Yes” or “No” from the dropdown for each amenity. For example, if you want to search for parks with swimming pools, select "Yes" under the “Swimming Pool” box to show all city parks with swimming pools.
- Narrow your park search even further by adding a second filter. For example, if you want to find parks that have both swimming pools and basketball courts, select "Yes" under the “Basketball” box and "Yes" under the "Swimming Pool" box.
- Search for parks by zip code, address or park name via the search box.
- To reset the map just click on
to go back to the original list of parks. - Use the button to show your current location.
- Explore the parks in detail by clicking on the marker points on the map for more information.
to go back to the original list of parks.
button to show your current location.
2. Plan Your Park Trip There's something for everyone in the parks! Here are some ways to play in the parks:
3. Get Outside! Now, go out and play!
If possible, walk, bike, or bus to your park, and bring plenty of water. And most importantly, have fun!
The Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy invites you to take part in our many free, family-friendly programs, such as Kids' Day at Schenley Plaza, play dates and story hikes at the Frick Environmental Center, all-ages volunteer events, and much more.
Parks and green spaces support health and well-being, strengthen communities, and make neighborhoods better places to live, work, and play. On top of all of that, playing in parks is a whole lot of FUN!
Through Pittsburgh Parks Rx, park prescribers (like you!) provide children and families with information, resources, and inspiration to get active outdoors and connect with nature.
To help you make the most of park and outdoor time with young learners, the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy has created the Parks Prescriber Toolkit for Schools and Out-of-School Time. This toolkit is a guide for care providers and educators working in schools, afterschool settings, daycare centers, family support centers, and others who are interested in presenting Parks Rx.
The Parks Prescriber Toolkit emphasizes the benefits of physical activity and parks, and offers kid-friendly activities that can be taken advantage of both in and out of school. We encourage you to adapt and tailor the activities to your specific needs, whether the setting is a nearby park or greenspace, schoolyard, or even indoors.
TESTIMONIALS
Pittsburgh Parks Rx In the Clinic
The Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy and UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh and other area partners have teamed up to develop the Pittsburgh Parks Prescription (Parks Rx), a program designed to support the health and well-being of children through regular park use and contact with nature.
In 2017, a clinical advisory team of physicians and public health professionals worked to finalize the systems through which a doctor can prescribe park use to a patient through Pittsburgh Parks Rx. This was piloted in several primary care practices in 2018. Learn more here.
Special thanks to our current clinical partners:
Allegheny County Health Department WIC Program • Children’s Community Pediatrics-GIL • General Academic Pediatrics-Children’s Primary Care Center • Pediatric Alliance Allegheny (AHN Pediatrics) • Pediatric Alliance Bloomfield (AHN Pediatrics) • UPMC St. Margaret Bloomfield-Garfield Family Health Center
For more information about how you can get involved with Pittsburgh Parks Rx, please contact rx@pittsburghparks.org
Why Parks Rx?
Regular physical activity, regardless of age, is one of the most important lifestyle behaviors for maintaining a healthy weight and promoting quality of life. In addition, numerous studies show that being physically active in the outdoors and in connection with natural spaces provides added physical and mental health benefits. However, children only spend about one percent of their free time outdoors. Park prescription programs have been introduced as a preventative health practice in many states and cities around the country to help address this concern. Pittsburgh Parks Rx aims to provide a local framework for healthcare professionals to encourage kids to get outside, be active, and connect with nature.
For more information about park prescription programs nationally, visit parkrx.org
PITTSBURGH PARKS RX CLINICAL RESOURCES
REFLECTIONS FROM PHYSICIANS PRESCRIBING PARKS
PARKS RX PARTNERS
The Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy and UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh have collaborated with these area partners through Pittsburgh Parks Rx:
Allegheny County Health Department • Allegheny Partners for Out of School Time • Allentown Learning and Engagement Center • Arts Excursions Unlimited • Bloomfield-Garfield Corporation • Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, Hazelwood Branch • Carnegie Mellon University • Children’s Community Pediatrics-GIL • City of Pittsburgh Department of Parks and Recreation • East Allegheny Family Support Center • Family Care Connection—UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh • Focus on Renewal Positive Parenting Program • General Academic Pediatrics-Children’s Primary Care Center • Greater Hazelwood Family Center • Hill District Center for Nurturing Families • Hilltop Family Care Connection and Hilltop Health • Kids Plus Pediatrics • Neighborhood Learning Alliance Arsenal and Woolslair Afterschool Programs • Latino Family Center • Lawrenceville United • Pediatric Alliance Allegheny and Bloomfield (AHN Pediatrics) • Pittsburgh Public Schools • Propel Hazelwood • Providence Family Support Center • Trying Together Homewood Family Support Center • University of Pittsburgh Office of Child Development • UPMC St. Margaret Lawrenceville and Bloomfield-Garfield Family Health Centers