Summer may be winding to an end, but those early days of fall are still perfect for outdoor activities. And just in time, Pittsburgh has launched a website to provide all sorts of information about public parks, events, recreation and trails.
It’s a useful initiative, an effort to provide broad and easy-to-access information for outdoor enthusiasts — and maybe even a few couch potatoes.
The CitiParks.net website provides information about not only the five Allegheny Regional Asset District parks in the city — Emerald View, Frick, Highland, Riverview and Schenley — but 10 community parks, 150 neighborhood parks and riverfront parks.
The site includes listings of the various facilities available, event shelters, amenities and comprehensive trail maps — produced by the city’s Department of Innovation and Performance using GPS mapping.
As a one-stop site for information about outdoor activities in the city, there’s also information about swimming pools, sports fields, park histories, recreation centers and special events.
And wisely, the site also provides links to information on a variety of topics that can be useful for residents as well as visitors. There are links to various city commissions and boards, visitor websites and online apps. In short, it’s a resource for everything from hiking trails and tennis court locations to how to pay a parking ticket or contact the mayor’s office.
The city made the creation of the website a collaborative effort, combining the talents of workers in various departments: parks and recreation, public works, innovation and performance, and the mayor’s office.
Mayor Bill Peduto said in a statement that the city saw a need to provide easy access to information about recreational opportunities. “Now, we’re able to provide the people of Pittsburgh with a place to learn about their parks like never before,” he said.
Recreation plays a huge role in making the city attractive to residents and visitors. The CitiParks website offers a convenient way to explore offerings throughout the city and to plan some outdoor adventures.
First Published: August 21, 2021, 4:00 a.m.