Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy was founded in December 1996 by a group of citizens concerned with the deteriorating conditions of Pittsburgh’s historic city parks. A non-profit organization, the Parks Conservancy works closely with the City of Pittsburgh under an official public-private partnership agreement to restore and improve the city’s park system to its full potential. To date, the Parks Conservancy has raised more than $130 million and completed 22 major park improvement projects. A team of 40 dedicated Parks Conservancy employees work with thousands of volunteers, host hundreds of events, and provide programming for more than 7,500 children annually. History The Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy was founded in 1996 by Meg Cheever, former publisher of Pittsburgh Magazine, who modeled it on other private/public partnerships in Louisville, Kentucky, New York City, and Buffalo, New York. To date, the Parks Conservancy has raised more than $130 million to restore Pittsburgh’s park system to excellence and completed 22 major improvement projects. Currently active in 22 of the city's 165 park sites, the Parks Conservancy has expanded into community and neighborhood parks throughout Pittsburgh. The Conservancy is committed to improving the quality of life for the people of Pittsburgh by restoring the park system to excellence in partnership with government and the community. Projects and programs are conducted with respect for the environment, historic design, and the needs of our diverse region. Projects In addition to youth and adult programming, maintenance, fundraising, and a host of other activities on behalf of the parks, the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy works in close partnership with the City of Pittsburgh, other government entities, local foundations, and the community on major park improvement projects. To date, the Parks Conservancy has completed the following capital projects: · The Reynolds Street gatehouse entrance to Frick Park · The restoration of the Schenley Park Visitor Center · The creation of a babbling brook to dechlorinate wastewater from Highland Park's water filtration plant · The ecological restoration of the Phipps Run natural area in Schenley Park · The restoration of the Highland Park Entry Garden · The conversion of Schenley Plaza from a parking lot into the grand entrance to Schenley Park · The creation of a seasonal pools and wetland habitat along Highland Park's Washington Boulevard · The ecological restoration of the Panther Hollow Watershed in Schenley Park · The restoration of the Riverview Park Chapel Shelter and its surrounding landscape · The restoration