No ball playing in Plaza

Schenley Plaza looks to be the perfect spot for an afternoon Frisbee toss or a pick-up game… Schenley Plaza looks to be the perfect spot for an afternoon Frisbee toss or a pick-up game of soccer. But engaging in such activities is prohibited and will earn the offender a verbal warning.

Schenley Plaza, managed by the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy, had its grand opening on July 8, 2006, and has since served as a green retreat in the middle of busy Oakland.

According to Schenley Plaza’s Web site, visitors are prohibited from playing “organized sports on the lawn.”

“The site being fairly new, we’re concerned that one or two people playing Frisbee or any other sport may be a disruption to those who want to relax,” Philip Gruszka, director of Parks Management and Maintenance Policies for the Conservancy, said. “There’s also a safety issue. If the Frisbee goes awry, it could hurt a visitor.”

Next comes the possibility of ruining the meticulously maintained lawn.

“The grass is another issue, but public safety is more important,” Gruszka said.

Balls, however, are not entirely forbidden on the lawn. According to site supervisor Ken Slaughter, young children are allowed to play because “they won’t throw the ball wildly. And we want to keep little kids around, because this park is very family oriented.”

A family-oriented park is but one of the goals that those instrumental to the development and preservation of Schenley Plaza hope to accomplish.

“We want it to remain a nice, vibrant, green space for not only the students to enjoy, but residents of Oakland and people who come from other parts of the city,” Gruszka said. “We want it to be clean, aesthetically pleasing,omit*AK and safe.”

The park has worked towards this vision with features like a carousel, food kiosks, live music, a large tent, cafe tables and chairs, restrooms, wireless Internet access, gardens, benches and grass that students find ideal for napping and de-stressing after a long day of classes.

Security guards are not allowed to issue citations for breaking the rules, only verbal warnings.

“At first, we had a lot of people playing ball. But now it happens very seldom. I guess the word got out,” Slaughter said.

Those who wish to play a game of football at 3 a.m. had better beware – Schenley Plaza is also maintained by a 24-hour security force.