Legislation

Three Rivers Heritage Trail Survey

Friends of the Riverfront and Fourth Economy are conducting an economic impact study for the Three Rivers Heritage Trail and they need survey data from trail users. The survey only takes six minutes, and you could win a $50 gift card. 

The Three Rivers Heritage Trail spans 33 miles throughout Allegheny County, running along the banks of the Allegheny, Monongahela, and Ohio Rivers and provides access to Pittsburgh neighborhoods, river town business districts, and local attractions. The survey provides valuable data on how people use the trail which in turn shapes future trail improvement plans and documents its value and impact. Your responses are needed to support and enhance this vital resource for the Pittsburgh region!

You can complete the survey at Trail Impact Survey | Friends of the Riverfront.

August North Park Events

Looking for outdoor fun this month? Check out what the Allegheny County Parks have to offer!

Picnic for the Parks 
Caren Glotfelty Meadow, Heartwood Acres, Saturday, August 19, 2023, 6:30 - 10:00 PM

Tickets are on sale now for this popular night of fun, live music, food, and drinks. Proceeds benefit all nine Allegheny County Parks! For details and tickets click HERE.

Jam Fest 
North Park Basketball Courts, Saturday, August 12, 2023, 10:00 AM-5:00 PM

Jamfest is a 3v3 basketball tournament open to anyone Grade 3 - Adults. All proceeds benefit Folds of Honor’s educational scholarship fund. Come out to enjoy some hoops (competitive division is available) DJ music and a variety of food trucks. Registration closes Sunday, August 6. Register your team HERE.

Mark your Calendars for Park ‘Til Dark and Pour at the Park 
North Park, Saturday, October 14, 2023, 7:30am - 8:30pm

Registration and ticket sales open August 28th

Park ’Til Dark is a day of engaging activities like yoga, bicycling, ranger-led tours, birdwatching, kayaking, tree plantings and more. The Pour at the Park event is ticketed and features regional brews and bites. Both events are family-friendly and have a children’s fun-zone and live, local music. Registration opens August 28 and is required for both events. Register HERE.

August Allegheny County Park Ranger Activities

Our Allegheny County Park Rangers have lots of activities planned for August. Take your pick from the list below and register HERE!

Explore: Stream Study August 8, 1:00-2:30 pm North Park Explore the Environmental Learning Center Every Sunday in August, 1:00-3:00 pm Harrison Hills Park Guided Hike: Seeds and Spores August 19, 9:00-11:00 am Harrison Hills Park August 20, 9:00-11:00 am Deer Lakes Park Guided Walk: Sculpture Garden August 23, 6:00-7:00 pm Hartwood Acres

Junior Ranger: Senses in Nature August 17, 4:30-5:30 pm North Park Park After Dark: Bats & Owls August 5, 7:00-9:00 pm Harrison Hills Park August 6, 7:00-9:00 pm Deer Lakes Park Perseid Meteor Shower Viewing August 12, 9:00-11:00 pm Hartwood Acres Volunteer: Invasive Plant Removal August 26, 9:00 am - 12:00 pm Harrison Hills

Heartwood Acres Summer Concerts

There is still plenty of time to enjoy one of the four remaining free outdoor concerts at Heartwood Acres this summer! For details go to www.alleghenycounty.us/special-events/summer-concerts.aspx.

August 6	Soccer Mommy with Disq [Alternative]
August 13	Los Amigos Invisibles with Stone Throwers [Latin]
August 20	Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre
August 27	John Scofield with Jason Kush [Jazz]

Summer Outdoor Safety

Hot Weather Safety

Our weather has been extremely hot and humid over the past few weeks and in the month of August, we will probably have more of the same. Be prepared for the heat by staying cool with the following tips from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC):

• Stay in an air-conditioned location as much as possible.
• Drink plenty of fluids, even if you do not feel thirsty.
• Take several breaks from the heat, especially midday when the sun is hottest.
• Wear loose, lightweight, light-colored clothing, and sunscreen. Remember that you should reapply sunscreen as indicated on the package.
• Take cool showers or baths to cool down.
• Check on friends or neighbors during extremely hot days and have someone do the same for you.
• Never leave children or pets in cars.
• Know the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke and take immediate action for both. 

Don’t forget your pets! Keep your furry friends safe and cool with these tips.

• The best way to treat pets for heat stroke is to prevent it.
• Don't leave pets unattended in a car, even if only for a few minutes.
• Avoid strenuously exercising your pet when the sun is strongest (10am-3pm),
• Provide your pet access to clean, fresh drinking water at all times.
• If you see an animal in distress, call 911.

For more pet hot weather tips visit Hot Weather Safety Tips | ASPCA.

Summer Pests

Summer outdoor activities mean encounters with the insect world. While most insects are beneficial, there are three outliers we should look out for and take appropriate actions when we encounter them.

Spotted Lantern Flies

Spotted Lantern Flies have hatched and they're in their adult stage. These insects are pretty to look at, but these pesky, invasive flies do damage to our local trees, agricultural products, and other flora. If you see them, smash them! Each spotted lantern fly stomped helps prevent 30-60 from hatching next year and helps protect our Pennsylvania plant life.

After you smash it, report sightings of Spotted Lantern Flies at Spotted Lanternfly (pa.gov), or call 1-888-4BAD-FLY (1-888-422-3359). These reports are logged and used to notify the appropriate State or Federal agencies working to control this invasive species.  

Ticks

We all look forward to enjoying nature in the summer, but there is a risk of getting a tick bite any time you are outside, including your own yard. You are at higher risk in wooded and bushy areas and areas with high grass and leaf litter. Ticks carry pathogens like Lyme Disease that can make people very ill. To reduce your chances of a tick bite:

• Walk in the center of trails.
• Use a repellent that contains at least 20% DEET.
• Wear light-colored clothing.
• Conduct full-body tick checks on you and your pets after spending time outdoors.
• After returning home, remove all clothing, take a shower, & place clothing into the dryer on high heat to kill any lingering ticks. Examine gear such as backpacks for ticks.
• If a tick is found attached to your skin, use tweezers to remove it carefully, including the head.

Get information on common ticks in PA, the diseases they cause, and how to prevent bites at Ticks (pa.gov).

Mosquitos

Mosquitos not only produce itchy bites, but they can carry diseases like West Nile Virus. You can prevent “growing mosquitos” near your home by eliminating common sources of standing water:

• Recycling containers should have drainage holes.
• Clean roof gutters annually.
• Turn over wading pools and wheelbarrows.
• Change birdbath water regularly or install an aerator.
• Aerate ornamental pools or stock with fish.

For more information on mosquito control and monitoring in Pennsylvania go to Mosquitoes (pa.gov).

Free Admission to Pittsburgh Museums in August

It is August and that means there is free admission all month at The Andy Warhol Museum, Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh and the Heinz History Center for all visitors every operating day!

All three museums recently won top spots in the USA TODAY 10 Best Readers' Choice Awards:

• The Warhol (4^th in Best Art Museums)
• Heinz History Center (2^nd in Best History Museums)
• Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh (2^nd in Best Children’s Museums)

Pittsburgh was the only city to have three different museums in the top five, and all are supported by annual operating grants from the Allegheny Regional Asset District (RAD). 

For more information and to book tickets, visit  3 For Free | Allegheny Regional Asset District (radworkshere.org).