By Ranger Stevie
Hello everyone and happy November!
Ranger Stevie here — it’s so good to be back in Allegheny Commons!
I hope you all had a wonderful summer and enjoyed the beauty of fall. I can hardly believe winter is right around the corner (I know, I know — I wish time would slow down too!)
Since it’s been a while, I wanted to take a moment to reintroduce myself. My name is Stevie, and I grew up in the West End, though I spent much of my time on the Northside at Sarah Heinz House. The Northside has always held a special place in my heart — especially Allegheny Commons — and I’m grateful to now serve this community as your Park Ranger.
As a ranger, I lead with kindness and connection. I strive to treat everyone with respect and hope to be a bright spot in someone’s day — even if that moment involves reminding them to leash their dog or throw their trash away. We’re all human, and while I’m here to do my job, I also aim to create positive interactions that build community.
Whether I’m leading programs or patrolling the park, my mission remains the same: education and connection. When people feel heard and valued, communication flows naturally — and communication is key to keeping our park welcoming and beautiful for everyone.
I wanted to share a few exciting updates from around the park:
Dog park updates
The Dog Park has received new signage! The previous signs were a bit unclear about the park boundaries, so we’ve made sure everything is now easy to follow. The Dog Park area begins just past the Soldiers Memorial and extends all the way to Ridge Avenue, with the walking path serving as the side boundary. Please remember to keep your dogs within the designated Off-Leash Exercise Area, highlighted on the map accompanying this column.
A huge thank-you to City Planning and DPW for their help in updating and installing the new signs!
DPW appreciation
Speaking of DPW — they’ve been doing an incredible job maintaining the park, and I’m so grateful to work alongside them. Over the past few weeks, they’ve been busy painting benches to cover graffiti and prepare for winter, collecting leaves, removing litter, clearing sticks and debris, and cleaning the drain at Lake Elizabeth. Their dedication truly keeps Allegheny Commons looking beautiful. Please join me in giving them a big shoutout!
Wildlife update
We had a cool little visitor in Lake Elizabeth recently — an American Coot! These unique waterbirds are often mistaken for ducks, but they’re actually part of the rail family. It was such a fun surprise to spot one paddling around the lake! If you didn’t get the chance to see it I was able to get a couple shots of this cool bird.
Upcoming Programming
Let’s close with a quick look at upcoming programs and events for November and December — more details below!
- Nov. 11: Allegheny Commons Photography Walk — Focus on Wildlife Location: Lake Elizabeth, Allegheny Commons Park Time: 9-10 a.m. Details: Join Ranger Stevie for a photography walk focusing on the wildlife within Allegheny Commons. This is a great time to pull out your zoom lens! Phone photography is always welcomed! See you there!
- Nov. 12: Allegheny Commons Park — Roaming Ranger Station Location: Patricia Rooney Memorial Fountain, Allegheny Commons Park Time: 9-10 a.m.
- Nov. 25: Allegheny Commons Photography Walk — Learning Shutter Speed Location: Lake Elizabeth, Allegheny Commons Park Time: 9-10 a.m.
Details: Join Ranger Stevie for a photography walk, bring your phone, wipe the dust off those cameras and let’s learn about the shutter speed on your camera and how that can help you take a sharper photo! See you there.
Registration link: Please text Ranger Stevie with your name
Questions? Please contact Ranger Stevie via text, at (412) 496-2112
