We wish you a happy holidays from the South Side Slopes Neighborhood Association. Thanks to everyone who has joined us in 2024 for a party, a meeting, or a volunteer event. We hope to see even more faces in 2025!
Author: Web Master
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South Side Slopes Holiday Light Up Event
The South Side Slopes Neighborhood Association wants you to showcase your holiday spirit with a home decorating and light up event!
A local photographer will take photos of the neighborhood between December 16-30, 2024. If you would like to have your house photographed and show off your holiday and neighborhood spirit, please register at the link below by December 14 so we can snap a photo of your house and include you in the photo album we’ll share with everyone on our email list and through our social media channels.
Get Clark Griswold crazy or keep it classy! (It’s not a contest or a light fight). Happy Holidays!
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South Side Slopes Announces Vibrant Mural at Park Entrance
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
South Side Slopes Neighborhood Association Announces New Mural at Arlington Recreation Center to Highlight Entrance to South Side Park
Pittsburgh, PA – 11/19/2024 – The South Side Slopes Neighborhood Association (SSSNA), in collaboration with Friends of South Side Park (FOSSP), is thrilled to announce the upcoming unveiling of a vibrant mural at the Hilltop entrance of South Side Park. This new artwork, created by local artist Roberto “Max” Maxwell, has transformed the blank wall of the Arlington Recreation Center, revitalizing the entrance to Pittsburgh’s hidden 65-acre gem.
The mural aims to create a more welcoming atmosphere and encourage greater use of this under-utilized park entrance. Located in a neighborhood and building that has long been plagued by graffiti, the mural will deter vandalism and provide a safer, more inviting gateway into the park for both residents and visitors. South Side Park is the largest park serving the communities of Arlington and the South Side Slopes, offering trails, playgrounds, and scenic views of downtown Pittsburgh.
About the Artist
Roberto “Max” Maxwell, a tattoo and mural artist with deep ties to the South Side Slopes, is the creative force behind the mural. Max, who has lived in the neighborhood for over 20 years, brings a unique blend of urban and community-inspired art to his work. His murals across Pittsburgh are known for their vibrant color schemes and celebration of local culture. Drawing inspiration from his New York roots and his adopted community’s feedback, Max has crafted a design that captures the spirit of South Side Park.
Community-Driven Design
The mural’s design reflects input gathered from a 2023 community survey, where residents shared their vision for the artwork. As a result, the mural incorporates whimsical elements such as dinosaurs riding an incline—a playful nod to the park’s former “Jurassic Valley” nickname—and scenes depicting the natural beauty of the park’s landscape. Local wildlife like deer, rabbits, and foxes feature prominently.
Project Milestones
The project has received enthusiastic support from the local community, with design drafts presented at various neighborhood events, including the SSSNA Summer Picnic and Holiday Party. The City of Pittsburgh Public Art & Civic Design (PACD) Commission approved the mural in April 2024, followed by City Council approval in May. The project is funded through a $10,000 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), which covers artist fees and materials.
In July 2024, the City’s Department of Public Works primed the wall, and the mural was completed soon after. Residents and visitors are encouraged to visit the park and view the mural in person.
View photos and more information about the mural here: https://www.southsideslopes.org/mural/
For media inquiries or additional information, please contact:
Email: info@southsideslopes.org
Website: www.southsideslopes.orgAbout South Side Slopes Neighborhood Association
The South Side Slopes Neighborhood Association works to improve the quality of life for residents of Pittsburgh’s South Side Slopes through neighborhood beautification, public art projects, and community engagement initiatives. -
2024 SSSNA Flower Contest
Do you love to garden? Are you excited to show off your green thumb this year? Then enter the South Side Slopes Flower Contest, open to all Slopes residents!
Focusing on the front-facing façade of your home, we will have $100 giftcard prizes for:- Best Simple Planter – for those with little space but go above and beyond with a single pot or window box
- Best Front Garden – for those who have more than a simple planter and want to go all in
- Most Popular – where your vote will determine the best out there!
