News Around the Neighborhood
“Outdoors for All” Event to be Held at Allegheny Commons Park
The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR), in partnership with the City of Pittsburgh, Outdoor Inclusion Coalition and the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy, will host the 3rd annual Outdoors for All event at Allegheny Commons Park on August 15 from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm. This free event marks the final celebration in the statewide Outdoors for All summer series and brings together more than 25 conservation, community, and environmental partners.
Outdoors for All Day is recognized each year on the third Saturday in July, which is Outdoors for All Month, to highlight Pennsylvania’s commitment to welcoming, inclusive access to nature for all residents and visitors. What began as a single celebration in Pittsburgh in 2024 has expanded into four events across the Commonwealth that bring together recreation, conservation, and environmental organizations.
Outdoors for All also reflects DCNR’s Broader Mosaic initiative to strengthen community connections and ensure all people are represented and welcomed on Pennsylvania’s public lands. This year’s theme highlights the importance of expanding water access and creating more opportunities for water recreation.
“Outdoors for All is about connecting DCNR to the energy and community spirit that happens when people and organizations come together to celebrate the simple joy of being outside,” said DCNR Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn. “Events like this show what access to the outdoors can mean for people, from the sense of belonging it creates to the mental and physical benefits that come from connecting with nature. This is what Outdoors for All is all about, and it is why DCNR is committed to making sure every Pennsylvanian can enjoy the outdoors in a welcoming and meaningful way.”
Pittsburgh is known for the many ways people connect with the outdoors and each other through public lands and waterways. A wide range of organizations that support community vitality and wellbeing through conservation and recreation will be on full display at the Outdoors for All celebration, including, but not limited to, Venture Outdoors, SurfSUP and the Watersmith Guild, the National Aviary, Allegheny Land Trust, Riverlife, and more. Activities include kayaking, facepainting, mountain biking, birding walks, and learning opportunities from various organizations.
“Pittsburgh is full of recreation opportunities for families, residents, and visitors to connect with the outdoors between our three rivers, hundreds of acres of parks and a network of trails and green spaces,” said Pittsburgh Mayor Corey O’Connor. “We are looking forward to a fun day near Lake Elizabeth in Allegheny Commons and celebrating our shared vision with our partners at DCNR, Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy, and community organizations to make parks and outdoor recreation more welcoming and accessible for all.”
“Outdoors for All is a wonderful example of what’s possible when organizations and communities come together to create and activate welcoming outdoor spaces for everyone,” said Catherine Qureshi, President and CEO, Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy. “That spirit of partnership and shared commitment to connecting people with parks and nature is part of what makes Pittsburgh such a special place.”
This Outdoors for All event also marks the end of the inaugural summer season of First Try Collective, a free event series helping Greater Pittsburgh residents learn the basics of outdoor activities and enjoy the region’s parks, trails, green spaces, and outdoor amenities. Participants who attend three First Try Collective events should bring their completed First Try Punch Pass to receive free ice cream from Millie’s Homemade Ice Cream during the Outdoors for All event at Allegheny Commons.
Millie’s Ice Cream and PGH Crepes food trucks will also be available to purchase to enjoy in the park. Carpooling, biking, or public transportation is encouraged as parking is limited to street parking.
DCNR has invested more than $51 million in Allegheny County since 2016 to ensure waterways and public lands stay open and accessible for all residents across the region. Outdoors for All celebrates access and inclusion and reminds us there is still work to be done.
Outdoors for All Day is a rain or shine event. Advertised activities are subject to change based on weather and safety conditions.
DCNR Media Contact:
Wesley Robinson
werobinson@pa.gov
717.877.6315
President’s Message
Greetings, Neighbors –
I say this every August, but I truly cannot believe it is already August. Summer has flown by! As we begin looking ahead to fall, I am pleased to share that our General Membership Meetings will resume next month in September. Because we still have summer recess for one more month, I will keep my updates brief:
Executive Updates – There were no executive actions resulting from our most recent Executive Committee meeting.
Regarding the WANID (Western Avenue Neighborhood Improvement District) project, Mayor O’Connor’s Chief of Staff Dan Gilman, who walked Western Avenue with AWCC and WANID representatives last month, received a quote from Duquesne Light to bury the utility lines along Western Avenue. The estimated cost came in at approximately $17 million. Given that estimate, the city is exploring other options and will provide further updates in the coming months.
Renovations at the AWCC building at 806 Western Avenue are currently underway, and we remain on track to complete the project by the end of the year. Thank you to Aaron, our property chair!
