Celebrations at Schenley Park

It’s a big year for the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy: in 2026, they will celebrate turning 30. To mark the occasion—kicking off with Mary Schenley’s 200^th birthday on April 27—they will be offering guided history tours of architecture in Schenley Park, which includes a log cabin from 1795, the city’s oldest existing residential structure. 

Celebrations at Schenley Park aren’t just for local nonprofits or long-ago benefactors. 

Katie King, Event Sales Manager for Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy, says the event calendar is busier than you might think: the Center, Schenley Plaza and the Frick Environmental Center hosted 140 events in 2025. “We see anything from large festivals, fundraisers and 5k walks to smaller, more intimate celebrations,” King says. “It’s nice to have people use the parks in different spaces and be able to create those memories.”

While the City of Pittsburgh owns Schenley Park, the nonprofit Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy manages and operates its Visitor Center in Oakland. In turn, the Conservancy can rent the center and reinvest the revenue in upkeep. 

“That’s one cool fact about renting—you are directly supporting the Visitor Center in Schenley,” says King, whose job includes overseeing rentals. “You’re helping to keep the lights on and let us provide more resources for people going in the parks.”

There’s also been a surge of interest in using the space for corporate retreats or working days for small groups from the local universities. Organizations who rent the space can also add on volunteer opportunities or wellness activities led by Visitor Center staff. 

As one of the Center’s preferred caterers, Bistro has a lot of opportunities to enjoy the space, too. “Bistro is very good at supporting our work, whether it be our programs that we’re running or private rentals,” King says.

The Center runs its own occasional programming as well such as Animal Encounters—where visitors can meet iguanas, owls and other interesting animals for free—and summertime beer gardens.

Outside of events public and private, the Center serves as a hub for Schenley Park. It’s open every day from 9-6. It has grab-and-go beverages and snacks as well as a seasonal gift shop. There are hiking maps for those passing through, public restrooms and enough space in the café to study. King says, “You’re still tucked on the edge of Schenley, so it’s quiet and gives you that that peaceful working space.”