The Garden Waiver Program encourages the reuse of City-owned vacant lots. The program is exclusive to a person or pair of persons that want to garden or simply clean up a city-owned lot that's not currently for sale for their own personal purposes. Through this program, individuals can obtain a garden waiver, free of charge, through the City's Real Estate Division, giving them the ability to go onto City owned property and maintain the land while the City still takes on the liability for the parcel.
Contact: City's Real Estate Division (412-255-2300)
Because of the City's topography and its wealth of sloped and undermined land, a process was created to designate parcels of vacant land as permanent green space. Greenways protect natural, cultural and scenic resources, provide recreational benefits, enhance the natural beauty and quality of life in neighborhoods and communities, and stimulate economic development. The Department of City Planning works with the Real Estate Department to acquire properties and designate them as greenways. The Mayor's administration has embraced the improvement and expansion of current green space as an effective economic development strategy. Tax delinquent parcels and vacant land adjacent to greenways or proposed greenways are acquired by the City through the Treasurer's Sale and put into this process.
Contact: City's Real Estate Division (412-255-2300)
The City of Pittsburgh is undertaking an Open Space, Parks and Recreation Plan. This Plan is a joint effort between the Department of City Planning and CitiParks, and is the initial component of PLANPGH
, the City of Pittsburgh's first Comprehensive Plan. The Plan will address issues of ownership, management, maintenance and connectivity of Pittsburgh's open space systems. It will provide the City a clear direction in land use and infrastructure by identifying the best use of Pittsburgh's vacant, green, and recreational and their associated programming.
The Plan is being led by a management committee of City, non-profit, neighborhood, and foundation representatives.
To learn more or get engaged in the Open Space Plan, please visit PLANPGH.
The Open Space Neighborhood Advisory Panel (OSNAP) is a joint effort of the Mayor's Office, the Department of City Planning, City Real Estate and the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) to assist in the improvement of existing open space throughout the City. In response to a variety of issues facing the City and the benefits of high-quality open space within neighborhoods, this team was assembled to assist, evaluate and facilitate open space projects taking place on City and URA owned properties.
To date, projects reviewed have included Green Up sites, passive open space expansions through the City's Greenways program, and community gardens and urban agriculture sites.
Contact: Lena Andrews (412-255-6439 or landrews@ura.org)
If your house borders a publicly owned vacant lot, you are able to purchase the lot for $250, increasing your own property value and reducing blight in your neighborhood. The City of Pittsburgh, in cooperation with City Source Associates, offers a low-cost minimum way to purchase that lot and make it your own.
Contact: City's Real Estate Division (412-255-2300)
Responding to an alarming trend of the loss of trees in Pennsylvania's metropolitan areas, TreeVitalize is a public-private partnership to help restore tree cover, educate citizens about planting trees as an act of caring for our environment, and build capacity among local governments to understand, protect and restore their urban trees. Through the program, groups may apply to receive free trees and resources to have a successful planting.
Contact: Lisa Ceoffe
Urban Forester
412-393-0154
Lisa.Ceoffe@City.pittsburgh.pa.us
For more information on questions about the Green Up Pittsburgh Program, please contact:
Christie Berger
Neighborhood Initiatives Coordinator
412-255-8680
Christine.Berger@city.pittsburgh.pa.us
