Tom Ratchkauskas Photography: Pittsburgh Greenspaces - Philanthropy and Renewal

The grass is always greener on the other side, an adage Pittsburgh isn't familiar with as the grass is always greener right in its citizens backyards. Pittsburgh's historical wealthy families have a habit of gifting the city with civic amenities, with the two grandest examples being Schenley Park and Frick Park.

Schenley Park, with its beginnings originating from a donation of some of Pittsburgh's most desired land, the Mt. Airy Tract by Mary Schenley. The land was part of her inheritance from her grandfateher, General Ohara and after a tumultuous story spanning from her scandalous marriage in England and a photo finish race by developers the land fell into the hands of Pittsburgh. Edward Bigelow, Pittsburgh's director of Public Works sent an East Liberty lawyer to England to beat real estate developers by two days and convinced Mary to sell the city 300 acres for park development under the condition that the park be named after her and never be sold. Mary gave the city the option of an additional 120 acres which were added to the park later on. The park in its early days had a grand entrance with Forbes Field as its neighbor. The Schenley oval in its infancy was a horse racing track, the Frick Fine Arts Center stands on the location of a former casino and the park once housed a band shell. Today some of the parks historic sites like Phipps Conservatory, bridges and fountains exist alongside tennis courts, soccer fields, an ice rink, running track, gardens, frisbee golf course, community pool, hiking trails and one of the best views of the city around. Pittsburgh's major universities and civic amenities surround the park in Pittsburgh's Oakland neighborhood making it easily accessible. Hailed as Pittsburgh's most civic park, Schenley Park plays host to events such as the Vintage Grand Prix and Race for the Cure.

Frick Park, 380 acres bequeathed to the city by Henry Clay Frick, Andrew Carnegie's second in command situated south of his Point Breeze mansion in 1919, Clayton, officially opened in 1927. Now Pittsburgh's largest park at 561 acres focuses more on the enjoyment of nature, like Schenley Parks similar sized alter ego. Straddling the borders of Point Breeze, Squirrel Hill and Edgewood the park boasts world class mountain biking, a nature reserve, epic sledding hills and the now somewhat famous Blue Slide Park. Easily one of the best urban trail systems in the northeast if not the country, the park recently added trails and recreational land along Nine Mile Run along Commercial Street. Nine Mile Run, an unhealthy urban stream had been a point of scrutiny for years due to combined sewer overflow before becoming the largest urban stream restoration project in the United States. A symbol of Pittsburgh's devotion to post industrial renewal, the parkland surrounding Nine Mile Run is now enjoyed by many and provides recreation and natural enjoyment for the surrounding growing neighborhoods. Another Frick Park revival project worth mentioning is the construction of a new environmental center at the 151 acre nature reserve along between Beechwood Blvd and Forbes Ave after the original building caught fire in 2001.

The following pictures exemplify the above mentioned parks during the Autumn season. Taken just after the peak of the seasons color changing, these pictures show why Pittsburgh has become renowned for its parks and trails that are viable almost all year round. Former industrial and desolate parts of the city have been revitalized throughout history and purposefully made accessible for the common good of the population. Shown in these pictures if part of the Panther Hollow trail system, a watershed similar to that of Nine Mile Run, ending up in a lake once equipped with a boathouse and used as an ice rink, now being revitalized for civic enjoyment.

Please visit the following links for more about Schenley Park, Frick Park, Panther Hollow Lake in the past and the Frick Environmental Center:

Schenley Park - Pittsburgh Parks

Frick Park - Pittsburgh Parks

Nine Mile Run Watershed Association

Schenley Park - what used to be

Panther Hollow Lake - what used to be

Frick Environmental Center - for those who remember the old wooden building

Schenley Park - Briddle Trail

Blvd of the Allies Bridge - Panther Hollow connection

Street Art - Schenley Park

Schenley Oval (1-6) & Flagstaff Hill

(Flagstaff Hill overlooks the University of Pittsburgh and Oakland directly across from Phipps Conservatory and just outside Panther Hollow) (The Schenley Oval is the parks civic nucleus with an amazing view of the city)