The Role of Greenspace in Pittsburgh’s Transportation Equity Conversation Posted on February 3, 2020 by Masoud Sayles Currently, the City of Pittsburgh's Department of Mobility and Infrastructure (DOMI) is developing a Mobility Vision Plan for the next 50 years! While on its surface this may not seem like an environmental justice issue tied to vacant or disinvested land, the implications of this plan are incredibly far-reaching. As the main entity tasked with managing the city's transportation infrastructure, DOMI governs many aspects of your movement through your day-to-day life. In addition to the roads most of us use…Read More
WPXI Holiday Parade The Grounded team, along with some Ambassadors and Stewards, will be walking in the WPXI Parade this year! Join us downtown to watch to see us walk or watch us on TV!Read More
Community Keystones Posted on November 20, 2019 by Grounded Strategies Blog by Sean Cuff, Policy Fellow In early August, I interviewed CommunityCare Steward and long-time Larimer resident Tab Duckett outside his adopted lots near Thompson and Joseph Streets. He and his lawnmower have been fixtures of the community, and represent the outsized role neighbors have had to take on to keep their blocks maintained. He was born and raised in the neighborhood. In between at least ten horn honks, waves, and “hey there’s” with passersby, we talked about how the…Read More
Flowers Avenue GSI Planting Come help Grounded and residents of the Hazelwood community finish the green stormwater infrastructure implementation in Hazelwood. This day will focus on planting, mulching and adding protective fencing around small shrubs. Come help us make a difference in the lives of our neighbors!Read More
Work Day @ Morning Star Baptist Church-Hazelwood! Come join the Grounded team as we work alongside TMC-Pittsburgh's Hazelwood Platoon to finalize our year-long effort at The Morning Star Baptist Church! We will be completing the revitalization of the once-vacant lot next to the church before the weather gets too cold. Our goal is to do some planting, complete the youth activity area, and remove any trash and refuse from inside and outside of the church. Please come dressed in clothes you would not mind getting dirty! All…Read More
Planting Seeds for the Future Posted on October 7, 2019 by Masoud Sayles Pittsburgh, as the nation within which it resides, has a storied past awash with inequality. Both here and in the United States at large, a great deal of this inequity stems from the fact that the means of production (mainly land) are controlled by a small number of people relative to the total population. Historically, this has been the case for just about as long as this country has existed. As our worries mount in the face of climate instability,…Read More
GSI…. but why? Posted on September 30, 2019 by Masoud Sayles Background Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania is a city defined in large part by water: from the 3 large rivers that help to outline the city's center, to the snowfall that periodically graces this area's winters, this element shapes human life in the region. Historically, the waterways running through the Pittsburgh area have been used for transportation (both of people and goods), sustenance (through farming and fishing), and recreation, among other pursuits. However, the influence of water in this region is not only…Read More
Green Playce Workday at Manchester Academic Charter School This is a private workday that will entail putting some finishing touches on a Green Playce built this summer!Read More
Help Build a Rain Garden! Help Grounded Strategies build a rain garden. During this event, we will be focussing on de-sodding, earthmoving, and planting so come ready to get muddy with Grounded!Read More
Grounded in The Art Trap Posted on August 16, 2019 by wpengine The Art Trap: Trap + Paint is a monthly event curated by our Project Associate Kuwame Kinsel. In July, with support from Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, he presented it to over 120 patrons at the seasonal Cultural Trust Gallery Crawl. The goal of Art Trap to bring individuals from various social, economic, and cultural backgrounds together to create a safe space powered by art, culture, and entertainment. While out in the field, Kuwame noticed a trend of communities lacking self-care or…Read More
Geared Up and Grounded: Bike Tour & Block Party This year's 8th Bike Tour & Block Party event will feature Grounded's projects in Pittsburgh's eastern neighborhoods (East Liberty, Larimer, Homewood, and Wilkinsburg). At each stop, we will speak to community partners, learning about their journey and the transformation of vacant spaces into activated places. For those who do not have a bike, Healthy Ride bikes will be available for use! Prior to the start of the bike tour local bike shop, Waxwing Cycles will be there to provide free bike inspections.…Read More
Free NorthSide Land Lab Come to the Free Northside Land Lab Hosted at the Colab 18 for a great time! We will dine and have a discussion around advocacy, participatory budgets, and forming peoples assemblies. If you have an idea or a suggestion for your local councilman and women in regards to the "Vacant Land Epidemic" Please RSVP to attend the sessions 412-361-2099.Read More