Chatham University and the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy launch partnership to revitalize historic arboretum
The Collaboration Aims to Preserve and Enhance One of the Nation’s Most Beautiful College Arboretums, Strengthening Pittsburgh’s Green Spaces for Future Generations
Chatham University and the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy are launching a strategic partnership to enhance and sustain the 32-acre, nationally accredited arboretum on Chatham's Shadyside Campus. As part of this collaboration, both institutions are advancing a shared commitment to environmental stewardship in Pittsburgh by revitalizing one of the city's most historically significant green spaces. This partnership aligns with the Parks Conservancy's long-standing mission to restore and maintain Pittsburgh's parks and green spaces and ensure they remain vibrant, healthy, and accessible to all residents and visitors.
Nestled within Pittsburgh's historic Woodland Road district, the 39-acre Shadyside Campus dates to 1869. It includes elements of the original Andrew Mellon estate, designed by the renowned Olmsted Brothers firm, founded by the sons of Frederick Law Olmsted, the designer of Central Park in New York (and widely regarded as the father of American landscaping). Chatham's Shadyside Campus Arboretum features more than 115 different varieties of trees, including Japanese flowering crabapple, river birch, Kentucky coffeetree, and eleven species of maple, offering an inviting place to stroll or to meditate. The Arboretum is Level II accredited, contributes to Negley Run watershed management, and is an outdoor classroom suitable for any age or interest.
Through this partnership, the Parks Conservancy will lend its expertise in park management and restoration to support the continued vitality of this historic arboretum. The Parks Conservancy will conduct a comprehensive health and conditions analysis of the arboretum, provide recommendations for its enhancement, and oversee the implementation of these improvements. Additionally, the Parks Conservancy will assist in updating the current signage and guide materials to ensure visitors can fully appreciate the arboretum's unique features. The nonprofit will also collaborate with Chatham to assess and improve the campus's garden spaces, ensuring they thrive for years.
"The partnership between Chatham University and the Parks Conservancy reflects our shared commitment to preserving and enhancing Pittsburgh's green spaces," said Catherine Qureshi, President and CEO of the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy. "By working together to care for the Arboretum, we are honoring the legacy of this historic landscape and ensuring that it remains a vibrant, accessible space, fostering education, reflection, and community. This collaboration is a testament to the power of partnerships in advancing our mission to create a healthier, greener Pittsburgh."
The collective effort is a significant step towards achieving Chatham University's Renew 2025 Action Plan, which aims to beautify and restore one of the country's 50 Most Beautiful College Arboretums, enhancing a vital element of the Shadyside Campus and contributing to the overall well-being of the community.