News

December 23, 2024

Pittsburgh Debuts Its First Accessible Tennis Court

Pittsburgh has debuted its first re-fitted accessible tennis court in Highland Park. The redesigned, high-visibility court is part of Mayor Ed Gainey’s plans to make the city accessible for all residents.

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The refitted tennis court will benefit those with vision impairments who may require higher contrast lining in order to play tennis.

“Recreation is sometimes an area that’s not considered when thinking of ensuring inclusive spaces in cities,” Gainey said. “When I sought out to increase accessibility across all services, I knew we had to double-down on our efforts to make this city a place where everyone has the accommodations and tools they need to thrive.”

The Department of Public Works is looking to expand accessible recreation options for city residents in the future.

The tennis court is reserveable for programming. Those interested in reserving the space should email CitiParks at citiparkstennis@pittsburghpa.gov or call 412-255-2349.

News

December 11, 2024

Pittsburgh’s Annual Skate with Santa

The city of Pittsburgh and CitiParks will hold their annual Skate with Santa event on Sunday, Dec. 15.

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Attendees will have the chance to take to the ice with Santa Claus during the 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. skating session on Dec. 15. The event will also include holiday music.

“We are thrilled to have the rink up and running for the 2024-25 season after being closed last year for the installation of our state-of-the-art new chiller system,” said Kathryn Vargas, CitiParks director.

Tickets are available online only.

News

November 19, 2024

Schenley Park Skating Rink Reopens Following Equipment Upgrade

Schenley Park Skating Rink reopened for the 2024-25 season this week following an upgrade to its chilling equipment.

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The city planned to celebrate the opening of the outdoor rink with a ribbon cutting on Nov. 19. The city’s Department of Public Works encountered some issues during the upgrade of the equipment that prevented the 2023-24 season from taking place.

The department completed the replacement of the aging chiller system, which was having difficulty keeping the ice viable. The total cost of the project was $3.5 million. Allegheny Regional Asset District contributed $2 million to the new chiller system.

“The installation of the new chillers will ensure outdoor skating continues at Schenley Park for years to come,” said CitiParks Director Kathryn Vargas, who added that the upcoming season marks 50 years of the rink.

More Information

Schenley Park Skating Rink operates seven days a week and offers a variety of public skating sessions as well as several special skating events.

Upcoming special events include:

  • Skate with Santa – 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 15
  • Mascot Skate – 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. (online tickets only) on Saturday, Jan. 25
  • Disco Night – 8 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. (adults only) on Saturday, Feb. 1
  • Valentine’s On Ice – 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. (online tickets only) on Friday, Feb. 14 
  • Family Skate – 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. (one child skates free with a paying adult) on Thursdays

Admission to the skating rink is $5 for adults, $4 for seniors and veterans (with ID), and $3 for youth (17 years and younger). Skate rentals are available for $3 per skater.

For more information, visit the skating rink’s website.

News

November 18, 2024

Registration Open for First Event at Pittsburgh Esports Arena

Registration is open for the first event that will take place at the Pittsburgh E-Arena, a new esports forum.

The CitiParks Office of Special Events will host a tournament featuring Rocket League area youths on Saturdays Dec. 14 and 21. Registration is now open and limited to the first 32 individuals.

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The tournament will be a double-elimination event that is open to youths between the ages of 13 and 18. It will kick off with online-only gameplay on the first day of competition. This will be followed by in-person matches on the second Saturday, during which young gamers will have the opportunity to compete for the title of “Best in the City.”

Participants will form teams to compete in doubles mode in preliminary rounds to determine the final teams for the in-person event, which will be held at CCAC Allegheny. All participants are invited to attend the final round and will receive a commemorative T-shirt, complimentary food, and access to activities sponsored by Tech 25, a local workforce development nonprofit that will also provide the use of Legion Gaming PCs for finalists.

The esports forum will hold year-round community program offerings. It is designed to unite local gamers in competitive environments and provides a platform for youth to showcase their gaming talent while exploring educational opportunities in tech and digital careers.

For more details on tournament regulations and requirements or to register for the event, visit the CitiParks Office of Special Events’ E-Arena website.

News

June 18, 2024

Track and Treat for Kids

Citiparks will host a free healthy lifestyle event for children with a Halloween theme in mid-October.

