Jan 09 Our 2025 Impact: A Year of Growth
As we look back on 2025, we are struck by the strength and resilience that grounded our work, sparked positive growth and carried our impact forward. Like strong roots beneath a thriving tree, the foundation we grew through years of planning, partnership and persistence supported a year of powerful momentum. That momentum came from major projects and milestones we were proud to advance, as well as countless smaller efforts that together made 2025 a truly significant year.
The year also brought meaningful change for the Allegheny County Parks Foundation. We honored the past while welcoming new leadership, partners and opportunities to move our work forward. We honored the legacy of longtime board member Tom Armstrong, whose leadership helped shape our work and whose passing marked a profound loss for our organization, and celebrated the retirement of longtime staff member Barb Brewton after years of dedicated service. At the same time, we welcomed new team members, celebrated promotions and transitioned board leadership. Together, these moments reflect an organization growing thoughtfully while keeping its mission, and the nine county parks, at the center of everything we do.
Major Milestones
Guided by our mission to improve, conserve and restore your nine county parks, we made substantial progress and meaningful impact, marked by four major milestones. Like the roots and trunk of a tree, these milestones represent the deep, foundational work that strengthens the entire park system and supports future projects, partnerships and possibilities as they grow.
A New Way to Experience Hartwood Acres Park
We proudly launched a free, self-guided audio tour for the Carol R. Brown Sculpture Garden, inviting visitors to experience the sculptures and the powerful stories behind them in a deeper, more personal way. This new offering in Hartwood Acres Park expands access to public art and is the first tour of its kind in any county park. In May, we celebrated this longstanding project with a kick-off event at the Mansion, followed by the release of a promotional video highlighting this must-see experience.
Understanding the Value of the Parks
In 2025, we conducted the first-ever Economic Impact Study for the county parks, a landmark project that demonstrates how county parks contribute to the local economy, public health, tourism, real estate values and overall quality of life. The study provides essential data to advocate for continued investment in parks and serves as a foundation for future research on the value of our park system.
Protecting Streams
We shared the results of the Stream Assessments for Boyce, North and South Parks, marking the conclusion of a three-year effort to study 23 streams across all nine Allegheny County Parks. These assessments complement our broader ecological work by examining stream chemistry, macroinvertebrate communities and physical conditions using standardized methods over a one-year period in each park. This comprehensive data now guides restoration priorities and supports long-term improvements to the ecological health of the parks’ waterways and riparian areas.
One Step Closer to a Comprehensive Ecological Understanding of the Parks
We secured funding for the ninth and final Ecological Assessment and Action Plan, for North Park. These comprehensive studies evaluate each park’s natural resources and ecological assets and recommend an implementation plan for improving the environment of the park. Once North Park’s plan is complete, every county park will have a roadmap to guide future conservation, restoration and land management efforts.
2025 Highlights
Alongside these large-scale initiatives, we worked on many smaller but deeply meaningful projects that collectively made a big impact across the region. These efforts function as the branches and leaves of a tree, extending from a strong foundation and strengthening the whole system as each contributes in its own way.
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- Seeded the Round Hill Park Upper Allée Meadow and examined a first-year meadow at Deer Lakes Park, continuing our commitment to long-term habitat restoration
- Announced the Latodami Nature Center Master Site Plan and Barn Feasibility Study, laying the groundwork for future improvements to this area of North Park
- Shared the Deer Lakes Park Ecological Assessment and Action Plan, our eighth science-based roadmap for project selection
- Announced the North Park Marshall Island Improvement Project, advancing restoration efforts and creating a safer recreational space for park users
- Completed work on the West Entrance of Settlers Cabin Park and announced an expansion of our Entrance Enhancements Project, with plans to improve the East Entrance in 2026
- Expanded our volunteer program by planting trees and removing invasive species in Boyce, Hartwood Acres, North, Settlers Cabin, South and White Oak Parks, and by completing Suffragist Grove beautification in Hartwood Acres
- Promoted volunteer efforts that support Purple Martins at Harrison Hills Park, highlighting the strength of our park community
- Supported Small Project Stewardship Program scout projects in Boyce, North and South Parks
- Continued improvements to Edgebrook Shelter in South Park, with completion planned for 2026
- Took the first steps toward updating the Paul Riis Trail, near the Vale of Cashmere in South Park
- Improved the parks by installing 13 benches with the help of generous donors
- Joined the Thrive Outside Initiative, strengthening our work to ensure parks are welcoming, accessible and engaging for all communities
- Introduced a new Park ’til Dark event structure, planting over 260 trees in North and South Parks
- Most successful year raising dollars through our annual Pour at the Park event, thanks to incredible support from attendees, sponsors and partners
- Returned to the Hartwood Acres Mansion for Twilight Picnic for the Parks for the first time in years, celebrating an enchanting evening in support of the parks amid many of the pieces in the Carol R. Brown Sculpture Garden.
Looking Ahead
2025 reaffirmed that growth is built through thoughtful change, strong partnerships and long-term vision. With deep roots in our mission and a growing network of people who care for these places, we look ahead with confidence and are ready for new ideas to take shape, new projects to emerge and future seasons of impact to unfold. As we step into a new year, we do so with gratitude for those who paved the way, excitement for those just joining us and confidence that together, we are building a stronger future for our parks. Thank you for being part of this journey!