Our annual Labor Day Block Party is coming up on Monday, September 7. As our final block party of the year, you will not want to miss it! More details can be found within this gazette.
Proposed Bylaws Update – To ensure everyone has adequate time to review the proposed revisions before our September membership meeting, I have posted the draft bylaws on our website at www.alleghenywest.org under the Constitution and Bylaws tab.
At a high level, the proposed changes include:
- Clarifications and updates to:
Article II (Area)
Article III (Purpose) - Addition of a formal Policy Against Discrimination Article
- Removal of provisions related to Associate Membership from Article IV (Membership) – this type of
membership previously allowed individuals, organizations, businesses, etc, residing or operating
outside Allegheny West boundaries to become members, subject to Executive Committee approval,
with full voting rights. - Reorganization and streamlining of several articles, including the consolidation of the Officers and Duties of Officers sections.
I encourage everyone to review the proposed bylaws before our September meeting so that we can have a productive discussion and consider any questions or feedback from the membership.
That is all for now. See you on September 8th!
Warmly,
Elizabeth Barbush
Allegheny West Civic Council
Allegheny West Civic Council Meetings
Although AWCC General Membership meetings won’t convene in August, there are committee meetings occurring before our next General Meeting on Tuesday September 8th.
Here are dates and details:
● Housing & Planning Committee Meeting
806 Western Avenue (also on Zoom) Tuesday, September 1st at 7:30pm
Zoom info: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87074045427?pwd=MUVvbUpEOXlMZDhBTEZ0V0JaT1MxUT09
Meeting ID: 870 7404 5427, Passcode: 045565
● AWCC Executive Committee Meeting
806 Western Avenue, Tuesday, August 25th at 7:00 pm
Events and Announcements
Join your friends and neighbors on North Lincoln Avenue for the final AWCC Block Party of the summer! We’ll gather on the 800 block on Labor Day, Monday, September 7, from 4ish to 7ish. Please bring a side dish or dessert to share; AWCC will provide burgers, dogs, and drinks. We’ll share more information via our neighborhood listserv. (Email communications@alleghenywest.org for instructions on signing up for the listserv.)
The Northside Farmers Market is open every Friday from 3 to 7 p.m. through November at Allegheny Commons Park, East Ohio Street and Cedar Avenue. On the last Friday of each month, the market hosts a community Happy Hour with live music and kid-friendly activities.
Trash and recycling will be picked up Monday, August 10 and Monday, August 24. Trash only on Monday, August 17. For the full schedule, visit https://pgh.st/.
Street Sweeping is in full swing! The neighborhood gets swept the second week of the month. Check your street signs for more information.
7th Annual Cornhole Tournament
Saturday, September 26
at Clever Park Rotary Shelter
12:00 pm – Check-in
1:00 pm – Bags Fly
2-Person Team, Non-Player & Children’s Tickets Available
Tickets include: beer, water, soda and food courtesy of JD’s Joint
July 4th Picnic Reminder
INDEPENDENCE DAY PICNIC
Saturday, July 4th, 4–7:30 pm
900 Block of Beech Avenue
This year’s July 4th is extra special as we celebrate 250 years of American independence. Join your neighbors as we come together to enjoy this milestone with a relaxed community picnic full of great food, fun and festive spirit.
We’ll have live music, and will be grilling classic favorites, with plenty of games and activities for kids and adults to enjoy.
Bring:
- A favorite dish to share
- A lawn chair for relaxing
- Your best attire to show off your patriotic style!
Special Events include:
- Annual Rib Cook-Off
- Kids & Pets Patriotic Costume Parade
- Apple Pie Contest
We’re still looking for a few more bakers to enter the apple pie contest! If you’d like to participate, please email communications@alleghenywest.org.
Please remember to label any serving dishes and utensils that you’d like returned to you.
We look forward to celebrating together!
Reggae at Riverview 2026
Here’s the music schedule:
- 12:00 – 1:00 – DJs: Steel City Scorchers
- 1:00 – 2:00 – Band: Lopaka Roots
- 2:00 – 3:00 – DJs: Pete Funk
- 3:00 – 4:00 – Band: Flex Crew
- 4:00 – 5:00 – DJs: Green Rose Sound and Force 15
- 5:00 – 6:00 – Band: Truth and Rites
- 6:00 – 7:00 – DJs: Strika 1 Sound
- 7:00 – 8:30 – Band: The Meditations (Headliner)
Follow Reggae at Riverview on Facebook or Instagram to learn more.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!
