News

April 17, 2026

City Recreation Centers Will Offer Programming for Children During NFL Draft

Pittsburgh’s Department of Parks and Recreation will host a series of fun, engaging programs for youth and families at City Recreation Centers next week as the city hosts the NFL Draft.

The center will offer extended hours and Draft parties at two of its centers.

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From Wednesday, April 22 through Friday, April 24, all CitiParks recreation centers will open early for youth and remote learning students. Attendees will have access to the internet, supplies, activities, breakfast and lunch during the school day.

The 10 recreation centers will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on those three days, with the exception of Jefferson Recreation Center, which will be open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

On April 23 and 24, youth are invited to join the CitiParks Draft Parties from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Ammon Rec Center and Magee Rec Center. The parties will include food and activities, such as:

Thursday: punt, pass, and kick games; flag football; skills challenges; and raffles
Friday: flag clinic with Pittsburgh Flag Football League

The draft parties will culminate with flag football games on Saturday, April 25 from noon to 3 p.m. at Ammon Rec Center and Magee Rec Center. Registration is not required.

The city’s recreation centers include:

Ammon Recreation Center (2217 Bedford Avenue)
Arlington Recreation Center (2201 Salisbury Street)
Brookline Recreation Center (1400 Oakridge Street)
Jefferson Recreation Center (605 Redknap Street)
Magee Recreation Center (745 Greenfield Avenue)
Moore Park Building (1801 Pioneer Avenue)
Ormsby Recreation Center (79 S. 22nd Street)
Paulson Recreation Center (1201 Paulson Avenue)
Phillips Recreation Center (201 Parkfield Street)
Warrington Recreation Center (329 E. Warrington Avenue)
West Penn Recreation Center (450 30th Street)

News

January 26, 2026

Pittsburgh Operating Warming Centers to Combat Frigid Temperatures on Monday

Pittsburgh will keep warming centers open on Monday, January 26 at seven locations until 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., depending on the center, as the city is plunged into freezing temperatures following Sunday’s snowstorm.

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CitiParks will activate four Healthy Active Senior Centers in the city, while three additional CitiParks Recreation Centers will also be open for those trying to escape the cold today.

According to the weather forecast, Monday’s high will be 18 degrees, while 1 degree is its low. Through Friday, temperatures are expected not to exceed 18 degrees, while the lows range from -2 to 1 degrees.

For Monday, CitiParks will open the following Healthy Active Living Senior Centers:

Beechview Healthy Active Living Community Center (1555 Broadway Avenue, until 6 p.m.)
Greenfield Healthy Active Living Community Center (745 Greenfield Avenue, until 6 p.m.)
Sheraden Healthy Active Living Community Center (720 Sherwood Avenue, until 6 p.m.)
South Side Market House Healthy Active Living Community Center (12th & Bingham Streets, until 7 p.m.)

CitiParks’ Healthy Active Living Senior Centers at Glen Hazel, Hazelwood, Homewood, Lawrenceville, Morningside, Mount Washington, and West End will be closed.

CitiParks’ Recreation Centers that will be open include:

Magee (745 Greenfield Avenue, until 8 p.m.)
Phillips (201 Parkfield Street, until 7 p.m.)
Warrington (329 Warrington Avenue, until 7 p.m.)

All other CitiParks Recreation Centers – Ammon, Arlington, Brookline, Jefferson, Ormsby, Paulson, and West End – will be closed.

Visit the City of Pittsburgh’s website for updates on warming centers for the rest of the week.

News

January 14, 2026

Pittsburgh Offering Winter Events for Children and Families

The weather outside might be frightful – depending on the ever-changing Pittsburgh weather – but the city has much to offer that’s delightful in the weeks to come.

Several major winter events will take place in Pittsburgh in January and February.

Day Off at the Museum

The Carnegie Museum of Art will hold an event for young artists on Monday, January 19 – which is Martin Luther King, Jr. Day – during which they will immerse themselves in art on their day off from school.

Children, ages 6 to 10, will be able to experiment with a variety of materials, make new discoveries, and explore techniques to help them grow as artists. They will be able to find inspiration in the museum’s galleries and create original artworks through painting, printing, sculpting, and mixed media. They can also engage in playful art and sensory challenges.

The camp costs $85 and registration is required.

NFL Play 60 Training Day

The Heinz History Center will host NFL Play 60 Training Day on Saturday, January 31. Children of all ages will be able to take part in activities on each floor of the Franco Harris Sports Museum.

