The planning process is complete! Please join PPC, the City of Pittsburgh, and our partners to celebrate the groundbreaking of the McKinley Park "Community Grove" on May 16th at 12pm. Free lunch and refreshments included!

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Thank you to everyone who attended the Development Activities Meeting on Thursday, October 16, 2025. Click the links below to see the meeting slides and official notes from the City of Pittsburgh.

The Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy hired Environmental Planning and Design (EPD), an award-winning landscape architecture and planning firm, to develop the preferred plan into construction and permitting documents. This is an important next step in the project process, moving the preferred plan that was developed in partnership with the community closer to construction.

Over the past year, the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy worked with community leaders and residents to develop a preferred plan for the 'Community Grove'. This planning effort was a comprehensive study of the elements that affect the usability of the project area and determined how this space can thrive and respond to community goals and needs. The proposed improvements identified in this plan are in direct response to the feedback provided by community members and stakeholders through an intimate engagement process.

The preferred plan includes:

• a modest lawn area and gathering space
• a small shelter space with seating
• expanded and enhanced ecological restoration areas
• improved trail connections
• refurbished existing backstop to preserve a piece of community history and providing an opportunity for art or signage to tell community stories

We want to thank all of the community members who participated in this process and shared their thoughts and ideas for the future of McKinley Park Community Grove!

PPC developed design concepts that responded directly to the community feedback we collected earlier in the year. The plans explored different options and strategies to meet community needs and goals. PPC presented the plans to the community for input and feedback.

Click on the images below to zoom in and explore the concept plans.

The Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy conducted a survey asking community members what thoughts or ideas they had for the project. Over 70 people responded to the survey and provided their input. 90% of the survey respondents are active users of McKinley Park, with almost half indicating they use McKinley Park at least weekly.

Below are the survey results, which were used to inform the concept designs.

The Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy, in partnership with the City of Pittsburgh, community organizations, and other key stakeholders will revitalize a key community asset in McKinley Park. Once the site of a community baseball field built by neighborhood residents, the space evokes a strong sense of pride and nostalgia for residents and park users, and has the potential to serve as a vibrant community space. The 'community grove' will aim to achieve the following goals:

• Provide a space for community programs, events, youth activation and advance goals identified by community organizations and park users.
• Balance original master plan recommendations while responding to recent site changes and current community needs.
• Address drainage issues, connections to other park spaces, and other challenges.
• Protect and enhance ongoing ecological restoration efforts.
• Create a space that is constructible, durable, and easily maintained.

As one of the largest and oldest City community parks, community participation is critical, and we need your feedback to develop the best outcome possible for the 'community grove'.