THE SCHENLEY PARK VISITOR CENTER REOPENS WITH NEW FLOORING, OTHER IMPROVEMENTS. | COURTESY THE PITTSBURGH PARKS CONSERVANCY

The reopening this week of the Schenley Park Visitor Center after a $100,000 renovation is the latest advancement underway as the Pittsburgh Parts Conservancy prepares to celebrate its 30th anniversary next year.

The nonprofit, which recently released a five-year strategic plan that will serve as a blueprint for its future, also looks forward to the grand opening on May 15 of its outdoor discovery space and sensory nature trail at the Frick Environmental Center in Squirrel Hill.

The visitor center, which is right across the street from Phipps Conservancy and Botanical Gardens at 101 Panther Hollow Road in Oakland, will be open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. during spring and summer months. It was originally constructed in 1911 as a park shelter and was last revitalized in 2002 as the Parks Conservancy’s second major restoration project.

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE PITTSBURGH PARKS CONSERVANCY

Now 23 years later, it has received new flooring throughout the first floor, new lounge furniture and redesigned counter space. And the single-person ground-floor restrooms were converted to gender neutral facilities for increased accessibility.

Seasonal programming also is planned. Tabletop Tuesday Gaming Happy Hour, for example, encourages gamers 16 and older to bring their own board games, card games or role-playing games to the center, where they also can have $2 snacks and bottled drinks.

A new refrigerated display case offers food and beverages to visitors; there also will be freshly made drip coffee available. In addition, visitors can shop at a gift corner that offers custom-designed postcards, magnets, puzzles and other souvenirs displaying historical and modern Schenley Park images and other notable green spaces.

RENOVATED CONCESSION AREA OFFERS DRIP COFFEE, BOTTLED DRINKS AND SNACKS. | PHOTO COURTESY THE PITTSBURGH PARKS CONSERVANCY

In Frick Park, the Outdoor Discovery Space and Sensory Nature Trail is the first of its kind in Pittsburgh, conservancy President and CEO Catherine Qureshi says.

The 3-acre space includes the accessible trail, which is one third of a mile long and leads visitors through the discovery space. It will include stations that promote nature-based learning with the use of one’s senses.

CONCEPTUAL PLAN SHOWING SHELTER SPACE WITH ACCESSIBLE TABLES AND CHAIRS AND ACTIVITY AREA IN THE BACKGROUND. | COURTESY PITTSBURGH PARKS CONSERVANCY

The Parks Conservancy, its website said, plans to use the space to develop more environmental education programs with new organizations and schools that consider the needs of learners with exceptionalities and disabilities, which is in alignment with its five-year plan.

The conservancy has outlined four main goals are outlined in the conservancy’s plan, which include stewarding a park’s vision, expanding education programs, ensuring environmental conservation and creating sustainable structures.

Since its inception in 1996, the nonprofit has raised more than $150 million and completed 24 major park improvement projects throughout Pittsburgh’s city parks.

RENDERING ON CONCEPTUAL PLANS FOR BAXTER PARK IN HOMEWOOD. | RENDERING BY LAQUATRA BONCI ASSOCIATES

Looking forward to future projects next year, Qureshi says that she is hopeful to begin construction at Baxter Park, at the corner of Braddock Avenue and Frankstown Road, in Homewood.

The conservancy is in the full design process to see what Baxter Park’s community wants improved there, she says, in terms of entertainment venues, trees for shade or splash pads.