The Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy, in partnership with the City of Pittsburgh, is excited to announce the August 1st, 2017 Advertisement to Bid for the Allegheny Commons Phase III and Fountain Construction Project.
This project will reconstruct the historic fountain at the intersection of North and Cedar Avenues, and will restore walkways, trees, lighting and other amenities. It is based on the 2002 Master Plan for Allegheny Commons. The Conservancy and its partners, the Northside Leadership Conference and Allegheny Commons Initiative, express many thanks to all of the project supporters and stakeholders who have worked together to achieve this new landmark feature. Most especially, we appreciate the City of Pittsburgh for its substantial commitment to participate in this project.
Here is a link to the Invitation to Bid which is “live” August 1st – feel free to share
https://www.pittsburghparks.org/blog/commons-bid
Bid packages will be available on August 15th with bid opening on September 12th. We hope to start construction by October 10th with a completion date of April 30th (weather permitting). Please email Jenn Dailey, Director of Marketing & Communications, with any questions, jdailey@pittsburghparks.org.
Erin Tobin
Community Outreach Coordinator
We at the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy are excited to work alongside our partners at the City of Pittsburgh, Allegheny Commons Initiative, Northside Leadership Conference and the greater community to restore Allegheny Commons Park. Please join your fellow park users on August 30th for our first community workshop to develop the action plan we need for implementing the master plan. The professional team is led by LaQuatra Bonci Associates, and includes eDesign Dynamics, Cleo Consulting, and Fourth Economy.
At this first of three community-wide meetings, we’ll review the 2002 Allegheny Commons Master Plan and kick off the action planning process. This effort will be completed by the end of 2017, and will produce strategies and cost estimates for implementing the 2002 Master Plan.
We encourage community members to come prepared to provide input at the meeting. There will be a brief introduction followed by a series of work stations on a range of topics we will be tackling in this process. Thank you to the National Aviary for hosting us that evening.
We ask that you register online here. Please do not hesitate to reach out to me with any questions. Thank you!
Erin Tobin
Community Outreach Coordinator
Hello, Northsiders!
I am looking for some help this weekend at this month’s OpenStreets! I will be at a table over near the Iron Deer statue in Allegheny Commons with a table full of fun stuff and a device I use to make BIG BUBBLES =)
I will be there from 8am setting up till 1pm. Please let me know if you are willing to join me as a volunteer for even just half an hour. Any help is appreciated =)
Thank you all! Hope to see you Sunday!
Erin Tobin
Community Outreach Coordinator
Calvary United Methodist Church, 971 Beech Ave
Tuesday, May 13th at 7:30 pm
- Visitors
- Councilwoman Harris’s Office
- Zone One Police
- Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy
- New Neighbors & Guests
- Minutes
- Treasurer’s Report
- Finance Committee Progress Report
- Membership
- Bocce on Wednesday
- June Mixer
- Fourth of July Street Picnic
- AWCC 55th Anniversary Celebration (October 7, 2017)
- Ways and Means
- Wine Tour Recap
- Update on Five Year Plan with Calvary
- Alleys, Axles & Ales (September 23rd
- Christmas Candlelight House Tour (December 8th and 9th
- Friends of Allegheny West
- Property
- Housing and Planning
- Trucks Through the Neighborhood
- Stadium Events: Parking and Traffic
- MCC: Blocks bounded by Western, Allegheny, Ridge, Bridge
- Western Avenue Revitalization
- Light of Life: Ridge Avenue Project
- Film Guidelines
- Expansion of Historic District (LRC Report)
- Historic District Enforcement Issues (old cases)
- Medical Marijuana Dispensary
- Comprehensive Guidelines for New Construction on Vacant Sites
- Sale of 827 Western Avenue
- Northside Leadership Conference
- Other Business (Old & New)
How would you use $50,000 to improve your favorite park places? Right now, you can submit Capital Project ideas to the City of Pittsburgh, which could mean extra funding for the park places you love.
Learn More and Submit Your Ideas
Today, representatives from the Allegheny Commons Initiative, Councilwoman Darlene Harris, DPW Director Mike Gable, DPW Superintendent Tom Paulin and myself met in the park to discuss concerns related to maintenance in the park. It was a very productive meeting with action items for all parties.
