2008 International Urban Parks Conference Tours
Monday, September 22
Please note that registration is required for all tours, and an additional fee applies to some tours. See our registration page for details.
Point State Park: Landscape History
7:30 - 8:30 a.m.
Immediately adjacent to the conference hotel, Point State Park forms the tip of Pittsburgh’s Golden Triangle. A National Historic Landmark, the park commemorates the strategic heritage of the area during the French and Indian War.
Originally designed by Ralph Griswold, Point State Park was a centerpiece of the early renaissance of Pittsburgh. Point State park underwent further restoration under the direction of Simonds and Simonds. Today landscape architect Marion Pressley is overseeing renovations which include a new lawn, new irrigation, drainage and electrical systems, pathways, landscaping, benches and lighting, vendor hookups, new state, and renovations to the reflecting pool.
The tour is led by landscape architect Marion Pressley, FASLA, Principal of Pressley Associates. She manages the major historic renovation projects at four of Frederick Law Olmsted’s Emerald Necklace parks. She prepared the master plan for the $35 million renovation of Point State Park in 2007. Pressley examines the park’s historic fabric and concepts guiding its restoration.
Point State Park: Management Issues
7:30 - 8:30 a.m.
This tour examines how Point State Park managers have juggled the competing demands of historic preservation, community access and environmental sustainability at the park.
Point State Park: Cultural History
7:30 - 8:30 a.m.
This tour examines the Point’s history from pre-revolutionary garrison through 20th century Renaissance with consideration of how historical issues have shaped parks restoration. Tour leaders include Doug MacGregor, Education Director of the Fort Pitt Museum.
Conference on the Move
7:30 - 8:30 a.m.
Join other conference attendees on an early bird walk through Point State Park and the surrounding area. A fitness expert leads a one-hour walk and provides a framework for developing a parks-based walking program for participants. The guide helps introduce participants to innovative strategies for engaging people in regular walking programs.
Ride the Rivers: Pittsburgh's Waterfront Transformation
12:30 - 2:30 p.m.
Hop aboard one of the grand boats in the Gateway Clipper fleet for a two-hour boat ride along Pittsburgh’s Three Rivers. From this unique vantage point, participants will learn about Pittsburgh’s riverfront transformation, featuring Pittsburgh’s North Shore Park, Allegheny Riverfront Park, Station Square, the South Side Works, Herr’s Island/Washington’s Landing, and Nine Mile Run. The tour boat is equipped with a public address system making commentary possible throughout the cruise.
A sit-down lunch is included. Requirements: Walking (10 minutes) to boat launch, steps if viewing river from upper level. Attire: Walking shoes, jacket.
Pittsburgh Cultural Trust Projects and Downtown Redevelopment
12:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
For more than 20 years the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, both an arts agency and a real estate and economic development catalyst, has been breathing new life into downtown Pittsburgh. The walking tour will feature three of the Trust’s recent projects in Pittsburgh’s Golden Triangle: Michael Van Valkenburgh’s Allegheny Riverfront Park; Katz Plaza, a collaboration between artists Louise Bourgeois, landscape architect Daniel Urban Kiley and architect Michael Graves; and RiverParc, currently under construction. The $460 million project will be the country's first master-planned "green," mixed-use, arts/residential neighborhood, providing approximately 700 new residential units and 9,200 jobs for the region.
A sit-down lunch is included, following remarks by Kevin McMahon, President and CEO of Pittsburgh Cultural Trust. Requirements: Walking, steps boarding bus and possibly within tour. Attire: Walking shoes, jacket.
Tuesday, September 23
Point State Park: Landscape History
7:30 - 8:30 a.m.
Immediately adjacent to the conference hotel, Point State Park forms the tip of Pittsburgh’s Golden Triangle. A National Historic Landmark, the park commemorates the strategic heritage of the area during the French and Indian War.
Originally designed by Ralph Griswold, Point State Park was a centerpiece of the early renaissance of Pittsburgh. Point State park underwent further restoration under the direction of Simonds and Simonds. Today landscape architect Marion Pressley is overseeing renovations which include a new lawn, new irrigation, drainage and electrical systems, pathways, landscaping, benches and lighting, vendor hookups, new state, and renovations to the reflecting pool.
The tour is led by landscape architect Marion Pressley, FASLA, Principal of Pressley Associates. She manages the major historic renovation projects at four of Frederick Law Olmsted’s Emerald Necklace parks. She prepared the master plan for the $35 million renovation of Point State Park in 2007. Pressley examines the park’s historic fabric and concepts guiding its restoration.
Point State Park: Management Issues
7:30 - 8:30 a.m.
This tour examines how Point State Park managers have juggled the competing demands of historic preservation, community access and environmental sustainability at the park.
Point State Park: Cultural History
7:30 - 8:30 a.m.
This tour examines the Point’s history from pre-revolutionary garrison through 20th century Renaissance with consideration of how historical issues have shaped parks restoration. Tour leaders include Doug MacGregor, Education Director of the Fort Pitt Museum.
Conference on the Move
7:30 - 8:30 a.m.
Join other conference attendees on an early bird walk through Point State Park and the surrounding area. A fitness expert leads a one-hour walk and provides a framework for developing a parks-based walking program for participants. The guide helps introduce participants to innovative strategies for engaging people in regular walking programs.
