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

Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy is revolutionizing Frick Park’s accessibility for visitors with disabilities with a new Outdoor Sensory Classroom and Nature Play Trail, slated to open this fall. 

Nestled amidst lush greenery behind the Frick Environmental Center on Beechwood Boulevard in Squirrel Hill, this innovative space aims to offer a blend of tactile, auditory and visual experiences to stimulate the senses and foster a deeper connection with the environment. 

Following its official groundbreaking in late May, the $1.5 million project is the first of its kind in Pittsburgh’s park system and would support diverse learning styles and promote environmental education through exploration and sensory interaction. 

Catherine Qureshi, president and CEO of the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy, said the project represents a significant milestone for the community. 

“We are proud to provide a welcoming environment that prioritizes inclusivity, ensuring that individuals with disabilities can fully participate and enjoy the wonders of our parks,” she said.

The 3-acre site will feature a ⅓-mile trail that winds through the park’s woodlands with sensory learning stations that would encourage observation through tactile panels, sound-makers, fragrant plants and other interactive activities. These stops were specifically designed to engage the senses. 

MAP SHOWING PLANNED FEATURES FOR THE OUTDOOR SENSORY CLASSROOM AND PLAY SPACES. | COURTESY PITTSBURGH PARKS CONSERVANCY

Gravel and dirt trails will be paved, new rope banisters will serve as guide rails and QR-accessible audio tours will allow visually impaired guests to experience the park’s wonder in a new medium. 

The space also will feature several enclosed seating areas and an observation deck halfway through the trail. 

“The Outdoor Sensory Classroom and Nature Play Trail is more than just a physical addition to Frick Park, it is a testament to our commitment to fostering a more vibrant, connected and inclusive community,” Quershi says. 

Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy Director of Advancement Alana Wenk says the final design was selected through community input paired with accessibility, engagement and environmental considerations. The project’s budget received major financial assistance from the City of Pittsburgh’s Parks Trust Fund, as well as institutional and individual funders, she says.

A PORTION OF THE 3-ACRE SITE THAT WILL SOON BE UNDER CONSTRUCTION TO MAKE IMPROVEMENTS TO THE OBSERVATION DECK. | PHOTO BY VIRGINIA LINN

The Parks Conservancy hopes the space will help foster partnerships with new organizations and schools as well as develop new, more accessible environmental education programs. 

There will be detours posted on the South Clayton Trail as construction progresses over the summer.