The Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy, the City of Pittsburgh, community organizations, and other key stakeholders will plan and design a fully inclusive Sensory Classroom geared towards learners of all abilities at the Frick Environmental Center (FEC). The project will create a series of different sensory experiences and teaching moments of various sizes and scales, organized along an accessible route that winds through the natural landscape at the FEC. The space will provide opportunities for structured learning, play, discovery, observation, and gathering. The Edith L. Trees Charitable Trust will be funding this planning and design process.

The estimated completion date for the design is July 1, 2023. To stay informed about upcoming public meetings and surveys, click the "follow" button at the top of this page to be notified of when there are updates to this project.

Project Updates

The design team is developing construction and permitting drawings for the Sensory Classroom project! Design work will continue through winter and spring, with construction tentatively scheduled to begin in early summer of 2024.

The plan renderings below show how the project has developed since the last round of community meetings! As we develop final construction drawings, there may be some minor changes or adjustments to the plans.


Project Archive

Preferred Concept Plan Presentation Recording


Initial Concepts Presentation Recording