Yes, fall has arrived, and as the weather finally cools down, the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy has packed many unique events and programs into its events calendar to celebrate it and the spooky season.
Families can head over to Schenley Plaza on Sunday and then on Oct. 19 for the final Family Day events of the season, according to a conservancy news release. The Family Day Fall Festival and Halloween Spooktacular will feature free carousel rides, special guest appearances by ghoulish guests, and an opportunity for people to show off their Halloween costumes.
The Pittsburgh Plein Air Collective’s art exhibit at the Frick Environmental Center, “Frick Park & Nature’s Palette,” features paintings created in the park that capture its natural beauty, according to the news release. It will be on view through the end of November.
Riverview Park Day is set for Oct. 5. The annual community gathering raises funds for the park in partnership with the city of Pittsburgh, Friends of Riverview Park and The Northside Leadership Conference. Visitors can expect live music, food vendors and a variety of interactive activities from a lineup of community partners.
Families can welcome fall with the Community Campfire in Frick Park’s hollow on Oct. 18, roasting marshmallows while listening to the sounds of Northside Organ Trio. The evening also includes pumpkin painting and lawn games.
This season reptiles, amphibians and avian creatures will be the focus of some new activities. Herping 101, a crash course in herpetology, is at the Frick Environmental Center this Saturday, with registration required. A new Reptile Rendezvous series at the Schenley Park Visitor Center started this month with other dates to be announced, according to the program guide.
Birdwatchers can get a sneak peek of the bird banding operations underway in Hays Woods Park, in collaboration with Bird Lab, and explore the flora and fauna of the same park with monthly trail tours. Trail tours are set for this Saturday and Oct. 25 from 10 a.m. until noon and noon to 2 p.m. Nov. 25, led by naturalist educator Steve Bucklin.
The conservancy is teaming up with Pittsburgh Park Rangers to bring guests Creatures of the Night Fall Hikes in Schenley Park, where participants will learn to spot the animals that come out after dark.
Forest Bathing continues throughout various parks, including Frick, Riverview and Allegheny Commons. Registration is required. Most take place during the day, but an evening session is set for Oct. 18 at Frick Park.
Yoga in the Park, in collaboration with Three Rivers Outdoor Co., happens every Thursday from 6 to 7 p.m. in Schenley Plaza. Just bring a mat; the program is free.
Stewardship Days, allowing volunteers opportunities to care for their parks, will continue for part of the season, including the introduction of Frick Park Stewardship Days, the release stated.
Fees are charged for some of the programs and events, according to the program guide, which is available online and can be downloaded.
To view the entire programming calendar and register for select events, visit pittsburghparks.org/events/.
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