Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy debuts summer guide to keep families exploring nature all season long
Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy debuts summer guide to keep families exploring nature all season long
From outdoor concert series to galactic family days, the nonprofit proves there is no reason to leave the city this summer.
PITTSBURGH - May 29, 2025 - The Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy today announced an expanded lineup of free and low-cost programs across the city's parks this summer. From outdoor concerts and pop-up beer gardens to a reimagined Family Day series, there are dozens of fun-filled events designed to activate Pittsburgh's green spaces throughout the season.
The popular Kids Day series returns this year, and this time it's bigger and bolder than ever! Reimagined as Family Days, presented by Peoples Gas, the series is expanding into Riverview and Allegheny Commons Parks, in addition to its original location in Schenley Plaza. Each event will have a theme this year, like the Hello Neighbor Northside Family Day this June in Allegheny Commons Park, featuring performances by Pittsburgh Festival Opera and Azure Concerts Pittsburgh, and the Galactic Family Adventure Day in Riverview Park this July, presenting tours of the Allegheny Observatory, an evening screening of Woman in Motion, and with special guest, the Moonshot Museum. Other activities throughout the season include meet-and-greets with surprise friends, as well as entertainment options such as balloon artists, carousel rides, and more. The series runs through October.
"We're excited to expand our programming opportunities this year. The evolution of Kids Days to Family Days will make the events more inclusive," said Matthew Hileman, Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy's Director of Operations and Visitor Engagement. "We want people of all ages to discover the parks and learn something new while having a great day out. We're especially excited to expand into other parks so that everyone can experience something fun in their own backyard."
For music aficionados, there are plenty of opportunities to enjoy live performances in the parks this summer, including the Calliope House Summer Series in Schenley Plaza, featuring folk artists Penna Players in June and The Grass Gals in August. Additionally, the WYEP Summer Music Festival and the Simple Gifts Folk Concert will take over the Plaza lawn during the same month.
For art and culture lovers, the Frick Environmental Center (FEC) remains a hub of inspiration with the opening of a unique art exhibit, Through Your Eyes, featuring the work of Virginia Christman. Local photographer and nature lover Christman conducted walks through Frick Park with 14 Parks Conservancy staff members, which inspired a series of unique assemblages created using natural objects found during the treks. The opening reception in June will feature photographs of these unique medleys for sale, with a portion of the proceeds benefiting the Parks Conservancy.
"Virginia's work invites us to pause and take notice of the wide variety of lifeforms that decorate the forest floor," said James A. Brown, Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy's Director of Education and the Frick Environmental Center. "Even for those who regularly visit the park, it's easy to overlook the many plants and natural objects found within the meadows and woodlands of Frick Park. Her work puts it all into focus, and the result is breathtaking."
Also taking place at the FEC is a film screening of the documentary "Observer," followed by an outdoor exploration of Frick Park, a family-friendly story-hike featuring "Sparrow Loves Birds." The event also includes a Sustainability + Building Tour Series featuring the FEC's pollinator-friendly garden. Community members can also celebrate Juneteenth with the nonprofit in the From Slavery to Freedom Garden, featuring a Black Power Storytime reading with BOOM Concepts.
Beer lovers can check out the Parks on Tap pop-up beer garden series in partnership with Eleventh-Hour Brewing at the Schenley Park Visitor Center. The main series runs from May through September outside with a rotating lineup of food trucks and finishes in October with a special appearance in Allegheny Commons Park.
Located in the heart of Downtown, Mellon Square will serve as an exciting backdrop to summer fun this season. In partnership with the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership, the two organizations will offer pop-up mini golf, performances by percussionists and drummers from the African diaspora, Rumbón de la Calle, and outdoor paint-and-sip parties.
The nonprofit's popular Forest Bathing series continues throughout the summer months, thanks to partnerships with Citrone 33, Staunton Farm Foundation, and the 10.27 Healing Partnership. The series will take place in Frick Park, Allegheny Commons Park, and Riverview Park. Additional health and wellness offerings include Yoga in the Plaza with 3 Rivers Outdoor Co. every Thursday evening through October at Schenley Plaza Bosque and on Saturday mornings in Allegheny Commons Park, presented in collaboration with the Counseling and Wellness Center of Pittsburgh.
Finally, ecologically curious, nature-based programming is in abundance. From Birding Pittsburgh's Parks to Trail Tours in Hays Woods featuring a mushroom hunt with naturalist educator and mycologist Stephen Bucklin, there are plenty of ways to explore the great outdoors.
To view the entire programming calendar and register for select events, visit PittsburghParks.org/events.
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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 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 $150 million and completed 23 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.
Contact
Bethany Wells
Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy
412.956.0788
bwells@pittsburghparks.org