The Global Meaningful Travel Map

Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy

Explore a welcoming nature space with accessible trails, sensory experiences, and adaptive programs, perfect for all visitors to connect with the outdoors.

OUR EXPERIENCES
Discover the outdoors at the Frick Environmental Center (FEC)! Explore the new Outdoor Discovery Space and Sensory Nature Trail, an accessible path that takes visitors on a 1/3-mile walk around the FEC. Trackchairs are available to borrow for use in Frick Park, and visitors can borrow items from the lending library, including assistive resources and sensory kits. We also host seasonal monthly stewardship days, providing visitors with the opportunity to give back and care for Frick Park.

ABOUT US
The Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy was founded in December 1996 by a passionate group of neighbors who cared deeply about Pittsburgh’s historic city parks and wanted to see them thrive. As a nonprofit organization, we’re dedicated to restoring and enhancing our parks, working hand in hand with the City of Pittsburgh through a strong public-private partnership.

At the Parks Conservancy, we believe Pittsburgh deserves a great park system that helps our communities thrive.

Our vision: A vibrant park system that is welcoming, accessible, and enjoyed by all.

Our mission: We improve quality of life by enhancing and stewarding Pittsburgh’s parks in partnership with the community.

To date, the Parks Conservancy has raised $150 million and completed 24 major park improvement projects. The Parks Conservancy works with thousands of volunteers, hosts hundreds of events, and provides programming for more than 7,500 children annually.

OUR IMPACT
The Outdoor Discover Space and Sensory Nature Trail at the Frick Environmental Center is helping make Frick Park more welcoming and accessible for everyone, including visitors with mobility, sensory, or cognitive challenges. By creating multi-sensory experiences—through touch, sound, and smell—we engage people of all abilities with the natural environment, fostering curiosity, relaxation, and well-being. This initiative promotes social inclusion and community connection, offers hands-on environmental education, and fosters stewardship by encouraging visitors to care for the park. Through accessible design, adaptive programs like the Trackchair lending initiative, and seasonal volunteer stewardship days, we’re expanding opportunities for all visitors to explore, learn, and contribute to Pittsburgh’s green spaces.

DETAILS
To learn more, contact: info@pittsburghparks.org

What are your minimum and maximum group sizes?
1-25

Do you require visitors to pre-book?
Pre-bookings are available, but not required

Do you have group rates?
No

Do you pay commissions to travel advisors?
No

What languages do you offer your services in?
English

When are you open?
Monday – Sunday 10:00am – 4:00pm

What accommodations do you make for people living with disabilities?
The Frick Environmental Center has a full-time accessibility coordinator available to answer questions and provide assistance with our wide range of assistive resources. These include:

Trackchairs: Free rental program for accessible trail exploration
Standard binoculars, digital binoculars, and monoculars
iPads and Amazon Fire tablets with hand and neck straps for accessing QR codes along the Sensory Nature Trail and using nature exploration apps
• Sensory bags with assorted fidgets
Rollz Rollators
Forest, Meadow, Stream, Seasonal, and Forest Bathing Exploration backpacks
EnChroma glasses for alleviating red-green color blindness (adult, youth, and fit-over models)
Umbrellas

QR codes at each sensory station along the Outdoor Discovery Space and Sensory Nature Trail provide prompts and additional resources to guide and enhance the visitor experience.