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Check out these great happenings at Kayak Pittsburgh!
University Week
Both locations of Kayak Pittsburgh
College students - kayak for free at both locations of Kayak Pittsburgh from September 24 through the end of October.
To celebrate this event, during University Week (Sept. 24th - Sept. 28th), students will also receive a free T-shirt when arriving at either Kayak Pittsburgh location.
Valid student ID is required.
University Week is offered as part of Pittsburgh Connections, a project sponsored by Venture Outdoors and Richard King Mellon Foundation.
For more information visit www.ventureoutdoors.org/universityweek.asp
250 & Fit Kick-off Celebration - Free Kayaking
Tuesday, September 25
11:00 am – 1:00 pm
Roberto Clemente Bridge
(6th Street Bridge, Downtown Pittsburgh)
Take a break from the work day! Stop by Kayak Pittsburgh, located under the Clemente Bridge, and take out a kayak on us to help kick-off Pittsburgh 250 & Fit. No RSVP required. First come, first served.
Venture Outdoors, its outdoor recreation partners, and Pittsburgh 250 invite you to bring your bike, paddle your kayak, or walk on over for a mid-day celebration.
250 & Fit is an initiative designed to help the people of southwestern Pennsylvania transform their lifestyles by improving their health, wellness, and fitness.
For more information, visit imaginepittsburgh.com
Trash Cleanup by Kayak
Saturday, October 6th - Sunday, October 7th
Kayak Pittsburgh North Park
Grab a bag and get out on the water!
All day Saturday and Sunday, the first weekend in October, stop by Kayak Pittsburgh at North Park and help us clean up our lake. For every plastic bag you bring back, we’ll knock $3 off the hourly rate.
September 24 2007 | Uncategorized | 2 Comments »
Picture this: you are sitting in traffic after a long day at work…it’s a beautiful day outside and you are stuck behind a smelly truck. First, you see the bus that stops a few blocks away from your house…not too far to walk, but just far enough that you grabbed the car keys instead. Next, you see one of those hybrid vehicles you’ve been meaning to test drive. You then enviously note the bicyclists, rollerbladers and runners whizzing past you on separate trail or bike lane. A light rail mass transit train can be seen disappearing into the tunnel ahead. You gaze towards the river…what is that yellow object?…a KAYAK?
Some of these scenarios are already in place in the Pittsburgh area. Others are still in the works. All of them will be featured in the first annual Alternative Transportation Festival (ATF) in Pittsburgh.
The day takes place on Friday, October 5 during the lunch hour (11:30 AM – 1:30 PM) and after work (3:00 PM - 8:00 PM). There will be three locations: South Side Works, Market Square, and Schenley Plaza.
The ATF is an event to raise public awareness of alternative means of transportation and advocate for the increased use of public transportation, car-sharing, alternative fuels, fuel efficient, hybrid and advanced vehicles, boats, bikes and other human-powered technologies. This event is presented by Pittsburgh Region Clean Cities, in coordination with Steel City Biofuels, Bike Pittsburgh and Restorative Events.
Free Activities include:
- alternative fuel vehicles (AFV), hybrid and “Smart Car” demos
- biofuel production and straight vegetable oil conversion workshops
- advanced vehicle technology speakers and forum
- bicycle repair workshops and guided rides
- environmentally conscious art and music
- prizes, raffles and giveaways
Dozens of companies and organizations will be represented at the festival and will share their own piece of alternative transportation knowledge. Venture Outdoors will be at the Market Square location to promote hiking, biking and kayaking (no, there aren’t any commuter kayaks or bikes yet available, but we will show you where to go and how to do it on our beginner-friendly trips!).
The benefits of diverse transportation in a city are obvious: a cleaner environment, a healthier community, safer and less congested streets and a more friendly, less rushed atmosphere. So come join us on October 5th to celebrate all the different ways to get around the city.
Click here for the official website of the Alternative Transportation Festival.
http://www.cleancities-pittsburgh.net/atf/
September 22 2007 | Uncategorized | No Comments »
Venture Outdoors has recently unveiled its latest membership level…for pets!
Along with Membership Coordinator’s cat Wally (named Walt Disney for his tell-”tail” marking) as the 6th pet member, there are dogs, cats and a turtle rounding out our inaugural pet memberships.
Feline and canine friends, as well as any other pets, are offered a membership for $3. Upon becoming a part of the Venture Outdoors family, pets will receive a personalized membership card and a treat. The membership is completely tax deductible and will help cover the cost of trip insurance for participants of the organization’s youth program.
In addition to becoming a member, pups have the opportunity to participate in Doggie Day Treks. The activity starts out with a social time for the dogs to get to know each other, followed by an easy hike for both owner and pet.
Both pets and owners will receive exercise and a needed time to relax and bond in the outdoors. Only 2 dogs are permitted per participant. Leashes are required, although off-leash time will be included. Dogs must have current vaccinations, and owners must bring dog food, water and bags to clean up after their pet.
The next Doggie Day Trek is Sunday, September 23 at Mingo Creek Park from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The cost is $8 for members and $12 for non-members. The physical difficulty is moderate. The following Doggie Day Trek is Sunday, November 11 at South Park from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
To register for any of the Doggie Day Trek events, those interested need only call the Venture Outdoors office at 412.255.0564. A complete listing of programs for the season is available at www.ventureoutdoors.org.
For more information on Pet Memberships, contact Membership Coordinator Rebecca Malena at 412.255.0564.
September 07 2007 | Uncategorized | No Comments »
Jo Outdoors here…it’s come to my attention that there are people new to Pittsburgh, and perhaps even some long-time residents who have yet to set foot inside one of our fair city parks. If lack of awareness is the problem…I’m here with the solution! Below you’ll find some valuable information, along with links to even more resources about our many city parks.