During the event, which is sponsored by Dick’s Sporting Goods, children will be able to train like a pro in the mini-NFL Combine with a series of drills. They can also discover the region’s sports history and complete physical challenges throughout the museum.

Children will get in for free and it will be included in adult admission.

Science Bowl

The Carnegie Museum of Natural History will hold a Science Bowl for grades four through eight on Wednesday, February 4.

The event will enable participants to solve puzzles, crack clues, and take on challenges. It is part scavenger hunt, part brain workout, and filled with fun activities. There is a $15 per student fee for the program.

Registration is limited to 20 students per school. Those interested in bringing additional students should email the museum closer to the event date to see if there is available space due to cancellations.

Valentines on Ice

CitiParks’ Office of Special Events announced recently that tickets for the 20th Annual Valentines on Ice, a night of outdoor skating to celebrate Valentine’s Day, are now on sale.

The event, which takes place on February 14 at the Schenley Park Ice Rink, will feature two skate sessions – a family-friendly session for all ages from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. and an adults-only session from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Attendees will be able to skate to romantic music, take part in free indoor activities, and create and take home event souvenirs, such as caricatures, selfie booth photos, chocolates, and roses.

The event will be offered at a special rate of $9 per one adult and child ticket for the first session and $12 per couple for the later session. Skate rentals are an additional $3 per person.

News

December 12, 2025

CitiParks to Open Warming Centers on December 14 Amid Freezing Temperatures

CitiParks will activate five Healthy Active Living Centers as warming centers on Sunday, December 14 as temperatures are expected to drop below 20 degrees.

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On Sunday and Monday, temperatures are expected to drop to the teens and in the lower teens overnight.

To prepare for the Arctic blast, Pittsburgh will open warming stations at the following sites:

Beechview Healthy Active Living Community Center (1555 Broadway Avenue)
Greenfield Healthy Active Living Community Center (745 Greenfield Avenue)
Homewood Healthy Active Living Community Center (7321 Frankstown Road)
Sheraden Healthy Active Living Community Center (720 Sherwood Avenue)
South Side Market House Healthy Active Living Community Center (12th & Bingham streets)

CitiParks typically activates warming centers when the forecasted highs are predicted to be 20 degrees or lower.

News

August 21, 2025

Alphabet Trail & Tales

CitiParks will host its 24th Annual Alphabet Trail and Tales on Saturday, Sept. 13 at the Frick Park Blue Slide Playground.

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The event will celebrate the best in children’s books, interactive story sets, art, music, games, and fun for the whole family.

It will run from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Frick Park Blue Slide Playground, located at Beechwood Boulevard at Nicholson Street.

For more information, call 412-665-3665.

News

August 18, 2025

Pittsburgh Announces End of Summer Pool Season Schedule

Pittsburgh has released its schedule and operating hours for the final two weeks of the summer CitiParks pool season.

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Starting today, CitiParks will have a reduction in pools and pool operating hours as many of the lifeguards head back to school.

Seven pools will maintain operating hours through Labor Day on Monday, Sept. 1. These include:

Ammon
Bloomfield
Highland
Jack Stack
Moore
Ream
Schenley

The pools will operate with the following hours through Sunday, Aug. 24:

Monday – Friday: noon to 7:45 p.m.
Saturday – Sunday: noon to 5:45 p.m.

Highland and Moore pools will operate from noon to 7:45 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 25 through Friday, Aug. 29. And all seven pools will operate from noon to 5:45 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 30 through Monday, Sept. 1.

News

July 30, 2025

CitiParks Will Open Cooling Centers in August for Temperatures Above 90 Degrees

CitiParks will open its cooling centers for Pittsburgh residents to cool off if the temperatures rise above 90 degrees in August.

Currently, cooling centers are scheduled to remain open only through July 30 to provide a cool space for residents during recent heat waves.

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CitiParks operates cooling centers at six Healthy Active Living Centers in the Pittsburgh region. The centers provide residents with a safe, air-conditioned environment to cool off between the hours of 8 a.m. and 7 p.m.

The centers are located in:

Beechview (1555 Broadway Ave.)
Brighton Heights (3515 McClure Ave.)
Greenfield (745 Greenfield Ave.)
Homewood (7321 Frankstown Road)
Sheraden (720 Sherwood Ave.)
South Side (12 & Bingham Streets)

All residents are encouraged to take precautions during periods of extreme heat, especially older adults, young children, and those with underlying health conditions.

