News

June 29, 2023

Resources for July Observances

Various organizations, states, and nations recognize a number of observances each month. Resources help parents, caregivers, and child care professionals acknowledge and navigate them.

Here is a list of resources for July observances:

Month-Long Observances

National Parks and Recreation Month

National Make a Difference to Children Month

National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month

Days of Recognition

July 4 is Independence Day

July 14 is International Non-Binary People’s Day

July 24 is National Parents’ Day

July 25 is World Drowning Prevention Day

July 26 is National Disability Independence Day

News

May 15, 2020

Changes Made to Summer Activities During COVID-19 Pandemic

On May 15, the City of Pittsburgh announced how summer activities will be impacted by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. While many activities will be allowed, others will be cancelled or postponed. All decisions follow federal and state guidelines.

About

In a City press release, Mayor William Peduto praised Pittsburgh residents, stating, that “Pittsburgh residents have done a great job during these trying times staying safe and looking out for each other.” However, he recognized that the battle against COVID-19 is far from over, and social distancing and other measures must remain in place to win this fight.

With a larger number of residents venturing outdoors as the weather warms, the City has outlined lists of activities that will or will not be permitted during the pandemic. Decisions on closures and activities may be revisited as pandemic circumstances and federal and state guidelines change.

Permitted Summer Activities

Activities that can safely comply with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) social distancing guidelines will be allowed. Permitted activities include the following:

    • Drive-in movies (by the Special Events office)
    • Farmers Markets
    • Pickup of bulk trash
    • Road closures in City parks (more information below)
    • Tennis courts (singles matches encouraged)
    • Pickleball courts (singles matches encouraged)
    • Skate parks
    • Fields (but not for organized group sports)
    • Frisbee Golf
    • Lawn Bowling
    • Bocce
    • Expanded summer food program (likely to begin June 15)

City crews are working to reopen facilities starting May 15 and will continue their work into next week. Drive-in movies organized by the Special Events office will begin June 13. More information will be released later. Farmer’s Markets will begin June 3 in Carrick and begin in other neighborhoods thereafter. Social distancing and safe purchasing requirements will be in place.

Non-Permitted Summer Activities

Large group events that cannot safely comply with social distancing will not be allowed. Non-permitted activities include the following:

    • July 4 fireworks
    • City-sponsored concerts
    • 5Ks, the Great Race and other races (though they can be held virtually)
    • Summer Camps
    • Citiparks summer youth baseball
    • Summer Line Dancing
    • Pistons in the Park

Playgrounds, park shelters, and spray parks will remain closed until further notice. Swimming pools (including the Oliver Bath House) will also remain closed. While the CDC says that swimming itself is safe, the guidelines require at least six feet of distance between users and no more than ten people would be allowed at any time. It has been determined that city pool waiting areas, locker rooms, and lounging areas are too cramped to allow for appropriate distancing under these guidelines.

Activities To Be Determined

Final decisions on other activities and facilities have not yet been made, including decisions on the following:

    • Recreation centers
    • Senior Healthy Active Living centers
    • Block party permits
    • Mellon Tennis Bubble
    • Art Cart
    • Water fountains and water features
    • Park restrooms
    • Organized group sports including deck hockey, soccer, baseball, and basketball

DOMI Task Force

The City Department of Mobility and Infrastructure (DOMI) has established a task force to study methods of using some streets and sidewalks to allow for safe recreation and business activity. Its recommendations will be issued soon. In the meantime, plans are underway to close some streets in City parks to vehicular traffic. No timetables are yet set, but plans are for the following closures:

More Information

For more information, read the full press release.

*Information provided by the City of Pittsburgh

News

December 9, 2019

Project WET: Getting Little Feet WET

This Project WET workshop will provide early childhood educators with developmentally appropriate water-based curriculum and activities for their early childhood classrooms. PQAS hours offered.

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this course, learners will be able to:

    • properly utilize the Project WET: Getting Little Feet WET educator guide as a curriculum reference;
    • participate in four Project WET activities that can be utilized in an early childhood classroom; and
    • walk away with at least 10 new ways to incorporate water into the early childhood classroom.

Registration

To register and learn more, visit the Pennsylvania PD Registry website.

PD Registry Event ID: 306821

More Information

Please visit the Allegheny Land Trust website to schedule this workshop for your center or location and for pricing. Email Julie Travaglini at 412.741.2750 or jtravaglini@alleghenylandtrust.org for more information. For more courses like this, please click here. 

