PITTSBURGH, PA (September 3, 2021) – Carnegie Mellon University and the City of Pittsburgh have partnered to provide support for the rehabilitation of Four Mile Run playground in Greenfield and improvements at Lewis playground in Hazelwood, as part of the OnePGH community investment plan announced earlier this year by Mayor William Peduto.
Both playgrounds are located in highly-used areas near the Carnegie Mellon University campus and in need of improvements. CMU has stepped up to provide the funds to build a brand-new recreation area and enhance an existing playground for these two communities.
“Carnegie Mellon University is committed to enhancing quality of life for our community members and neighbors in Pittsburgh and Southwestern Pennsylvania,” said CMU President Farnam Jahanian. “This partnership to improve two beloved playgrounds close to our campus is both an expression of this university-wide commitment and an investment in Pittsburgh as a vibrant and family-friendly region. I look forward to seeing Four Mile Run Playground and Lewis Playground bring joy to children and families in Greenfield and Hazelwood for years to come.”
“I want to thank Carnegie Mellon for this investment, which is precisely the kind of partnership we envisioned with OnePGH — something that will benefit the city, the university and the community at large,” Mayor Peduto said.
While the new Four Mile Run playground is planned and fabricated, the Department of Public Works (DPW) will make short-term repairs to keep it safe and usable for children. DPW will then lead a community engagement process on the new design of the playground, including on the EngagePGH website.
"I want to thank Carnegie Mellon for stepping up to invest in the Greenfield and Hazelwood communities, and especially, the children of the neighborhoods. I also want to thank the Mayor's Office for developing partnerships such as these to create resources,” said City Councilman Corey O’Connor. "These will be safe spaces for families and young people to have fun, learn, and build community for years to come."
In late April Mayor Peduto released the OnePGH prospectus and website, which identifies areas of focus for participating institutions, including affordable housing, the Office of Community Health and Safety, community engagement centers, workforce development, Rec2Tech, green infrastructure and parks. After the playground rehabilitations and improvements have been designed with DPW and the community, Carnegie Mellon will provide funding to the City, as approved by City Council to fund these playground enhancements.
