Invitation from Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl

Dear Friends of Urban and Historic Parks:

 

On behalf of the residents of the City of Pittsburgh, I would like to invite you to America’s Most Livable City for the 2008 International Urban Parks Conference, Sept. 21-23. We are honored that Pittsburgh was chosen for your Body and Soul: Parks and the Health of Great Cities conference and look forward to hosting the hundreds of city parks leaders, administrators, advocates, design and preservation professionals, recreation specialists, historic property and parks managers, scholars, and municipal officials who make up the City Parks Alliance and the National Association for Olmsted Parks.  We are especially proud of the role our parks play in building a stronger, healthier and more livable Pittsburgh.

 

If your mental picture of Pittsburgh includes anything like soot, smoke or slagheaps, you’re in for a very pleasant surprise. Did you know:

  • Frommer’s Travel Guides selected Pittsburgh as one of the top 13 travel destinations for 2008.
  • Last year Places Rated Almanac named Pittsburgh America’s Most Livable City.
  • Pittsburgh was named one of North America’s Top 3 Cities of the Future by Foreign Direct Land Investment magazine (2007).
  • Expansion Management magazine named Pittsburgh the 9th best place to locate a company in America among mid-sized cities (2007).
  • Voters at America Style Magazine named Pittsburgh the Best Arts Destination in the Country.
  • Wired magazine listed Pittsburgh as one of the Top Ten Tech Cities (January 2007).
  • The Green Building Alliance named Pittsburgh the “greenest city in America” based on the number of Leadership in Environmental and Energy Design (LEED) rated commercial/industrial buildings and square-footage within the city limits. 

In addition, we have exceptional universities, medical facilities, and biotechnology companies all working to create new life-saving technologies. Ambitious revitalization projects are pumping life back into our Downtown area. Our Neighborhoods First campaign is in full swing, aimed at making our City one of the cleanest and safest in the country.

But don’t take it from me — come and see for yourself. One last thing: make sure to get down to the rivers. From colonial times to the present they have shaped our destiny. I encourage you to enjoy of the biking, walking, boating or kayak tours being offered through the conference that will connect you with our mighty three rivers. 

Sincerely,

 

Luke Ravenstahl
Mayor, City of Pittsburgh