This year, our community came together twice to celebrate the beauty and importance of our county parks, once in the vibrant greens of spring and again among the golden hues of fall. Pour at the Park and Park ’til Dark events in South Park and North Park bookended our outdoor season, giving guests a chance to give back to the parks while enjoying local food and craft beverages, all while supporting projects that keep our parks thriving.

From the outside looking in, Pour at the Park might appear to be another fundraiser. But for us, and for so many who attend, it’s so much more than that. It’s an opportunity to spend time in the parks we love, surrounded by people who share that same appreciation for nearby trails, peaceful lakes and the rich history woven into these green spaces. Park ’til Dark adds another layer to this experience, bringing people together to plant trees and directly invest in the health and beauty of our parks for years to come.

Even this year, when we changed core aspects of each event to better respond to the needs and feedback from the community, the response was overwhelmingly positive. Guests embraced the new elements, showing once again that our parks are strengthened not just by trees and funds, but by the people who care for them.

What began as the first Pour at the Park in 2016 and the inaugural Park ’til Dark in 2022 have since evolved into beloved traditions — a chance to celebrate the impact we can make when we come together as a community. These events not only raise vital funds and plant trees for park improvement projects but also strengthen the bonds between park lovers, volunteers and neighbors who make our mission possible. The laughter, conversations and clinking stainless steel cups echo a shared purpose: caring for the parks that shape our lives.

South Park: Pour at the Park & Park ‘til Dark

In May, we kicked off the season in South Park with an unforgettable day of celebration, connection and impact. The day began with Park ’til Dark, where 27 volunteers planted 160 trees near the Cascades and Stone Manse. This hands-on effort helps close the park’s tree canopy gap and ensures South Park’s forest thrives with a diverse assortment of native trees.

Later, Pour at the Park brought together 380 guests to enjoy an evening filled with great music by The Brilliant Minds and The M80s, delicious food and beverages and the energy of a community united for the parks. Thanks to a dedicated Zero Waste effort, the event achieved an impressive 87% waste diversion rate, keeping 99 of 114 pounds of waste out of the landfill. Guests sampled offerings from 15 beverage vendors and 3 food vendors, with support from 18 generous sponsors, including Presenting Sponsor Flora Park, who made the event possible.

Between ticket sales, donations and the event raffle, we raised an incredible $40,300 to support conservation, restoration and improvement projects across Allegheny County’s nine parks. The combination of fun, music, perfect spring weather and impact made the day a perfect celebration of our community and the parks we all love.

North Park: Pour at the Park & Park ‘til Dark

In October, our community made a lasting environmental impact with Park ’til Dark, planting 100 trees near the Dek Hockey Rink with the help of 17 volunteers. Thanks to attendee contributions and funding by The Garden Club of Allegheny County, these trees will improve the park’s canopy, provide habitat for wildlife and enhance North Park for generations to come.

In the evening we celebrated the vibrant colors of fall with Pour at the Park in North Park, bringing together 264 attendees for an unforgettable day of merriment, music and community that raised $24,561 for your parks. Through a dedicated Zero Waste effort, the event achieved an 84.7% diversion rate, with more details to come soon in our final Zero Waste report. Attendees enjoyed live tunes from The Altered Egos, cozied up to a fire built by LL Bean and watched as Coach Dave led kids in games on the grass. The scene outside was full of energy, with music, tents, kids’ activities, food trucks and the warm glow of the fire creating a perfect autumn atmosphere.

Guests sampled offerings from 18 beverage vendors, 2 food vendors and 1 dessert vendor, with support from 13 generous sponsors, including Presenting Sponsor Peoples Gas, who helped make the event possible. The combination of fun, community and tangible environmental impact made North Park a perfect fall celebration of our shared love for the parks.

A Community that Grows Together

Across all these events, one thing was clear: our parks are loved by people who care deeply about their future. From sponsors and vendors to volunteers and guests, this growing community helps ensure that the Allegheny County Parks Foundation can continue to improve, conserve and restore these incredible public spaces for generations to come.

Thank you to everyone who made Pour at the Park and Park ’til Dark in 2025 such a success! We are especially grateful to all our volunteers, attendees and supporters who helped bring these events to life. A special thanks to our tasting cup sponsors, Mascaro Construction Company, who graciously provided stainless steel cups for everyone to take home at each event. We also extend our gratitude to Stewards of Beer for their invaluable help in planning and organizing both Pour at the Park events.

We can’t wait to raise a glass with you again next year! Be sure to save the dates for 2026, which will be May 16 in South Park and September 26 in North Park.

South Park Sponsors

Presenting: Flora Park Garden Center

Entertainment & Designated Driver Sponsor: The Lindy Group

Tasting Cup: Mascaro Construction Company

Park ’til Dark Sponsor: Peoples Natural Gas

Donte’s Pizza

Enscoe Long Insurance Group

Friends of South Park

Georges Supply Company

Paul J. Gitnik, J.D., LL.M

Green Mountain Energy Company

Greymist Metal Craft

Denise C Marasco – Howard Hanna

Omega Federal Credit Union

OTB Bicycle Cafe at Hastings

Renewal By Andersen of Greater Pittsburgh

Vibrant Pittsburgh

W.G. Tomko, Inc.

Zelenkofske Axelrod

North Park Sponsors

Presenting: Peoples Natural Gas

Designated Driver Sponsor: OTB Bicycle Cafe at the North Park Boathouse

Tasting Cup: Mascaro Construction Company

Park ’til Dark Sponsor: Public Lands

Enscoe Long Insurance Group

IBEW Local Union No. 5

Paul J. Gitnik, J.D., LL.M

Green Mountain Energy Company

MADabolic

Pashek + MTR

Renewal By Andersen of Greater Pittsburgh

Schell Games

Vibrant Pittsburgh

WesBanco

Zelenkofske Axelrod