It’s time for the historic Schenley Park Visitors Center to get a refreshed look, and to make that happen, the facility will be closed until March 10.
The renovation upgrades will include a brighter interior with new flooring throughout the first floor, according to a Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy news release. New contemporary furniture, lounge chairs and redesigned counter space, including a new refrigerated display for food and drinks, are part of the nearly $80,000 project. Additionally, the single-person ground-floor restrooms will be converted into gender-neutral spaces, providing more accessibility on busy days. The facility is located at 101 Panther Hollow Road.
Other notable changes include the addition of a Visitors Center gift corner consisting of custom-designed postcards, magnets, puzzles and other souvenirs featuring new and historic images of Schenley Park. Books and gifts for park lovers and outdoor enthusiasts also will be available.
“This much-needed refresh gives us a unique opportunity to not only make the space more inviting but also more accessible to new generations of visitors,” Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy Director of Operations and Visitor Engagement Matthew D. Hileman said in the news release. “Spring is the season of renewal, and we can’t think of a more fitting time to unveil these exciting new changes that will bring with them expanding programs and educational opportunities.”
The Visitors Center was originally constructed as a park shelter in 1911. In 2002, the building was restored and repurposed as a visitors center. It marked the Park Conservancy’s second major restoration project, according to the news release. The once long-neglected structure was reimagined as a community space with a café, modern restroom facilities and the inclusion of educational programming while preserving its original medieval cottage design. Officials said in the news release this latest renovation builds on that legacy and will ensure that the Visitors Center will continue to meet the community’s evolving needs for years to come.
Funding for the project comes from the commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Commonwealth Financing Authority through the Gaming Economic Development Tourism Fund program and private funders.
“It’s a joy and an honor to be supporting the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy as they advance their mission of improving the lives of Pittsburghers through restoring our public parks,” State Sen. Jay Costa, D-Forest Hills, said in the news release. “As we go forward, I am excited to see the work come to fruition and invite more visitors to this new and improved space.”
State Rep. Dan Frankel, D-Squirrel Hill, said in the news release, “By helping to fund the creation of a welcoming, inclusive space for neighbors to gather indoors and out, these grants strengthen our communities. I look forward to watching this project come together, knowing that it will allow future generations to enjoy some of the same Pittsburgh treasures that I remember from my own childhood.”
A grand reopening date will be announced later. For updates and more information, visit pittsburghparks.org.
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