Returning Vacant Land to Productive Use Connecting local residents with resources regarding property stewardship, acquisition, and ownership through various models. Hear from a representative of the County's Vacant Property Recovery Program and Attorney Wayne Cobb.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
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
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
Planting Seeds for the Future Posted on October 7, 2019 by [email protected] 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
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
GSI…. but why? Posted on September 30, 2019 by [email protected] 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
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
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
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
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
Democratic Vacant Land Processes Posted on February 21, 2019 by wpengine In its utopic form, democracy is facilitated through widely dispersed power. Widely dispersed power allows for the fair and equitable negotiation of sometimes conflicting interests. Through negotiation, people are able to find positions of true (rather than coerced) compromise. This form of democracy is only possible through community organizing and engagement. The combination of organizing and engagement is instrumental to democracy’s foundational need for fair and equitable representation. Through our Hill District program, Reclaim Central 2.0, we are attempting to…Read More