City Cast Pittsburgh
🌊 6 ways to enjoy Pgh’s rivers
June 26, 2025 · — Francesca Dabecco
Hi, neighbor! The city is keeping its cooling centers open until Friday to get us through this heat wave ☀️
It’s really starting to feel like peak summer in Pittsburgh — and not just because of the high temps! We’ve got food and drink festivals, home and garden tours, outdoor performances, and berry picking at local farms.
And it wouldn’t be summer in the Burgh without some river recreation. Scroll for the best ways to enjoy the water this summer ⬇️
What's CITY Talking About?
🏳️🌈 City Councilor Proposes LGBTQIA+ Protections
A new package of bills proposed by Councilor Barb Warwick could proactively shield queer and trans Pittsburghers from discrimination and future laws restricting their rights. The three measures would:
- Prohibit medical providers from denying care based on a person's gender identity or expression
- De-prioritize local enforcement of laws that restrict people from otherwise legal activities — for example, if the state or federal government banned trans athletes from participating in sports
- Decriminalize sex work [90.5 WESA]
💸 Can Taxing Uber Save Public Transit?
Pittsburgh Regional Transit and other public transit systems across the state are in big financial trouble. The state budget is due on Monday, and lawmakers are considering a few proposals to boost transportation funding — including taxing Uber and Lyft rides — but it seems likely PRT won't get enough to avoid service cuts.
- 🚎 What’s at stake? Laura Chu Wiens, executive director of Pittsburghers for Public Transit, explains what’s on the table and what she thinks could be done to build a more robust, financially stable transit system. [🎧 City Cast Pittsburgh]
🦒 Pittsburgh Zoo Gets $10 Million Donation
The money, given by an anonymous donor, will pay for new zoo facilities and programs, like a giraffe barn and a new exhibit including orangutans, siamangs, and Malaysian tapirs — with features like waterfalls, pools, and a facility for off-season viewing. [TribLive]
- 🧭 Get an insider’s guide to the Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium. [🎧 City Cast Pittsburgh]
What To Do
Thursday, June 26
- 🎥 Launch Party for Backyard Docs (Polish Hill)
- 🧘 Yoga at Schenley Plaza (Oakland)
- ☀️ Summer Yoga at the Community Library (Millvale)
- 🍕 "How Sweet Eats” at Third Space (Garfield)
- 🎷 Thursday Night Jazz at City of Asylum (North Side)
- 🍅 Franklin Street Market at Fulton Commons (Manchester)
- 🌈 Stories of Pride at Potomac Station Coffeehouse (Dormont)
- 🪕 Calliope Summer Series in Schenley Plaza (Oakland)
- 🍷 Around the World with Wine & Cheese (Mars)
Friday, June 27
- 🌈 Pride on Penn at Bakery Square (Larimer)
- 🛼 Skate Night at Allegheny RiverTrail Park (Aspinwall)
- 🎉 First Fri-Gay at Hazelwood Brew House (Hazelwood)
- 🥂 Night Out with Pgh Social Club at Field Day (Lawrenceville)
- 🖼️ Exhibition Opening & Block Party at the Mattress Factory (North Side)
- 🍻 Burgh Bits & Bites on the North Side (Allegheny West)
- 🎶 Silver Street Series with The Warhol (North Shore)
- 🍻 Parks on Tap Beer Garden at Schenley Park (Oakland)
- 🎸 Summer Concert Series at South Park Amphitheater (South Park)
- 🍻 Trace Fridays at Allegheny RiverTrail Park (Aspinwall)
- 🌙 Night Mart on Beaver Street (Sewickley)
- 🤠 Pittsburgh Honky-Tonk at Spirit (Lawrenceville)
- 🎨 Girl Therapy Paint Night at War Streets Art Salon (North Side)
- 🥃 Swing and Sip at Lucky Sign Spirits (Gibsonia)
- 🥁 Music & Friday Market on the lawn (SouthSide Works)
- 🏳️🌈 Pride Bootcamp with SisTers PGH (Lawrenceville)
- ✨ Mid-Summers Night Fair on Willow Avenue (Castle Shannon)
🌊 Like today’s river recreation roundup? Join Three Rivers Waterkeeper at the Carnegie Library tonight to learn about Pittsburgh’s rivers and how they’ve changed over time.
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