Go green in Pittsburgh’s many parks

Pittsburgh’s parks create a unique experience for those who wish to take in all that Mother… Pittsburgh’s parks create a unique experience for those who wish to take in all that Mother Nature has to offer. Point State, Schenley and Frick parks have not only your run-of-the-mill park activities but a variety of delightfully unusual ones as well. Going green never felt so good.

Downtown’s Point State Park is currently being renovated in honor of Pittsburgh’s 250th anniversary. Construction is scheduled now through May 2009, and the end result will be worth the wait. The improvements will rejuvenate the park and mold it into the “major center of urban life” that everyone in the Pittsburgh community can enjoy.

Nature lovers will be able to see a concert on a brand new stage and lawn. The area is being transformed into a festival ground and will accommodate vendors and concessions. This will improve events like the Three Rivers Arts Festival (coming this June), the Three Rivers Regatta and the Pittsburgh Marathon to Point State Park, as patrons will finally be able to utilize all its new amenities.

Bike trails are an important feature of Point State Park, and with the proposed renovations, cyclists will ride farther than ever before. Through a series of interconnecting bike trails, Pittsburghers will be able to travel all the way to Washington, D.C.

The fountain is an attraction that often draws visitors to the park. This widespread appeal is understandable, as, amazingly, the fountain reaches 150 feet in height. It was dedicated at the completion of Point State Park by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in 1974. For the city’s 250th anniversary this year, the Fountain will be restored, and seating and a touch pool will take the landmark to a new level.

Point State Park is a historical landmark, and its history is explored at the Fort Pitt Museum on its grounds. The museum educates on frontier history, offers seminars and hosts presenters on the French and Indian War. Admission to the museum is $5, and it remains open during construction.

Another historical attraction in Point State Park is the Fort Pitt Blockhouse. The Fort Pitt Blockhouse was built by Colonel Henry Bouquet in 1764. The building is “the oldest standing structure in Pittsburgh.” The blockhouse is open to the public, and admission is free.

Schenley Park has the usual park fare and more. Located on the borders of Oakland and Squirrel Hill, it might be the closest option for Pitt students looking to get in touch with nature – or just find a spot to relax. The park has its share of bike and hiking trails, and it also houses a public pool. A lake adds to the picturesque scenery. The Schenley Park Golf Course is a sporting option for those who do not wish to take advantage of the cycling, swimming, jogging or hiking.

Schenley Park is set apart from Pittsburgh’s other parks with its unique events. There are movies screened every Wednesday and Sunday night on Flagstaff Hill, and the park hosts the Race for the Cure and the Vintage Grand Prix.

The park has an ice-skating rink, which is a popular winter activity for Pittsburgh students. There are theme skates, like last year’s Mascot Skate, Skate with Santa and Valentines on Ice. There are special college ID discounts on certain days, which shave a dollar off the regular admission price. Schenley Park’s varied seasonal and year-round activities are sure to please any visitor or Pittsburgh native.

Like Pittsburgh’s other parks, Frick Park has your garden-variety nature activities. Patrons can hike, bike and swim in the public swimming pool. There are even tennis courts for a change of pace. The park’s Blue Slide Playground is perfect for your visiting younger siblings or for yourself if you feel like a day at the playground for old time’s sake.

One of Frick Park’s most interesting attractions is Frick Park Bowling Green. The public lawn bowling green is the only one in Pennsylvania. The Frick Park Lawn Bowling Green Club offers free lessons to beginning bowlers, if you would like to learn how to play without those inflatable blockers in the gutters. The bowling green has eight lanes and a clubhouse, perfect for any aspiring bowler.

Point State, Frick and Schenley parks make Pittsburgh a unique place to live. Other cities have parks, but few hold within them the wonderful and unusual amenities that our parks offer. Where else but Pittsburgh can one find a bowling green, ice rink, weekly outdoor movie screening and historical museums? These parks might be green, but the activities they offer to Pittsburgh residents are pure gold.