Meg Cheever, Founder, President and CEO of the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy recently received the EY Entrepreneur of the Year award for Community Impact. According to a recent article in Next Pittsburgh:

Since its inception in 1996, the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy has raised $85 million to improve the city’s parks under the direction of its founder, president and CEO, Meg Cheever. And Cheever and her organization are by no means letting grass grow under their feet. Through their partnership with city government they continue to work diligently on 1,700 acres of greenspace for all to enjoy. Their current and most ambitious effort? An $18.4 million project to rebuild the Frick Environmental Center at the entrance to Frick Park just off Beechwood Boulevard. “It’s designed to meet the Living Building Challenge and to meet LEED platinum standards,” Cheever says. “We’re already serving about 1,500 kids a year through summer camps and school year programs, and the new center will offer a much improved platform for kids and everyone to experience the park in wonderful ways.”

Bohlin Cywinski Jackson is designing the Frick Environmental Center- a joint endeavor between the City of Pittsburgh and the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy. A cutting-edge and environmentally sensitive living laboratory, The Frick Environmental Center will provide children from all parts of the city with access to hands-on, experiential environmental education. The new 15,500 square foot Center will complement and restore the ecological and historical landscape of the park while enhancing visitor experience and understanding. Occupying the same footprint of the previous environmental center, the educational facility will include classrooms, a public living room, reception area, restrooms, offices, as well as other administrative support facilities. Additional amenities to the site feature a restoration of two notable gatehouses, a modern renovation to the historic fountain and promenade, and a barn to serve the volunteer and outdoor educational programs. The Center is scheduled for completion in spring 2016.

Photo by Matt Polk