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Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy launches next phase of accessibility improvements at the Frick Environmental Center
Upgrades to the From Slavery to Freedom Garden are underway, enhancing accessibility and visitor experience.
The Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy today announced the launch of the next phase of accessibility and infrastructure improvements to the Frick Environmental Center campus in Frick Park with upgrades to the From Slavery to Freedom Garden.
Work began today with volunteers from Whiting-Turner deconstructing the current aging garden beds in preparation for reconstruction. The rebuilding of the garden beds will begin in early November, with an anticipated completion date of late December 2025.
The improved space will feature:
- Wheelchair-accessible garden beds
- Accessible trellis arches and entrance improvements
- A new shade structure for added comfort
- Expanded planting, including sensory planters and perimeter gardens
- Enhanced interpretation and education through QR code–enabled signage, interactive web pages, and updated garden maps
These enhancements, made possible through generous support from the Garden Club of Allegheny County and the Allegheny Regional Asset District (RAD), reflect the Parks Conservancy’s ongoing commitment to ensuring that the Frick Environmental Center campus is welcoming and accessible to all visitors.
The From Slavery to Freedom Garden honors the strength, skill, and resilience of those who endured the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade and sought freedom in America. Despite arriving in an unfamiliar land, many adapted and learned from their new environment, identifying plants and natural resources vital for food, medicine, and shelter. This knowledge became essential to survival and played a critical role in the long journey from slavery to freedom.
Today, Parks Conservancy educators use the garden to teach visitors of all ages about these plants and their cultural significance—connecting lessons in nature to powerful stories of resilience, ingenuity, and hope.
To learn more about the From Slavery to Freedom Garden, visit pittsburghparks.org/from-slavery-to-freedom-garden.
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PITTSBURGH – October 20, 2025
Alana Wenk
Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy
412.527.0020
awenk@pittsburghparks.org