At the end of 2024, the Parks Foundation is saying goodbye to our longtime Institutional Giving and Project Manager, Barb Brewton. Since Barb and her work have made such an impact on this organization’s growth, we have invited her to sit down and share some of her highlights from working at the Parks Foundation. As Barb prepares to retire, please join us in celebrating her accomplishments and wishing her a happy retirement!

Barb’s Journey to the Parks Foundation

1. What inspired you to join this organization, and how did you first get involved? I came to love the outdoors as a child during camping trips with my family. In college, I majored in environmental science and during summers, I worked at the Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority that included a stint as a park ranger. I was entering the last decade of my career and thought it might be the right opportunity to make a move. Fortuitously, I asked Caren Glotfelty to meet for coffee. She had just been hired as the Executive Director of the Parks Foundation and was looking for a fundraiser and project manager. I jumped on the opportunity.
2. What were some of your earliest memories or experiences here? My early months at the Parks Foundation were the steepest learning curve of my career. I was constantly learning about the parks, the people, the projects and Allegheny County. I jumped into planning events to celebrate the completion of two major projects: South Park Fairgrounds Oval improvements and the North Park Lake Trail improvements along Ingomar Road. Those were our first big accomplishments, so I wanted them to showcase not only the projects, but also our excellence as an organization. And then, Caren and I, with our outstanding Board of Directors, had to build the fundraising capacity that could support and sustain the great work of the Foundation.
3. How has the organization evolved during your time with us? Our ability to develop and implement projects has exploded. Our staff has an extremely knowledgeable, combined skill set in project management and fundraising. Everyone has a deep commitment to giving their best to the organization and to supporting each other. This is the best team I have ever worked with in my career! I am so grateful to close out my career at the Allegheny County Parks Foundation.

Reflecting on Impact

1. What are some of the accomplishments you’re most proud of? Early on, Caren Glotfelty suggested that we conduct ecological assessments and action plans for each of the 9 County Parks. Through the help of many funders, our team, the county and countless others, we are nearing completion of that effort. We’ve implemented many action items that have improved the parks environment including planting over 5,000 trees and shrubs and 42 acres of meadows. There is plenty more work to be done, but so far the combined total value of this initiative exceeds $1.2 million. I am really proud of this accomplishment. The second project that comes to mind is the restoration of the South Park Cascades. I had heard stories and seen pictures of people enjoying the Cascades decades earlier. I remember walking around the area before any work had started and seeing the old stonework that had been overrun with weeds. I was really happy to have helped raise funds for the project and to see it restored to its former beauty.
2. Can you share a favorite project or initiative you worked on? Our first completed ecological assessment and action plan was at Boyce Park. One of the first action items was to take a six-acre hillside and convert it from mowed turf to native species meadow. I was lucky to be the project manager and help guide the transformation. Today, visitors can walk the mowed paths to immerse themselves in this special place.  During the growing season, you can hear the sound of bees and watch butterflies visit flower after flower.
3. Who or what has inspired you the most throughout your career here? That’s a really tough question. I have had the gift of working with really talented, smart and committed people who pushed me to excel. But at the end of the day, I believe that nature has inspired me most throughout my career. Planting a tree is so satisfying and reminds me why I do what I do.

Personal Insights

1. What have been the biggest lessons you’ve learned during your time with the organization? I had to learn how to juggle so many balls at one time, while simultaneously reaching beyond my comfort zone to raise money and manage projects. There were mistakes along the way that I had to grapple with. But thankfully, I always had the support of our leadership and my colleagues.
2. How do you hope to see the work you’ve contributed to continue or grow in the future? I hope to see the continued emphasis on ecological restoration of the parks. There are many more trees and meadows to plant and acres to restore.
3. What advice would you give to the next generation of team members? Advice I received early on at the Parks Foundation was to “take the back staircase.” Recognize everyone behind every success and every effort. Thank them and thank each other. We all like to be valued and appreciated for our efforts. I believe caring for each other is the most important job we have. After that, let’s enjoy getting the work done.

Looking Ahead

1. What are you most looking forward to in retirement? Spending time with my family and beautiful grandchildren. Continuing to tend my little plot of land in urban Oakland, stuffing it with native plants and becoming a certified backyard habitat with Audubon. Volunteering. Resting.
2. Do you have any plans to stay involved with the organization or the causes it supports? I will always have my hands in the dirt somewhere.
3. How would you like to be remembered by your coworkers and the community? As someone who was encouraging and kind, who worked hard and made a lasting impact on the parks.

Thank You, Barb!