*Information provided by The Pennsylvania Key

News

April 5, 2019

Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy Earth Day

Friday, April 26

6 – 9 p.m. | Community Campfire*

Join Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy for an all-ages community campfire under the stars. They’ll have the fire and sticks, you bring your own hot dogs and s’more fixings. Note: This event takes place at Falls Ravine Shelter (click here for directions to nearby trail entrance).

Saturday, April 27th

8 – 11 a.m. | Volunteer Event

Make a positive mark on your park as a volunteer! This event is held in partnership with Comcast.

This event is now full. Registrations are no longer being accepted.

11 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. | Naturalist-led Walks and Hikes

Join Parks Conservancy naturalists and partners from across the city for a variety of hikes and walks throughout Frick Park. Hikes and walks are each about one hour long and start at 12 p.m., 1:30 p.m., and 3 p.m.

Ongoing | Activities, Exhibits, and Events

Throughout Earth Day 2019, participants can also find and experience local exhibitors, organizations, and artists.

Activities include:

  • Nature play
  • Supervised tree climbing
  • Giant games
  • Pop-up Imagination Playground
  • Bubbles.

This event is held in partnership with the City of Pittsburgh.

Transportation

If you’re looking to attend these Earth Day celebrations, Trying Together is providing free bus transportation! Registration is required.

  • Friday, April 26 | Bus departs from 7219 Kelly Street at 6 p.m.; returns at 8:30 p.m.
  • Saturday, April 27 | Bus departs from Homewood Avenue and Kelly Street at 1:30 p.m.; returns at 4:15 p.m.
Registration

To register for the bus, please contact Jan Jones by calling 412.421.3889, ext. 108 or by visiting the Homewood Early Learning Hub.

Learn More

To learn more, visit the event website!

Share this flyer with your network.

News

April 3, 2019

Healthy Kids Day 2019

SCHOOL’S OUT AND IT’S TIME TO RELAX, DECOMPRESS AND HAVE FUN WITH FRIENDS.

Summer is the time for kids to get up, get out and grow. But for some kids, exposure to activities that stimulate the body and mind ends with the school year. In fact, research shows that kids are prone to gain more weight and fall behind in studies.

Coming April 2019 at the Homewood-Brushton YMCA for this free community event featuring fun, active play, and educational activities!

Click here for more information.

News

March 27, 2019

P.R.I.D.E. Seeks Early Educators & Artists for Upcoming Art Festivals

Recently, the Positive Racial Identity Development in Early Education program (P.R.I.D.E.) announced a call for submissions to Pittsburgh-based early childhood educators and Africana artists for the P.R.I.D.E. Pop Up Mini Art Festivals.

About the Festivals

Modeled after children’s activities offered during the popular Harambee || Black Arts Festivals, P.R.I.D.E. Pop Ups are small, half-day, outdoor art festivals hosted in three Pittsburgh communities: East Liberty, Homewood, and the Hill District. At the festivals, artists and educators engage young children (ages 3 to 8) and their families in hands-on activities. The goal is for adults to use art activities to teach children about their race and culture while building their positive racial identity.

To see important dates and learn more, visit the P.R.I.D.E. website.

Who Can Apply

This call for submissions is open to early educators teaching grades Pre-K to 3rd grade and Africana artists working in the following disciplines: Literature, Performing Arts, Visual Arts & Crafts, and/or Multidisciplinary Arts. Applications are open to early childhood educators from all neighborhoods, schools, and child care settings, including public, private, charter, etc. Educators working in East Liberty, Homewood, and Hill District schools/settings are highly encouraged to apply.

Participating educators and artists will receive the following compensation:

  • Educator and Artist Cross-Training Compensation: $275
  • Educator and Artist Festival Participation Compensation: $260 per event ($780 total)
  • End-of-Project Focus Group Participation Compensation: $25
  • Artist Material Stipend: $400

Application & Deadlines

If you’re interested in applying or signing up as a volunteer, please visit the P.R.I.D.E. website.

All applications must be submitted by Friday, April 5 at 11:59 p.m.

About P.R.I.D.E.

As a part of the University of Pittsburgh School of Education’s Office of Child Development, P.R.I.D.E. is a multifaceted program designed to help young African American children (ages 3 to 8) develop a positive racial identity, support teachers and parents by building their racial knowledge, and raise awareness of the impact of race on young children. The program provides a range of services, such as training opportunities for educators and artists, Parent Village sessions for Black children, and art festivals created to immerse young Black children in a space designed to celebrate them.

See the P.R.I.D.E. Pop Up Mini Art Festivals flyer. 

*Information provided by the P.R.I.D.E. Program