Newsletter June 2026

Arbor Day Celebration

The NFL draft didn’t compete with our event, but Mother Nature tried to…

The on-and-off spurts of rain didn’t put a damper on participant enthusiasm at the 6th Annual Friends of Mellon Park Arbor Day Celebration. Emcee Rick Sebak kept the event on track by encouraging everyone to join the special activities, like guided tree walks with Brian Wolyniak from Penn State Extension, a kids’ interactive musical set with Playnotes, and Fun Runs sponsored by Fleet Feet.

The oval in the park was once again buzzing with family-friendly, art- and nature-based activities sponsored by neighborhood schools, community groups, and environmental organizations.

The Allderdice marching band was a big hit again as they heralded the arrival of our 2026 Arbor Day honoree, James Snow. James, Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer of the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy, was honored for his ten-year commitment to and advocacy for all of Mellon Park. City Council representatives Khari Mosley and Erika Strassburger presented James with a City proclamation, and a tree was planted in his honor.

Other event highlights included:

  • An obstacle course from Steel City Squash

  • A petting zoo

  • A tree giveaway by Tree Pittsburgh

  • Free donuts

  • Kindergarten karaoke

We hope to see you next year, so mark your calendar for May 1, 2027, and save the date!

Gardening in the Park

The mission of Friends of Mellon Park is to support, protect, and advocate for Mellon Park, and we do all of that for one of the many treasures of this beautiful greenspace – the gardens located throughout the park. When the Mellons lived there, they had a team of gardeners on staff, but today's beds are mainly cared for by volunteers. We started in 2020 with just a handful of people, and today we have nearly 30 individuals who are excited to give their time to weed, water, mulch, and care for the plants as needed.

If you're interested in gardening in Mellon Park, there are several options. No long-term commitment is required for any of them. Just show up when you can and stay as long as you like. If you have small tools and gloves, bring them along.

  • Weekly gardening throughout the park. This group meets at different dates, places, and times. An email is sent out early each week with a date and time selected based on the weather forecast.

  • Weekly gardening in the Herb Garden. This area is managed by Herb Society members. They're usually in those beds on Wednesday mornings.

  • Monthly gardening throughout the park. FOMP and Phipps Conservatory have partnered to host evening volunteer opportunities throughout the park. You can join in on the third Wednesday of the month from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m., May through October. No need to sign up in advance.

If you're interested in joining any of these groups, please email info@friendsofmellonpark.org and we'll connect you. We hope to see you this summer!

Celebrate the Pittsburgh Center for Arts & Media

This is a big year for the Pittsburgh Center for Arts and Media. PCA&M received a 20-year lease on the Scaife building at the close of 2025, and the organization is excited to begin this brand-new chapter in its history. They’ve already started working on large capital projects to celebrate the lease and ensure that the historic Scaife building remains a beautiful fixture in Mellon Park for decades to come. Earlier this year, PCA&M fully replaced the roof, and in May they started a masonry project on the front of the building to restore the facade.

In 2026, PCA&M celebrates 80 years of operations in the Scaife building. Stay tuned for more information about their sixth annual Member & Student Exhibition, which will feature the work of those who make PCA&M a vibrant, lively arts community. There will also be archival materials from the last 80 years. The exhibition will celebrate the past and present legacies of this long-standing Pittsburgh arts institution.

Moving forward, PCA&M is excited to continue restoration and renovation projects on the Scaife building. They take pride in their stewardship of this Mellon Park landmark and look forward to future projects that will improve the site for students, members, and the general public.

Bach, Beethoven, and Brunch

The Bach, Beethoven, and Brunch series begins on Sunday, June 21, and runs through July 26. These free concerts are offered from 10:30 until noon at the oval on the south side of Mellon Park.

2026 Schedule

June 21 — East Winds Symphonic Band
June 28 — River City Brass
July 12 — Three Rivers Young Peoples Orchestra
July 19 — Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra
July 26 — Academy Concerts #HaydnBurgh

Enjoy live music on the lawn and join the Best Brunch competition! Thank you to the City of Pittsburgh, Citizens Bank, and Classical WQED-FM 89.3.

Become a Friend of Mellon Park

Friends of Mellon Park is a 100% volunteer-run organization. We are able to help care for the park because of your support. You can become a Friend of Mellon Park.

Please join us and donate today.