Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy Unveils New Organizational Plan, Marks Transformative Milestones with $150 Million Raised and 30th Anniversary on the Horizon
New Strategic Plan Charts a Bold Vision for Accessibility, Sustainability, and Community Collaboration in Pittsburgh's Parks.
PITTSBURGH – MARCH 31, 2025 – The Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy is celebrating transformative milestones that underscore its continuing impact on the city's park system: surpassing $150 million in funds raised, unveiling a bold new five-year strategic plan, and preparing for its 30th anniversary in 2026.
Since its founding in 1996, the Parks Conservancy has worked to revitalize Pittsburgh's parks, reversing decades of neglect and restoring these cherished spaces to their full potential in partnership with the City of Pittsburgh. Through over 30 capital improvement projects, the nonprofit has reimagined some of the city's most iconic green spaces, including Schenley Plaza in Oakland, the Frick Environmental Center in Squirrel Hill, and the temporary art installation Aurora: Illuminating the Holiday Magic of Mellon Square, an immersive light experience in Downtown Pittsburgh. Alongside these projects, the Parks Conservancy has enhanced trails, improved park amenities, and supported community programs that engage thousands of residents annually.
"These milestones reflect the incredible generosity of our supporters, the impact of public-private partnership, and the shared belief in the power of parks to transform communities," said Catherine Qureshi, President and CEO of the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy. "As we approach our 30th anniversary, we are more committed than ever to creating vibrant, welcoming parks for all Pittsburghers and continuing to expand access to green spaces that bring people together."
Next, the Parks Conservancy is looking ahead with the release of its new five-year strategic plan. This forward-looking roadmap emphasizes accessibility, sustainability, and community collaboration. Key priorities include:
- Expanding access to clean, safe, and welcoming parks for all Pittsburghers.
- Addressing environmental challenges through resilience and conservation projects.
- Growing opportunities for environmental education and wellness programs in Pittsburgh's parks.
- Strengthening resources and aligning organizational capacity to enhance the Parks Conservancy's overall impact.
"This strategic plan is more than a roadmap—it's an action plan for how we can shape the future of our parks together," added Qureshi. "We remain steadfast in our mission to ensure that every dollar invested creates lasting change in our community."
As the Parks Conservancy approaches its 30th anniversary in 2026, it celebrates a legacy rooted in the vision of its founders, Meg Cheever and a group of community leaders who believed that parks were essential to Pittsburgh's identity. Over the years, the Parks Conservancy has transformed public spaces into thriving hubs for recreation, environmental education, and community engagement.
The 30th-anniversary celebration will feature events and initiatives that honor the organization's history while looking toward the future. Recent projects, such as Aurora and the soon-to-be-completed Outdoor Discovery Space and Sensory Nature Trail in Frick Park—designed with accessibility for individuals with disabilities at its core—highlight the Parks Conservancy's innovative approach to creating inclusive experiences that connect residents and visitors to Pittsburgh's vibrant green spaces.
More announcements about the upcoming anniversary and opportunities to get involved will be shared in the coming months.
For more information about the strategic plan, the Parks Conservancy's legacy, and how to support its mission, visit pittsburghparks.org/mission-values.
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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.
Contact:
Alana Wenk
Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy
412.527.0020 | awenk@pittsburghparks.org