Trucks Driving on Lawns
The crew has been told not to drive the trucks off of the paths in the park. If you see this happening, please take a picture of the truck and/or write down the PW# of the truck. Then submit a 311 request with the truck PW # included. This way DPW can track the truck/driver and address the issue directly with that DPW personnel.
Grass Cutting and Trees
PPC will be coordinating volunteer events to remove the weeds around trees so that we can mulch the trees. This will allow a protective space around the trees from the lawn mowers when the grass is being cut. DPW will be providing mulch. I will be recruiting volunteers for this. Please reach out to me if you are interested.
Trash
There are many smaller scale picnics/gatherings that take place in the park that create overflowing amounts of trash. DPW will be working more closely with the Park Rangers to help enforce the permitting requirements for the park (permits must be obtained for groups of 25 or more) and litter pick up following these gatherings and sport practices. Please continue to 311 when you see overflowing receptacles.
Lake Elizabeth
I am coordinating a volunteer event in the park scheduled for next Thursday May 11thwith a group of 30 to clean out the debris in the lake. The park foreman drained the lake for us this past weekend to allow for some time for the debris to dry up so it is easier to remove from the bottom of the lake. Following our event, DPW will power was the lake interior and refill for the season. Please contact me directly if you are interested in joining us that day. I will be in the park all day doing a variety of projects.
Playground Equipment
DPW is looking at removing the playground equipment near King school because it is deteriorating and could be a safety hazard for children. DPW is working with Councilwoman Harris/ACI/PPC and the school to relocate the playground elsewhere. The playground in West Park near the Iron Deer statue will have repairs done to it this year as well as be cleaned through a volunteer event in cooperation with DPW.
Lights
Please continue to submit 311 requests as you see the lights are out in the park. DPW is aware of the issue and working with the budget office, Councilwoman Harris/Councilman Lavelle to identify funding sources to fix the lighting issues in the park.
Dog Park
DPW will be aerating and re-seeding the dog park at some point this spring. We will spread the word via the Allegheny Commons and Allegheny Commons Dog Park Facebook pages.
Flag Pole
Forestry pruned the trees near the Maine Memorial. DPW is working to install a light near the flag pole and will then put flags up on the poles.
In an effort to support the work of the DPW, I will be organizing volunteer events to supplement their work in the park. Allegheny Commons is considered the front or back yard to many Northsiders. Please consider volunteering with the Parks Conservancy to help support the resources of DPW. Stay tuned for upcoming opportunities.
Please do not hesitate to reach out to me if you have any questions or concerns. Thank you all for your time and support of the park!
Erin Tobin
Community Outreach Coordinator
Join us this weekend for the annual Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy Earth Day 2017 at Frick Environmental Center, a free two-day community celebration. Don’t miss naturalist-led hikes, tree climbing demonstrations, a solar-powered concert, local food vendors, chickens, goats and bees – and much more.
See the Full Two Day Schedule
Please join the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy and our partners in the Pittsburgh Playful Collaborative for the Ultimate Play Day taking place this year in Allegheny Commons on Sunday, April 30th from 1:00-4:00 pm.
Join us during Ultimate Play Day to celebrate play for people of all ages. This free event is an opportunity for people from throughout the Pittsburgh region to play together and raise awareness of the benefits of play for everyone- from birth to 199 years. The event will take place in East Commons between E Ohio Street and Cedar Avenue.
Erin Tobin
Community Outreach Coordinator
Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy
Action Alert: Support Pittsburgh’s Oldest Park, Contender for Important State Funding
Dedicated in 1930, Allegheny Commons Park is Pittsburgh’s oldest park. Steeped in history, this beloved Northside park is frequented by local residents as well as visitors to the National Aviary and Children’s Museum.
Right now, you can help Pittsburgh’s oldest park by speaking up for important state funding. Click the button below to find out how.
We’ve requested support for the historically significant Allegheny Commons Park through a competitive state grant. Your could help make the difference in bringing these important funds to Pittsburgh, since community support makes a big impact in this grant process.
Have two minutes? Take action to show your support.
Lend Your Support Now
Please pass this message along to others, and thank you for being a friend of the parks.
Heather Sage
Director of Community Projects
