Staff volunteers from Pipitone Group in Observatory Hill returned to Riverview Park for the fourth year in a row to help protect local flora from predators and invasive plants.

By Sophia Mastroianni

On Wednesday, October 10, volunteer staff members from Pipitone Group, a local marketing and communications agency based in Observatory Hill, closed its offices for its annual “Volunteer Day” to maintain and beautify Riverview Park. This was the fourth year Pipitone Group partnered with the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy for the event.

“The whole office has bonded with the park,” said Pipitone Group Principal Chief Creative Officer Jeff Piatt. “We’re doing something good for everyone and we built a real relationship with conservation.”

Forty returning volunteers revisited areas of the park after planting over 1,300 bulbs last year. This year, the team removed vines to restore forest canopy gaps, and set up tree and shrubbery caging to protect the local flora from both predators like deer and according to Gardener for Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy, Jaci Bruschi, invasive plant species like jetbead.

Bruschi said working for a community garden gives her more satisfaction than working in a private garden.

“Instead of private gardens with one person to satisfy, we have a whole community,” she said. “I get to see a thriving ecosystem . . . and a beautiful forest.”

According to Alex Oltmanns, Content Specialist for Pipitone Group, the team is proud to volunteer and give back to its community.

“It’s good to give back,” he said. “We’re proud to be a part of the Northside community.”

Scott Pipitone built the Pipitone Group agency on Observatory Hill 25 years ago. Since then, he and his company have provided a collaborative perspective on strategic planning, marketing, advertising and more for Pittsburgh clients. Annual volunteer work is integral to the company. This event is the ninth year Pipitone Group has volunteered in the Northside.