We’ll start near the area universities and move outward:
Schenley Park
Situated in the heart of Oakland, Schenley Park is a major destination for university students, businesspeople, and anyone else who loves the outdoors. With a beautiful Visitor Center, proximity to many cultural attractions, a pool, an ice skating rink, and plenty of open space to play sports, Schenley Park truly has something for everyone. (More information from Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy)
Frick Park
Frick Park is the largest of the city’s four parks, covering 600 acres. Park users love the extensive trails throughout the park’s steep valleys and wooded slopes that are ideal for hikes. Park amenities include the Frick Art & Historical Center, educational programming by the Frick Environmental Center, Blue Slide Playground, Playground at at Forbes and Braddock, the Frick Gatehouse, red clay tennis courts, and a bowling green. (More information from Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy)
Highland Park
Runners and walkers find a cool hilltop oasis at the promenade surrounding Highland Park’s historic Reservoir No. 1. The 3/4-mile walkway is one of many popular features of this East End park, which also includes the City’s only long-course swimming pool and the Washington Boulevard Cycling Track. Other highlights include the Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium, Lake Carnegie, sand volleyball courts, a “super playground” (built in just five days by community volunteers), trails, picnic shelters, and tennis courts. (More information from the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy)
Riverview Park
An equestrian trail can be a delightful surprise to visitors of Riverview Park - an urban park nestled between several neighborhoods just north of Downtown Pittsburgh. The park’s extensive network of trails serves as a popular destination for hikers, joggers and horseback riders. Other highlights include the landmark Allegheny Observatory, swimming pool, ball fields and picnic shelters - and a “space age” playground located near the observatory. (More information from the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy)
Grand View Scenic Byway Park
The 5th addition to the great regional parks. The Park completely encircles Mount Washington and Duquesne Heights from Grandview Park on the east, across the face of the Mount, to the Duquesne Heights Greenway, Olympia Park and Mt. Washington Park on the back side of the mountain. Until consolidated into a park, this land had been a loose assortment of greenways, forested hillsides, neglected parcels, existing smaller parks and playing fields. (For more information on this new park, visit the MWDC website)
Point State Park
Point State Park is a 36-acre state park, a National Historic Landmark, the only developed State Park in Allegheny County, and the only large public park in downtown Pittsburgh, located at the confluence of Pittsburgh’s three rivers.
Point State Park is currently under construction to make the area more viable for recreation opportunities. (Click here for more information on the park and its renovation)
Those are the main ones, but there are plenty of smaller parks, playgrounds, recreational facilities and other green spaces in the area (such as Mellon Park pictured on the above map). Check out this web listing for more places to discover. Visit the Citiparks webpage for rules and regulations of the city parks.
How do I get to these places?
Ride your bike, take a bus, walk or carpool with some friends.
Are there groups that can help me learn how to use these parks?
Venture Outdoors has many opportunities to try out parks in the city and in western Pennsylvania. You can also check out the many organizations on our resources page.
I hope this helps you get to know the “green” side of the city a little better and puts you in touch with the resources to explore on your own!
Until next time…
Jo
September 07 2007 | Uncategorized | 1 Comment »
The Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail is 70 miles long and 10 folks from the LHHT Quest completed all 70 over the course of this spring and summer. Some of their comments can be found below:
What was your favorite part about the LHHT Quest series?
Right off of the top of my head I would have to say it was the people I met! People with the same interests as me and together we had a goal to meet, which we accomplished by finishing the trail. It gave me a great sense of accomplishment.
~Phil
My favorite part of the LHHT Quest series was the moments when the group had thinned out over the course of the day while hiking and I got the feeling that I was immersed in and experiencing the beauty of nature, yet still close enough to others to feel safe. When the sun shone through the trees dappling the ground cover and the trail itself, and I was surrounded by all the greenery and sounds of the ‘wild,’ I felt liberated from my day-to-day stress. I also enjoyed seeing the huge rock formations–a very primal connection to nature, in my opinion.
Of course, it would not have been possible to enjoy these things, since I am not an experienced hiker, without the expert leaders we had. Kenn and Nanci were wonderful–extremely knowledgeable of the trail and always offering encouragement and support when the going got a little rocky!
~Jen
The Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail is like the superhighway of hiking trails
in western Pennsylvania. It is artfully laid out and meticulously
maintained. One advantage is that it connects with about a gazillion other
trails in the Highlands so it’s easy to build lots of loop hikes utilizing
this trail.
Hiking the Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail has always been loads of fun
because it is easy to follow and covers some of the most beautiful areas of
our state. I personally appreciate the clear goal of hiking the LHHT:
‘Hey, let’s hike 70 miles!’
My favorite part was the folks who hiked the Quest. I’ve always believed
that the best people are to be found on the trail and after hiking the Quest
series with the same people throughout the summer, I’m sure of it. And
thanks to VO for the opportunity to lead the Quest!
~Kenn, Trip Leader
What did you learn or gain as a result of participating in this series?
I gained an unbelievable experience for both body and soul with spectacular scenery, great people and two of the best leaders in the outdoors.
~Kevin
August 24 2007 | Uncategorized | 1 Comment »
We just moved from Blogger to WordPress…if you want to view the old blog, check it out here: www.venture-outdoors.blogspot.com
August 03 2007 | Uncategorized | No Comments »
This blog is still under construction, please bear with us while we figure things out!
Thanks.
~Jo Outdoors
May 21 2007 | Uncategorized | 1 Comment »