City Cast Pittsburgh
💰 Millions for city parks
March 31, 2026 · — Francesca Dabecco
Start your day with something cute!
The South Park Game Preserve announced the arrival of a new calf, Denali.
Check out some cute photos at @south_park_buffalo_friends on Instagram. The group raises awareness about the buffalo family and works with the county to improve conditions for the animals.
What's CITY Talking About
Pitt Pledges $5 Million to the City
The money will go toward city parks, business corridor revitalization, and public safety over the next five years. The university is one of the city’s largest nonprofits and doesn’t pay property taxes, similar to CMU, Duquesne, UPMC and Highmark Health. Pitt’s gift is the latest in a recent string of donations to the city, including from the PNC Foundation, UPMC, and the Heinz Endowments. [WESA / City Cast Pittsburgh]
Sheetz Sponsors Free T Rides During Draft
Sheetz is partnering with Pittsburgh Regional Transit to provide free rides on the T and Monongahela Incline during the NFL Draft. PRT is encouraging Pittsburghers to not drive during the three-day event. [TribLive / WESA]
- Wondering how to get around? VisitPITTSBURGH put out a comprehensive transportation plan. [VisitPITTSBURGH]
- Highmark and UPMC are working together to plan for the influx of visitors and possible emergency situations. [Post-Gazette]
Stonewall Inn Opens on Trans Day of Visibility
A new trans-led resource center is celebrating its grand opening on Smithfield Street today. The Stonewall Inn will support the trans community with access to food resources, case management, workforce development, and more. [@sisterspgh412]
- Learn about other local ways to mark Trans Day of Visibility. [City Cast Pittsburgh]
New Protections for Renters in Allegheny County
County Executive Sara Innamorato signed a bill to protect tenants who face retaliation from landlords for exercising their legal rights, like filing complaints or talking to the media about building conditions. Current law is already supposed to protect tenants, but now landlords have to show evidence that an eviction is not retaliatory; previously, tenants had to prove retaliation. [Allegheny County]
- Here’s what you need to know before you sign a lease in Pittsburgh. [City Cast Pittsburgh]
New Music Festival Coming To Frick Park
Save the date for Turn It Upstream on June 26, a new music festival along Fern Hollow Creek. Look forward to local artists, tasty food, environmental activities, guided walks, and more. The event, hosted by WQED icon Rick Sebak, celebrates Upstream Pittsburgh’s 25th anniversary. [Upstream Pittsburgh]
- Learn how Upstream takes care of our waterways and how you can get involved. [City Cast Pittsburgh]
Sponsored Content
Pittsburgh’s Quiet Shift Toward Local Banking
From grocery co-ops to neighborhood coffee shops, Pittsburghers increasingly choose local. Banking should be no different. Credit unions, which are member-owned and not-for-profit, are seeing renewed interest from residents looking for transparency and community reinvestment. Clearview Federal Credit Union is one local option.
Where Is It?
Let’s play a game! Where can you find this green building with a bike mural?
🌟 Congrats to reader Michelle K., Josh S., Laura Z., Sarah B., Anna C., Janis M., Nancy K., and Carye B. for correctly guessing the last “Where Is It?” challenge! ⬇️
Find these shelves of books at City of Asylum’s Alphabet City on the North Side. It’s part book store, part restaurant, and part event venue — all with the mission of providing refuge to writers who’ve been exiled from their own countries.
The bookstore and venue regularly host live jazz performances, a reading series, and storytelling nights. Plan ahead: City of Asylum puts on Jazz Poetry Month every May, celebrating collaborations between written and musical arts.
📚 See what books you can find in stock at the shop, or browse some other Pittsburgh indie bookstores.
Tip: City of Asylum is located right next door to Mayfly Market inside of the old Garden Theater. Stop in for groceries, lunch, or a sweet treat of homemade sorbet.
Looking for more things to see and do?
- 💛 Help us build “1,000 Things We Love About Pittsburgh”
- 🛍️ Shop small and local at these spring pop-up markets
- 🥕 Buy a local CSA to get farm-fresh food all summer
- 💌 Get some cute cards at these stationery shops
- ♻️ Explore shops for creative reuse and more in Point Breeze
- ☕ Try one of these new Pittsburgh coffee shops
- 🎥 Watch “The Pitt” with the City Cast Pittsburgh team
- 💡 Test your knowledge of Pittsburgh neighborhoods
- ✏️ Try out our latest Pittsburgh crossword puzzle
What Neighbors Love
We’re back with recommendations from City Cast Pittsburgh Neighbors 📣 This is a weekly spot in the newsletter where members get to shine a light on their favorite local businesses, organizations, and events.
- ☕ Erin L. wants to shout out Mel’s Petit Café in Mt. Lebanon. She says they have “the BEST chocolate chip cookies around. Their crepes and lattes are also fab, but the chocolate chip cookies are exquisite!”
Want to share your own shoutout? 🌟
What To Do
Tuesday, March 31
- 🥘 Padma Lakshmi with Pittsburgh Arts & Lectures (Oakland)
- 🐘 Water for Elephants at the Benedum Center through April 5 (Downtown)
- 🎨 Bob Ross Paint Night at Bottlerocket (Allentown)
- 🐝 Creative Hive with the Greater Pgh Arts Council (Lawrenceville)
- 🍿 Movie Night at Two Frays Brewery (Garfield)
- 🎤 Open Mic Night at Poetry Lounge (Millvale)
- ♟️ Cheers & Chess Social Club at Aslin Brewing (Strip District)
- 🥟 Pierogi Party at Mr. Roboto Project (Bloomfield)
- 🏳️⚧️ Makeup & Mocktails: Trans Makeup Edition (Beechview)
- 🌳 Formative Tree Pruning on East Ohio Street (East Allegheny)
- 📖 B is for Bibliophile Book Launch at White Whale (Bloomfield)
Wednesday, April 1
- 🪴 Spring Outdoor Planter Series at the Botanic Garden (Oakdale)
- 🌕 Pink Moon Headlamp Hike with 3 Rivers Outdoor Co. (Regent Square)
- 💡 Very Good Trivia Party at Bottlerocket (Allentown)
- 🏓 PGH Girlies Pickleball Club at Washington’s Landing (Herrs Island)
- 💻 Cybersecurity Talk with Prototype PGH (Oakland)
- 🏒 Watch Women's Hockey at Two Frays Brewery (Garfield)
- 🖋️ Meetup with Pittsburgh Lettering Club (Lawrenceville)
🌿 Something fun: The author and illustrator behind “Tiny Worlds of the Appalachian Mountains” has an exhibit on display at Pittsburgh Botanic Gardens.
I love her watercolor prints and have two hanging in my house!
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