The “first of many” RP Days brought cyclists, spectators and fans of Riverview Park together to honor the park’s history and celebrate what’s to come.
The first-ever RP Day took place on Saturday, September 8, in Riverview Park. In addition to the first sanctioned cyclocross race in a city park, RP Day festivities included hikes led by representatives from the Western Pennsylvania Mushroom Club and the Allegheny City Society, free food provided by the Five Points Business District and games for kids and adults. The goal of the free event was to celebrate and bring more attention and investment to Riverview Park.
Photos by Ashlee Green
Riverview Park was the site of the first of seven bicycle races in the Western Pennsylvania Cyclocross Series.
Cheering on the cyclists
More cowbell!
The rainy day made for a muddy course
Waiting under an umbrella before the next race
Cyclists and spectators gathered near the entrance of Riverview Park
Puddle jumping
Bicyclists remained positive despite the rainy weather conditions
Nathan LaValla, owner of Bear Dog Bicycles, changing the lap number so cyclists could pace themselves.
A mega-sized Connect Four was one of the games available for kids and adults.
Representatives from the Western Pennsylvania Mushroom Club
Mushrooms found in North Park
The Door Campaign “creates green learning experiences to promote STEM education in the city of Pittsburgh.”
An RP Day ice sculpture from Ice Creations
A young RP day attendee learning “Science Rocks!” with Gerry Lewis, the “Nutty Science Professor.”
Live music under the park shelter
One goal of RP day was to work with PWSA to make Riverview Park a more attractive place
ALCOSAN: “3 Rivers Proud”
Visions of Zaza performed a hand balancing act
“A Glare of Cats” by Ramiro Davaro-Comas
A penguin from Pittsburgh’s National Aviary visited the crowd
Mark Masterson, Executive Director of the Northside Community Development Fund, welcomed guests, saying this is the “first of many RP Days.”
Former mayor of Pittsburgh, Tom Murphy, addressed the crowd.
Scoutmaster Terry Conroy (right) received a Volunteer Recognition award for his guidance on Boy Scout Troop 348’s project renovating two staircases in Riverview Park. Scouts Isaiah Dean and Jermaine “J.J.” Younger, Jr. initiated the idea and achieved the rank of Eagle Scout from their efforts.
Janet Pazzynski was presented with a Volunteer Recognition award for her commitment to stewardship of the flower beds in Riverview Park. Pazzynski spends every Tuesday from May through October pulling weeds to make the park a better place.
Ben Brewer (left) earned a Volunteer Recognition award for his efforts with the Northside Youth Mountain Bike Club, for kids to learn how to mountain bike safely and at their own pace.
Erin Tobin, left, Community Outreach Coordinator for the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy, thanks Mark Masterson for planning the event.
