With five county parks and several green spaces doubling as her office this week, Allegheny County Parks Foundation executive director Caren Glotfelty is busy overseeing major improvements to our regionâs top environmental assets and outdoor destinationsâfrom designing a demonstration meadow at Allegheny Countyâs highest elevation point to mitigating stream pollution from coal mines. âIâve spent many years repairing some of the dire ecological consequences of industrialization to our region,â says the Northern California native. âItâs a joy and privilege to now concentrate on the needs of 12,000 protected acres in our county parksâan abundant and rare asset for a single county.â
Monday, July 18
I water the gardens early at my âgreenâ Mt. Washington house near Emerald View Park, and play with my cat, Sassy, before driving to Boyce Park where we share space with the park management. Iâll prepare for tomorrowâs board meeting and fit in a walk to Indian Hill, the highest elevation in Allegheny County and the future site of our demonstration meadow. Meadows are incredibly beneficial to the ecosystem, so weâre planting it next spring with the hope of installing them in all of the parks.

After work, Iâll stop by the Penn State Master Gardener Programâs Edible Teaching Garden in Point Breeze where Pat Morgan, a fellow Master Gardener, and I created a straw bale vegetable and herb garden. Iâll make sure the water barrels are full to keep our solar irrigation system running.
Tuesday, July 19
I have an early coffee meeting with Amy Wolfe, executive director of the Pennsylvania Chapter of Trout Unlimited to talk about research studies TU has funded in Pinkertons Run in Settlers Cabin Park. Drainage from old coal mines has polluted this stream which is otherwise beautiful and peaceful. Weâll discuss the streamâs clean-up before she visits the site with coal mine pollution consulting expert, Bob Hedin.
At 9 a.m. I will meet with the Foundation Board of Directors. We have a packed agenda of events and projects. After the meeting, Iâm heading to Settlerâs Cabin to hear what our experts are recommending for next steps.
In the evening Iâm joining several board members for a small reception at one of their homes. They have invited friends and colleagues to socialize and hear about why they are excited about the Allegheny County Parks Foundation.
Wednesday, July 20
Iâm attending the Summer Garden Luncheon at the Hartwood Acres Mansion, which will feature a menu with edible flowers. Weâll tour the formal garden and then Iâm taking a five-mile hike along the Rachel Carson Trail with board member Tom Armstrong.

Afterward, Iâm meeting a friend at The Porch at Schenley Plaza, and then weâre hopping over to the Late Night Cabaret event at Opera Theater of Pittsburghâs SummerFest at Falk Auditorium at Winchester Thurston School in Shadyside. I am hosting a teacher/performer at my home this summer and she is singing tonight.
Thursday, July 21
Iâm hosting a meeting at the Babble Brook Shelter at North Park with the CEOs of several regional environmental organizations. We meet periodically to share information about the initiatives weâre each working on. And afterward, kayaking! Joey-Lynn Ulrich, executive director of Venture Outdoors, has invited us all to kayak on North Park Lake, where they have a busy kiosk.
In the evening Iâm attending a family program by the Park RangersâA Beaverâs Lifeâat Deer Lakes Park.
Friday, July 22
Iâm meeting with the manager of White Oak Park to talk about the trail heâs marked off for a 10K for our new race series, The Allegheny 9. Thousands of people train in our parks every year, so we decided to sponsor races of our own.

On my way back into the city, Iâm going to try to fit in a stop at BE Galleries in Lawrenceville to pick up my new painting, Migration, by local artist Elizabeth Myers Castonguay. Later, I could head to the Summer of Love concert series at South Park but I might make it an early night and get take-out from Kabob-G Grill in Castle Shannon. Theyâre often voted as one of the top Middle Eastern restaurants in the region and theyâre definitely mine.
Saturday, July 23
I have an early morning appointment with my trainer, Anna Squilla of Adaptive Fitness Training, LLC. Got to keep in shape for all this park activity!
In the afternoon, Iâm going to an Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania program at Beechwood Farms Nature Reserve, âPlants to Support Hummers,â in the afternoon. Itâs all about attracting hummingbirds to the landscape and Iâll probably be tempted to buy a few native plants.

This evening Iâm attending Opera Theater of Pittsburghâs production of Julius Caesar, again at Winchester Thurston.
Sunday, July 24
Iâll pick up my weekly groceries at the SHOP ân SAVE on Virginia Avenue. Itâs under new management and looks great. Iâll check on the progress of artist Scott Saloneyâs mural on the side of the store. Heâs using acrylics on his highly detailed Pittsburgh scene. Itâs amazing.
Maybe Iâll treat myself to a pastry at Grandview Bakery, but donât tell my trainer!
Iâm meeting my son, Jake Schoonhoven, and his girlfriend at the Pirates game this afternoon to take advantage of Venture Outdoorsâ Paddle at the Park event.