Key Findings
- Involve the public in planning; it was necessary to demonstrate that the loss of parking would not be as dramatic as people initially believed.
- Engage potential funders in the process early on.
Organization description
The Pittsburgh Park Conservancy is a public-private group that has an agreement with the City of Pittsburgh to work together for the restoration of the city’s four regional parks – Frick, Highland, Riverview, and Schenley. It has recently expanded into other city parks as time and resources permit.
Program description
Turning Schenley Plaza into a green oasis was a lengthy process accomplished only by bringing together stakeholders from the entire community. This included Oakland residents, business leaders, university representatives, students and foundations dedicated to improving the quality of life in Oakland. While the neighborhood is well-known for its business district, it also has a heavy residential component of students, families and young professionals who could benefit from a centrally-located community space.
Organizations such as the Oakland Task Force and the Oakland Investment Committee, which have representatives from Oakland institutions, businesses, public agencies, community groups, foundations and city government, were instrumental in getting the plaza project off the ground. Because these collaborative organizations exist, there was already a means to bring together many of the key stakeholders in the project. In addition, in 2002, public meetings began in which community members were asked what they would like to see in terms of the plaza’s design, programming, and access. This gave groups like university students, who have a major interest in the plaza, an opportunity to have their voices heard from the beginning. The project designers and consultants built their plans for the plaza around these suggestions; in this way, Schenley Plaza truly grew from the needs and desires of the community it serves.
Program goals/issues addressed
Schenley Plaza today features a one-acre Emerald Lawn with moveable tables and chairs, a large seasonal tent for hosting performances and event rentals, free wireless Internet access, round-the-clock security, full-time sanitation, garden areas with rotating plantings, four food kiosks operated by local vendors, and a 17-figure Victorian-style carousel. Native groundcover plants, innovative plantings of genetically diverse London plane trees and an underground irrigation system keep the plaza looking beautiful while contributing to the environmental health of the area.
A true community space, the plaza features rotating groups of local musicians every day at lunchtime, a free outdoor film series and children’s-themed programming on weekends. Nearby cultural organizations, such as the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh and the Pittsburgh Irish & Classical Theatre, also sponsor and present free programming at the plaza.
Timeframe (planning/execution):
Construction began on the project in 2005. The Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy was granted a 30-year lease on Schenley Plaza by the City of Pittsburgh, and plans are underway to continue making the space an ideal gathering spot for Pittsburgh residents.
Funding sources/partnerships and type of support provided:
$10 million in funding from statewide and local sources.
Results achieved/impact:
Transforming Schenley Plaza into a green oasis. This restoration was able to impact many within the community including Oakland residents, business leaders, university representatives, students and foundations dedicated to improving the quality of life in Oakland. While the neighborhood is well-known for its business district, it also has a heavy residential component of students, families and young professionals who could benefit from a centrally-located community space. In 2002, public meetings began in which community members were able to give their insight on how the wanted to see the involvement of the plaza’s design, programming, and access. This gave groups like university students, who have a major interest in the plaza, an opportunity to have their voices heard from the beginning. The project designers and consultants built their plans for the plaza around these suggestions; in this way, Schenley Plaza truly grew from the needs and desires of the community it serves.
