 City of Pittsburgh and Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy Celebrate Opening of New McKinley Park Community Grove
New gathering space transforms historic Chicken Hill site into a welcoming destination for recreation, learning, and community connection
Pittsburgh, PA – The City of Pittsburgh and Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy today celebrated the opening of the new McKinley Park Community Grove, marking the completion of a nearly $700,000 investment in a historic neighborhood gathering space in one of Pittsburgh’s oldest parks.
Neighbors, community partners, and park supporters gathered for a ribbon-cutting celebration at the Community Grove, located in the Chicken Hill section of McKinley Park just below Michigan Street.
Once home to a beloved, resident-built baseball field, the site has been transformed into a flexible, nature-based gathering space designed for recreation, education, and community connection while honoring the history and character of the neighborhood.
"Our community parks are important places that bring families and neighbors together to enjoy, play and connect," said Mayor O'Connor. "The new Community Grove at McKinley Park is a great community-driven project that honors the history of the park while creating new opportunities for future generations. Thanks to the community and the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy for their partnership on this investment at McKinley."
Serving the Hilltop neighborhoods of Beltzhoover, Allentown, Knoxville, Bon Air, and surrounding communities, McKinley Park has long been an essential neighborhood green space. The Community Grove represents another significant step in the park’s ongoing revitalization following the adoption of the McKinley Park Master Plan in 2016.
“I’m so thankful to see this investment come to life, especially because it was driven every step of the way by the people who actually live here,” said Bob Charland, District 3, Pittsburgh City Councilman. “McKinley Park is one of Pittsburgh’s oldest parks, and its history means a lot to this neighborhood. For years, when Beltzhoover and Knoxville residents weren't welcomed or comfortable at other parks, Chicken Hill was their place. It was a site built by neighbors, for neighbors. The new Community Grove honors that history and brings back a natural gathering spot where our community can come together once again.”
Developed in close collaboration with residents and community partners—including the Beltzhoover Consensus Group, Knoxville Community Council, Voices Against Violence, and Hilltop Alliance—the project reflects years of community input and a shared vision for the future of the park.
“The Community Grove has always been about creating a space that reflects the people who know and love McKinley Park,” said Catherine Qureshi, President and CEO of the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy. “From the beginning, neighbors helped shape the vision for what this place could become. Today, we get to celebrate that vision becoming a reality and open a space where neighbors can gather, learn, play, and make new memories together.”
The completed Community Grove includes:
- A 20-foot hexagonal shade pavilion and surrounding seat wall for community gatherings
- Open lawn space for recreation and neighborhood use
- A dedicated outdoor learning area for education and small-group programming
- Improved trail connections, stairs, and pathways
- Stormwater and drainage improvements to reduce erosion and improve the long-term usability of the site
- Expanded ecological restoration areas
- Preserved historic baseball backstop posts honoring the site’s past and offering an opportunity for future community-led art
While the Community Grove is officially open, its landscape will continue to evolve. Spring 2027 will bring seasonal growth and blooms, adding color and wildlife habitat as the landscape matures.
Funding for the project was provided in part through the City of Pittsburgh Parks Tax Trust Fund, with additional support from the Henry L. Hillman Foundation, Pennsylvania American Water, and the American Water Charitable Foundation.
"Neighborhood parks like McKinley are an indispensable part of what makes Pittsburgh a great city,” said David Roger, president of Henry L. Hillman Foundation. “We know that parks give neighborhoods their character and charm and McKinley offers something for everyone in the Hilltop. We especially liked that the new Community Grove was developed in response to neighborhood input. It's going to be a terrific and much-used new feature."
The Community Grove builds upon broader investments in McKinley Park, including improvements to approximately 1.5 miles of trails throughout the park, helping create stronger connections between park destinations and surrounding neighborhoods.
To learn more about the project, visit https://pittsburghparks.org/mckinley-park-community-grove/ or https://engage.pittsburghpa.gov/mckinley-park-community-grove.
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