Behind every great event are hard working volunteers! We are again looking for support day of to help with setup/breakdown , traffic control, and various tasks throughout the day. If you’d like to pitch in for a shift, sign up here: https://forms.office.com/r/cqsQ4CmxqG
Monthly Farmers Market Happy Hour at Allegheny Commons East
🎶 Live Music
🎨 Kid-friendly activities
🥬 Amazing local vendors
✨ Great company!
When: This Friday, June 26 | 3:00 PM – 7:00 pm
Where: Allegheny Commons East
AWCC Membership Meeting Agenda – June 9, 2026
The next Allegheny West Civic Council General Membership Meeting will be held Tuesday, June 12 at 7:30 pm at Calvary United Methodist Church, 971 Beech Avenue – also accessible on Zoom.
7:30
Call to Order
7:35
Greetings and Introductions of New Neighbors
7:40
Reports of Elected Officials, City Departments, Organizations
-
City of Pittsburgh Zone 1 Police (Officer Defeo)
-
City of Pittsburgh Mayor Corey O’Connor’s Office (CJ Thorpe)
-
State Representative Aerion Abney’s Office (Tom Harnett)
-
Department of City Planning (Nazia Tarannum)
-
Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy (Erin Tobin)
-
Councilman Bobby Wilson’s Office (Bobby Wilson/Jordyn Gilliard/Julianne Hluska)
8:10
Guests and Presentations: Brandon Wilson – Urban Redevelopment Authority
8:35
Officer and Committee Reports
-
Minutes of Last Meeting (Tim Zinn, Secretary)
-
Treasurer’s Report (Chris Sweeney, Treasurer)
-
Communications Committee (Sarah Cook)
-
Friends of Allegheny West (Trish Burton)
-
Housing and Planning Committee (Tom Cihil)
-
Membership Committee (Yulia Bhonsle)
-
Property Committee (Aaron Bryan)
-
Ways and Means Committee (Jo Beatty)
-
Executive Committee Actions (Elizabeth Barbush)
8:50
Unfinished Business
8:55
New Business
9:05
Adjourn
Additions to the agenda can be made by emailing president@allegheywest.org.
President’s Message
Let the Summer Fun Begin!
It’s finally June, and with it comes the official kickoff to one of the most fun seasons in our neighborhood! It’s the most wonderful time of the year! That’s right, it’s wine tour season! After months of anticipation (we’ve been counting down since Christmas!), a Tour & Tasting in Old Allegheny is finally happening this month on June 26 & 27. Hopefully this gorgeous weather we’ve been having stays around for a little while!
If you haven’t signed up to volunteer but would still like to be part of the fun, there’s still time! Don’t hesitate to reach out to Jo if you’re interested; read her note on page 3 for more information.. I will be helping out at Holmes Hall and would love some additional company!
Another sure sign that summer is back is the return of the Northside Farmers Market! The market is open every Friday from 3:00-7:00 pm at Allegheny Commons Park, located at the corner of East Ohio Street and Cedar Avenue. The market runs from May 29 through November 20, 2026, with a Happy Hour on the final Friday of each month. Free street parking is available along Cedar Avenue and Union Place during market hours. You can find a full list of vendors online here:
https://www.pittsburghpa.gov/Recreation-Events/Events/Farmers-Markets/Northside-Farmers-Market
Looking ahead, it’s again time for our Annual 4th of July Summer Block Party, happening on Saturday, July 4 at 4:00 pm on the 900 block of Beech Avenue. This is a beloved neighborhood tradition and one of my favorite ways to celebrate summer in Allegheny West. More details are available on page 3. As always, bring a lawn chair, a side dish, and get ready to enjoy some amazing fireworks afterwards!
Counseling and Wellness of Pittsburgh, in partnership with the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy, is once again offering free Yoga in the Park every Saturday morning at 10:00 AM through August 26. Classes take place in the Commons Grove along Brighton Road and Ridge Avenue, across from Gus & Yia Yia’s stand. All are welcome! More information can be found here: https://counselingwellnesspgh.com/yoga-in-the-park
As a reminder, we will observe our annual summer recess during the months of July and August, which means there will be no General Membership Meetings during those months. I know you will miss them! Meetings, will resume in September when the weather begins to cool and we gather again for the fall season.
Cheers to a fantastic start to summer!
Elizabeth Barbush
President, Allegheny West Civic Counci