Pittsburgh Offering Free Meals for Children At Rec Centers, Other Locations Through August

News

June 24, 2026

Pittsburgh Offering Free Meals for Children At Rec Centers, Other Locations Through August

Through mid-August, any child under the age of 18 can receive free breakfast, lunch, and snacks at eight rec centers and more than 40 partner locations in Pittsburgh.

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CitiParks is working with Pittsburgh Public Schools, the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank, Turner’s, Monteverde’s, and the American Dairy Association to offer the program. The continuance of the program was announced last week in Highland Park, CBS News reported

Children under age 18 – or those with intellectual disabilities up to age 21 – can receive a free meal at one of eight CitiParks rec centers. Numerous other locations providing the meals can be found on the city’s website. The programs wrap up for the summer at various times in August, with the latest closing down on August 14.

The eight rec center locations include: 

  • Ammon Rec Center (2217 Bedford Avenue)
  • Brookline Rec Center (1400 Oakridge Street)
  • Jefferson Rec Center (605 Rednap Street)
  • Magee Rec Center (745 Greenfield Avenue)
  • Ormsby Rec Center (79 S. 22nd Street)
  • Paulson Rec Center (1201 Paulson Avenue)
  • Phillips Rec Center (201 Parkfield Street)
  • Warrington Rec Center (329 E. Warrington Avenue)

The city has also provided a printable summer food program.

CitiParks Opens Pools, Kicks Off Summer Concerts and Other Activities

News

June 16, 2026

CitiParks Opens Pools, Kicks Off Summer Concerts and Other Activities

CitiParks has opened its 16 swimming pools for the summer and has everything from farmers markets to community pop-up concerts planned for the next few months.

City Pools

The city recently opened up its 16 pools for the summer – Ammon, Banksville, Bloomfield, Highland, Jack Stack, Magee, McBride, Moore, Ormsby, Phillips, Ream, Riverview, Schenley, Sue Murray, West Penn and Westwood. The Homewood pool is expected to open soon following an update and renovation.

Pool hours and schedules are posted on the city pools’ website. All pools are free for those under age 15 who live in the city of Pittsburgh. Those over age 15 can pay per visit or purchase a season pass.

CitiCamp and Other Activities

CitiParks will also offer a wide variety of activities this summer, most of which can be found in its Summer Guide.

Activities include:

  • Farmers markets
  • Roving Art Cart
  • Food programs
  • Alphabet Trail & Tales
  • Tennis and pickleball
  • Roller skating
  • CitiSports
  • Try Athletes’ First Try Collection
  • Track and Treat
  • Aquatics
  • Cinema in the Park
  • Summer concerts 
  • America’s 250th Birthday and Annual Independence Celebration

The city is also offering its free CitiCamp, with 238 campers between the ages of 4 and 12 at six recreation centers. The STEAM-based camp enables attendees to engage with art, science, math, history, field trips, and other activities. It runs daily from June 15 through July 31.

Summer Concerts

CitiParks will also host several community pop-up concerts throughout the summer. The concerts – three of which will be held on Friday nights in Mellon Park, while the fourth is a special Sunday finale at Allegheny Commons Park West – include:

  • Come Together Beatles’ tribute at Mellon Park (Friday, July 10 at 7 p.m.)
  • Norman Nardini Band at Mellon Park (Friday, July 17 at 7 p.m.)
  • The Flow Band at Mellon Park (Friday, July 24 at 7 p.m.)
  • Billy Price & Joe Grushecky Perform “Forever Young: A Tribute to Bob Dylan” at Allegheny Commons Park West (Sunday, September 13 at 7 p.m.)

The city will also host its Summer Concert Series at South Park Amphitheater and Hartwood Acres Park Amphitheater. This year’s lineup at South Park includes the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra (July 3), The Heavy Heavy (July 10), Orleans (July 17), and Don McLean (July 31), while Hartwood’s lineup includes the orchestra (July 5), The Fixx (July 12), Arrested Development (July 26), and Big Bad Voodoo Daddy (August 9).

City Recreation Centers Will Offer Programming for Children During NFL Draft

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)

Pittsburgh Operating Warming Centers to Combat Frigid Temperatures on Monday

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.

Pittsburgh Offering Winter Events for Children and Families

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.

CitiParks to Open Warming Centers on December 14 Amid Freezing Temperatures

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.

Alphabet Trail & Tales

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.

Pittsburgh Announces End of Summer Pool Season Schedule

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.

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

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.

CitiParks Operating Cooling Centers Amid Pittsburgh Heatwave

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.