News

June 24, 2025

CitiParks Operating Cooling Centers Amid Pittsburgh Heatwave

CitiParks will operate six cooling centers this week amid temperatures exceeding 90 degrees in Pittsburgh.

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With temperatures expected to hit 96 degrees on Tuesday and 92 on Wednesday, CitiParks has activated six Healthy Active Living Centers as cooling centers through Wednesday.

The centers will provide residents with a safe, air-conditioned environment to escape the heat and will remain open from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Locations include:

Beechview (1555 Broadway Ave.)
Brighton Heights (3515 McClure Ave.)
Greenfield (745 Greenfield Avenue)
Homewood (7321 Frankstown Road)
Sheraden (720 Sherwood Ave.)
South Side (12th & Bingham Streets)

Residents are encouraged to take precautions during periods of extreme heat, especially older adults, young children, and those with underlying health conditions.

CitiParks typically activates cooling centers when the forecasted highs are predicted to be above 90 degrees.

News

May 7, 2025

Pittsburgh Farmers Markets to Open for the Season in May and June

The CitiParks Farmers Markets will return to various locations in Pittsburgh starting next week. The four markets will open either in May or June and run through November or December.

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Shoppers who receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits will be able to get fresh, nutritious, and locally-grown food at the markets. Products include produce, meat, dairy, bread and baked goods, produce plants, seeds, and honey. Hot prepared food items, alcohol, and non-food items are not eligible for SNAP purchases.

Food Bucks gives Fresh Access food stamp shoppers extra money to spend on fruits and vegetables. For every $5 spent in food stamps, shoppers will receive an extra $2 to spend on produce. For the 2025 season, Just Harvest will add another $3 to this as a result of a grant from the Food Justice Fund that will double SNAP benefits at all CitiParks markets.

The markets – which are operated by the city’s Department of Parks & Recreation (CitiParks) – will offer expanded vendor selections, revamped layouts, and new community programming aimed at making visits more engaging and accessible.

The Squirrel Hill Market opens with a special market on Sunday, May 11 to celebrate Mother’s Day. There will be a Beer Garden at the Northside Market on the last Friday of every month that will include musical entertainment. Special programming and theme weeks with community partners will be featured at the markets beginning in June.

The four markets include:

Squirrel Hill (Beacon/Bartlett parking lot): Sundays 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. from May 11 to Dec. 21
East End (Liberty Green Park, Larimer Avenue): Mondays 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. from June 2 to Nov. 17
Carrick (Carrick Dairy District, 1529 Brownsville Road): Wednesdays 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. from June 4 to Nov. 19
North Side (Allegheny Commons Park, East Ohio & Cedar): Fridays 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. from May 16 to Nov. 21

“We’re thrilled about this year’s farmers markets and the continued investment in our city’s local economy,” CitiParks Director Kathryn Vargas said. “Our goal is to support the growth of small, sustainable businesses while creating an experience that every Pittsburgher will be excited to be part of.”

News

April 7, 2025

CitiParks Seeking Lifeguards for Pittsburgh City Pools This Summer

CitiParks is launching its recruitment efforts for lifeguards for the upcoming summer pool season.

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CitiParks Aquatics recruits, trains, and certifies lifeguards for Pittsburgh for the summer. However, onboarding an adequate number of lifeguards for the city’s outdoor pools has been challenging since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The city has steadily increased the number of pools opened each year – eight opened in 2021, 12 in 2022, and 15 in both 2023 and 2024. Whether the city will be able to keep pace with the number of new pools opening will depend on how many lifeguards it can recruit.

Lifeguard duties vary from staffing normal operating hours of pools to working as head or regional guards. Employees will have the opportunity to learn and grow within CitiParks Aquatics, which could lead to other city employment opportunities.

Lifeguards must be Pittsburgh residents, at least 15 years of age, and willing to work at any CitiParks outdoor pool. Those who are interested – whether a new candidate or a returning guard – should fill out the 2025 Lifeguard Interest Form and CitiParks Aquatics will contact them.

“We continue to work hard to garner increased interest in recruiting CitiParks lifeguards,” said CitiParks Director Kathryn Vargas. “We are encouraged by the enthusiasm our returning guards show each year, and we work hard to promote that with all incoming guards.”

Vargas said she believed that higher wages – which will range from $17.48 to $20.16 per hour, based on experience – in 2025 would help to draw new recruits.

For more information, visit the CitiParks Lifeguard page.