Flagstaff Hill is one of Schenley Park’s most iconic landscapes and a beloved gathering place for recreation, events, and citywide traditions. Over time, its heavily used pathways, steep slopes, and aging infrastructure have created challenges for park users.

The Flagstaff Hill Pathways and Entrance Improvement Project will restore and enhance this important civic space while maintaining the open, historic character that makes it special. Led by the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy, in partnership with the City of Pittsburgh and Carnegie Mellon University, the project focuses on four key goals:

• Renovate Flagstaff Hill: Restore deteriorated pathways, address erosion, and implement sustainable stormwater improvements, including the addition of a new rain garden near the gazebo area to manage runoff and support pollinator habitats.
• Enhance Amenities: Create a new gathering space, renovate the existing gathering space by Schenley Drive, and introduce a new stairway from Frew Street into the Park.
• Improve Connections: Strengthen pedestrian access between Schenley Drive, Frew Street, Tech Street, and the CMU campus and linking together open spaces for the public.
• Maintain Historical Character: Protect mature trees, preserve views, and retain the open lawn experience that defines Flagstaff Hill.

These improvements will make the park safer, more connected, and more resilient, ensuring that Flagstaff Hill continues to serve as a welcoming and vibrant space for all Pittsburghers for generations to come.

The Squirrel Hill Urban Coalition (SHUC) and Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy hosted a Development Activities Meeting on October 6, 2025, to present the project and get public feedback. Department of City Planning Neighborhood Planner, Christian Umbach, commented that Development Activities Meeting was well received, and that the community is supportive of this project.

A recording of the DAM meeting can be found here.
Passcode: 1eeT3.m8

Feel free to reach out to Hayden Bernhardt with any questions regarding the project.
hbernhardt@pittsburghparks.org, (412) 770-8024

In 2024, PPC partnered with CMU to develop a schematic design plan that focused on improving access, safety, and sustainability across Flagstaff Hill while maintaining its open, historic character.

Key project elements include improved pathways that strengthen connections throughout the park, enhanced access through new and upgraded stairs, overlooks, and entry points, and safer intersections with upgraded sidewalks, crosswalks, and curb ramps to support accessibility and safety. The project also emphasizes tree and landscape care through the preservation of existing trees, selective pruning, and new plantings that enhance the park’s canopy and overall ecology.

During the design development phase, GAI Consultants were brought on to lead the design. Furthering the refinement of pathway alignments and widths to better accommodate both everyday park users and maintenance needs. Pathways are being designed at varying widths to support comfortable pedestrian circulation while allowing access for maintenance and emergency vehicles where needed.

In addition, a new rain garden is being developed to manage stormwater more sustainably, capture runoff from nearby pathways, and support native plantings that enhance the ecological character of the site. These refinements will help balance connectivity, durability, and the preservation of Flagstaff Hill’s natural landscape.

The design team is in the process of finalizing construction plans and details and moving the project through the permitting process. Construction is anticipated to begin in 2026.