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New citywide initiative brings free family-friendly events to more parks and enhances on-the-ground visitor support.

 

PITTSBURGH – APRIL 3, 2025 – The Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy is launching a new initiative to bring free, family-friendly programming to even more Pittsburghers, thanks to the support of Peoples, an Essential Utilities Company. Replacing the decades-long Kids Day event previously held the second Sunday of the month in Schenley Plaza, the reimagined Family Day series will now expand into multiple parks across the city, ensuring greater access to engaging, educational, and fun activities for all.

 

The Parks Conservancy connects with more than 7,500 youth annually through programs and events, fostering a lifelong appreciation for nature, play, and community. With Family Day, this impact will grow even further, creating more opportunities for children and their caregivers to explore the city's green spaces together.

 

Each Family Day event will feature unique themes inspired by the spirit of the neighborhood, seasonal celebrations, and special holidays, ensuring that every gathering offers something new and exciting. From interactive activities to live entertainment, these events will highlight the character of each park and the communities that surround them.

 

Pittsburghers can mark their calendars for the 2025 Family Day series:

 

• June 29 – Allegheny Commons, Hello Neighbor!
• July 25 – National Carousel Day at Schenley Plaza (free carousel rides & special activities)
• July 27 – Riverview Park, Galactic Family Adventure
• August 10 – Schenley Plaza, Flights of Fancy
• September 28 – Schenley Plaza, Fall Festival
• October 19 - Schenley Plaza, Halloween Spooktacular

 

"We are delighted to introduce Family Day as a celebration of togetherness in our city's beautiful parks," said Catherine Qureshi, President and CEO of the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy. "Expanding these programs means more families, in more neighborhoods, can come together to enjoy vibrant, welcoming community events—at no cost. This is about ensuring that everyone can experience the joy, connection, and sense of belonging that our parks bring."

 

Beyond Family Day, the Parks Conservancy, with support from Peoples, is also expanding its Park Ambassadors program, which plays a critical role in ensuring clean, safe, and welcoming parks for all visitors.

 

Currently, the Parks Conservancy's Operations and Visitor Experience Associates work in select parks during peak seasons, assisting visitors, answering questions, and performing light maintenance. The need for more on-the-ground support has been consistently voiced by residents, particularly in Allegheny Commons, Mellon Square, Highland Park, Frick Park, McKinley Park, and Emerald View Park. This expansion will allow Ambassadors to serve more parks more often.

 

Julia Homa, Community Affairs & Corporate Giving Specialist for Peoples, added, “We are thrilled to be supporting the expansion of the Park Ambassadors program to provide valuable resources to further enhance the park experience for our local communities. Peoples believes in making lives better for our customers and we are proud to be a part of a program that reimagines our park experiences.”

 

With Pittsburgh preparing to host major events like the 2026 NFL Draft, ensuring that our parks remain welcoming, clean, and accessible is more important than ever. From keeping pathways clear at the new Sensory Nature Trail in Frick Park, to ensuring that Schenley Plaza, Allegheny Commons, and other green spaces remain vibrant gathering places, these efforts will help create a more inclusive and enjoyable experience for all—whether you're a longtime resident, a first-time visitor, or someone simply looking for a place to connect with nature and community.

 

To learn more about upcoming park programs, 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 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.