| Style Examiner

Allegheny Commons Park was the backdrop for the annual PNC Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy Spring Hat Luncheon. Conservancy CEO Jayne Miller, greeted each guest as they arrived for the event. Beautifully dressed patrons sipped mimosas and strolled through the park, admiring the orchids, foliage, flowers, as well as the hats! The event was executed flawlessly due predominantly, to the work and attention of the Parks Conservancy Staff.

As fate would have it, I sat at the wrong table, not realizing it till I got home and looked at my name tag. I was treated to a wonderful lesson from Derris Jeffcoat of the Park's history. Once pasture land for Allegheny City, the park was established in the 1860s, with the original fountain built in 1868, recreated by the Parks Conservancy, from old photos.

The park's restoration was a longtime passion of Christine Schmidlapp, who was instrumental in creating the flower bed in Allegheny Commons. "I would walk a long hose across the street from my home to water the flowers." With the help of her husband Ellis, two daughters Emily and Jane, as well as neighbors, she planted, mulched and watered the flowers.

Ground crews worked tirelessly cutting the grass several times in just a few days, due to the rain. This park is a stunning tribute to what the Parks Conservancy actually accomplishes in the beautification and maintenance of our city and community parks.

This sell out event raised over $550,000 for the Parks Conservancy.