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August 23, 2023

IPA-USA National Day of Loose Parts Play

The International Play Association-USA chapter presents National Day of Play on September 16, 2023! 

To celebrate this international recognition of the importance of play, Playful Pittsburgh Collaborative is hosting a special, pop-up play day on Saturday, September 16 at Lytle Land and The Elizabeth Street Parklet from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The Playful Pittsburgh “IPA-USA National Day of Loose Parts Play” event is a free, family-friendly opportunity for all communities throughout Pittsburgh to enjoy a day of play. The event will focus on embracing loose parts play to highlight how everyday items, such as cardboard boxes, paper tubes, string, and various fabrics can be representative of items from around the world. Using our imagination, we will celebrate cultural differences and similarities of play through a range of activities.

When: Saturday, 9/16 | 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Where: Lytle Land Park, 5113 Lytle Street, Pittsburgh, Pa. 15207 (Hazelwood)

Light snacks and refreshments will be provided. We know you’ll leave the play day feeling inspired and creative, so the fun can continue wherever your family travels! Loose parts are all around us!

Don’t miss this celebration of play from perspectives around the world!

Partnering Organizations Include:

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August 17, 2023

Hazelwood Tree Appreciation Day!

Come to the Hazelwood community in September for a special appreciation event for trees!

Join Playful Pittsburgh Collaborative, Landforce, Tree Pittsburgh, and Arts Excursions Unlimited on Friday, September 22 as they collectively celebrate the importance of play in nature at Lytle Land and The Elizabeth Street Parklet in Hazelwood.

When: Friday, September 22 | 4 – 6 p.m.

Where: Lytle Land, Hazelwood, 5113 Lytle Street, Pittsburgh, Pa. 15207

During this appreciation event, participate in a tree walk where you will learn about the life cycle of a tree and a nature scavenger hunt.

This event is FREE and open to the community, and is family-friendly.

For more information, contact Playful Pittsburgh Collaborative at playfulpgh@tryingtogether.org.

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March 21, 2023

Playful Pittsburgh Collaborative Lytle Land / Elizabeth Street Parklet Clean-Up Day

Join Playful Pittsburgh Collaborative, Landforce, Rising Tide, and Hazelwood Initiative, Inc. for a day of community clean up at Lytle Land and the Elizabeth Street Parklet. There will be jobs for all ages, skill sets, and abilities.

Lunch will be provided following the clean-up! Please email playfulpgh@tryingtogether.org if you have any questions about this community clean-up day.

When: Saturday, April 1, 2023 | 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Where: Hazelwood, 5113 Lytle Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15207

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August 19, 2019

Hazelwood Community to Celebrate Elizabeth Street Park Opening

The Playful Pittsburgh Collaborative and Trying Together, in cooperation with the City of Pittsburgh, invite community members and stakeholders to celebrate the official opening of the Elizabeth Street Park in Hazelwood on Wednesday, August 28.

About

Located on the corner of Roma Way and Gloster Street, the Elizabeth Street Park was revitalized thanks to a grant from the Heinz Endowments. Working in partnership with the City of Pittsburgh’s Department of Public Works and Department of Mobility and Infrastructure, the Playful Pittsburgh Collaborative, and Trying Together contracted with various entities to design and create the park.

Efforts for the park began in March 2015, born out of a community conversation around access to play in Hazelwood. Youth, community members, and community stakeholders joined together to brainstorm and design the park as a stop along the Hazelwood Play Trail. The location of the park was selected to help bridge the division created by the train tracks that split Hazelwood.

Located across Roma Way from a KaBOOM! community-built playground, created with funds from the Heinz Endowments and partnership between the Playful Pittsburgh Collaborative, Trying Together, and the Hazelwood Initiative in September 2016, the park features a beautiful mural inspired by the rich history and community members of Hazelwood. The City’s Public Art & Civic Design Division released a Request for Proposals (RFP) to identify artists to complete the mural on the bridge, with the highest score going to local artists Edith Abeyta and Sandy Kessler-Kaminski.

Event Details

Community members are invited to join together at the Elizabeth Street Park on August 28 from 5 to 7:00 p.m. for an opening celebration and ribbon-cutting ceremony, featuring:

    • food,
    • family-friendly games,
    • music from the Center of Life’s KRUNK program,
    • and Hazelwood-relevant information tables.

Visit the event page to learn more.

Acknowledgments

The Playful Pittsburgh Collaborative and Trying Together thank the following organizations, individuals, and entities for their dedicated support and for the work they have done to make this project a success: the City of Pittsburgh’s Department of Public Works, Department of Mobility and Infrastructure, Department of Public Safety, Department of City Planning, and Art Commission; Zone 4 Police; the Office of Corey O’Connor; the Hazelwood Initiative; the Heinz Endowments; Studio for Spatial Practice; 1 over 1 Studio; Edith Abeyta; Sandy Kessler-Kaminski; Eisler Landscapes; and the Student Conservation Association of Pittsburgh.

More Information

For more information, contact Sarah Siplak at 412.567.4386 or sarahs@tryingtogether.org.

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Elizabeth Street Park and Mural Ribbon-Cutting

Join the Playful Pittsburgh Collaborative on August 28 to celebrate the opening of the Elizabeth Street Park and the completion of a new, playful mural in Hazelwood!

About

On August 28, the Playful Pittsburgh Collaborative will host a free, public event in Hazelwood to celebrate the Elizabeth Street Park opening. The event will feature:

    • a mural ribbon-cutting ceremony,
    • family-friendly games,
    • live music,
    • food,
    • and more!

Learn More

For more information, contact Sarah Siplak at 412.567.4386 or sarahs@tryingtogether.org.

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June 3, 2019

Carnegie Library Serving Summer Meals for Children

Beginning June 17, the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh will offer free summer meals/snacks to Pittsburgh youth on weekdays through August 23.

About

In summer 2019, the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh will continue its participation in the Summer Food Service Program in order to ensure even more Pittsburgh youth have access to free food during summer vacation. Meals and activities will be provided during times listed below while supplies last and are for youth ages 18 and younger, and for persons with disabilities up to age 21.

Meals are being offered locally in collaboration with Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank and Pittsburgh CitiParks as part of the federally funded Summer Food Service Program.

Program Schedule

This program is available Monday – Friday at the following locations (unless otherwise specified):

More Information

For questions, contact the Library of Pittsburgh via phone at 412.622.3114.

*Information provided by the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh

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Buzzword Pittsburgh: Talk & Play in Hazelwood

Join Buzzword Pittsburgh on Wednesday, June 19 for Talk & Play in Hazelwood! This event is free for learners ages five and under, with their caregivers, and will include activities that enhance vocabulary and literacy skills.  Dinner will be provided.

More Information

For more information, contact Jan Jones at jan@tryingtogether.org.

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