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Attendees are encouraged to bring their bike or borrow one from Citiparks during the Track and Treat for Kids event. The event will involve cycling around the Bud Harris Cycling Track and stopping for refreshments, food trucks, and bike safety instructions.

Participants can decorate their bikes, play games, and enter a Halloween costume contest at 2 p.m.

The event will run from noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 19 at the Bud Harris Cycling Track.

News

23rd Annual Alphabet Trail and Tales

Citiparks will host the 23rd Annual Alphabet Trail and Tales in September at Frick Park.

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

The Alphabet Trail and Tales will take place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 14 at the Frick Park Blue Slide Playground, located at Beechwood Boulevard at Nicholson Street.

For more information, visit the event’s website or call the Citiparks Community Enrichment Office at 412-665-3665.

News

June 12, 2024

CitiParks’ Learn 2 Ride

CitiParks and Adaptive POGOH will offer one free session per month in which they will teach attendees of all ages how to ride a bicycle.

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Those who stop by will be able to practice in the park, try an Adaptive POGOH or pre-register for an instruct0r-led group class. Participants can bring their own bikes or use one of POGOH’s.

Ages 5 and up will be able to learn while riding the half-mile Bud Harris Cycling Track along Washington Boulevard. Adaptive POGOH will have bikes as well as a tandem and a low-step bike.

More Details

The bike-riding practice sessions will run from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Fridays June 14, July 19, and Aug. 16. The Bud Harris Cycling Track is located at 1401 Washington Blvd. in Pittsburgh.

For more information or to register, visit the event’s website.

News

CitiParks’ Learn 2 Ride

CitiParks and Adaptive POGOH will offer one free session per month in which they will teach attendees of all ages how to ride a bicycle.

Learn More

Those who stop by will be able to practice in the park, try an Adaptive POGOH or pre-register for an instruct0r-led group class. Participants can bring their own bikes or use one of POGOH’s.

Ages 5 and up will be able to learn while riding the half-mile Bud Harris Cycling Track along Washington Boulevard. Adaptive POGOH will have bikes as well as a tandem and a low-step bike.

More Details

The bike-riding practice sessions will run from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Fridays June 14, July 19, and Aug. 16. The Bud Harris Cycling Track is located at 1401 Washington Blvd. in Pittsburgh.

For more information or to register, visit the event’s website.

News

CitiParks’ Learn 2 Ride

CitiParks and Adaptive POGOH will offer one free session per month in which they will teach attendees of all ages how to ride a bicycle.

Learn More

Those who stop by will be able to practice in the park, try an Adaptive POGOH or pre-register for an instruct0r-led group class. Participants can bring their own bikes or use one of POGOH’s.

Ages 5 and up will be able to learn while riding the half-mile Bud Harris Cycling Track along Washington Boulevard. Adaptive POGOH will have bikes as well as a tandem and a low-step bike.

More Details

The bike-riding practice sessions will run from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Fridays June 14, July 19, and Aug. 16. The Bud Harris Cycling Track is located at 1401 Washington Blvd. in Pittsburgh.

For more information or to register, visit the event’s website.

News

June 10, 2024

CitiParks to Open Pittsburgh’s Outdoor Swimming Pools for Summer

CitiParks is scheduled to open 15 of Pittsburgh’s outdoor swimming pools for the summer this coming weekend.

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The pools are scheduled to open on Saturday, June 15. The hours and days of operation are yet to be announced as staff works on lifeguard scheduling. 

CitiParks has recruited, certified, and onboarded 140 lifeguards for the 2024 pool season. The final training class for lifeguards was completed at the beginning of the month.

The 15 pools that will open this weekend include: 

  • Ammon
  • Banksville
  • Bloomfield
  • Highland Park
  • Jack Stack
  • Magee
  • McBride
  • Moore
  • Ormsby
  • Phillips
  • Riverview
  • Schenley
  • Sue Murray
  • West Penn 
  • Westwood

Three pools are not opening for the season due to maintenance and staffing issues. Due to a major renovation in Homewood Park, the pool will remain closed. Ream will not open due to a cement and liner issue, while Sheraden is undergoing a number of renovations that are required for the pool and its building. 

Pool tags will be available on opening day at all open pool entry gates. Visitors can save time by completing their application before arriving at the pool.

For more information, visit the City of Pittsburgh’s website.