The space must be at least 80% green (we love a good statue but we want to see your green thumbs at work.) Also, it must be visible from the street or a public space.
Submissions must be in by Sunday, July 28th, with garden spaces to be ready to photograph by Friday, August 9th. Photographs would likely be taken over the weekend of August 9th, or the next sunny day.
Voting will occur between August 26th to September 2nd and winners will be announced by Friday September 6th.
Feeling like trekking it? Maps will be available on Social Media around August 26th.Can’t wait to beautify the neighborhood with you!
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May 14, 2024 General Meeting Agenda
Join us at the Kollar Club (3226 Jane St., 15203) at 6:30pm on Tuesday May 14, 2024.
- Police Zone 3 update
- City Council Update
- Office of the Mayor update
- State’s 36th District update
- Mural at Arlington Recreation Center
- Summer Activities Announcements:
- Summer Flower Contest 2024
- Summer Picnic – 7/9/2024
- Goatfest – 7/27/2024
- National Night Out – 8/6/2024
- Committee Reports
- Beautification – June Cleanup – 6/12/2024
- StepTrek – Meeting 5/16/2024
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Slopes 2024 Winter Survey Results
What You Love About the South Side Slopes! Thanks to everyone who filled out the survey and especially to everyone attending our meetings and other events. We received 34 responses.
In general, everyone who responded loves living in the Slopes! Top highlights were the neighbors, the convenience and accessibility, and the natural environment combined with our amazing views.
There were 3 main areas of concerns, and honestly, none of them are a surprise. All of them we do attempt to address via the Neighborhood Association.
1. Infrastructure and Maintenance:
- Road repairs and maintenance were mentioned by several respondents, indicating a desire for better road conditions.
- Specific mentions include the need for improved snow/ice removal, repairing broken or uneven stairs, and addressing overgrowth on stairs.
- The SSSNA encourages all neighbors to call 311 for these maintenance issues. If you are not getting a response, the office of city councilor Bob Charland can help you get heard.
2. Community Safety and Quality of Life:
- Safety concerns were prominent, with mentions of speeding cars, violence, drug-related activities, and homeless encampments.
- Traffic management and enforcement of parking rules were highlighted as areas needing improvement.
- Suggestions were made for more community events and activities.
- The SSSNA hopes to see you at our next general meeting, Summer picnic, or a future event! We always invite our elected officials to all our events.
3. Litter and Environmental Issues:
- Several respondents expressed concerns about littering, trash, and the presence of abandoned properties.
- Suggestions included more cleanup efforts, graffiti removal, and initiatives to tackle absentee landlords and vacant properties.
- The SSSNA hosts cleanups throughout the warm seasons to help cleanup our neighborhood.
If you filled out the survey and specified that you were interested in cleanups, StepTrek or the board, we will make sure you are on the right lists, so you are notified how to get involved! If you are interested in getting more involved, please email info@southsideslopes.org.
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2024 Slopes Board Updates
Annual SSSNA Meeting at the Kollar Club The South Side Slopes Neighborhood Association (SSSNA) is excited to announce its updated Board of Directors as of our Annual meeting on March 12, 2024.
Re-elected board members were: Cara Jette, Gavin Robb, Lucia Sanchez-Madrigal, Jami Szalla, Marc Bowman and Andrew Fetzko. We also welcomed new board member, Hannah Lewandowski.
Hanna moved to Pittsburgh and directly into the Slopes in 2018 and immediately knew this was the part of the city she would stay in. Hannah enjoys reading, working out, and trying the best and newest places for a cup of coffee or happy hour. She brings her passion to sharing the Slopes neighborhoods to her work in real estate and political campaigns always convincing someone to become a new neighbor.
There is now one opening for a Board positions. Please contact info@southsideslopes.org if you are interested in joining the Board or a committee. You must have attended 2 meetings or events in the last year to be eligible to join the Board of Directors.
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March 2024 Meeting Agenda
SSSNA General Meeting Agenda
March 12th, Kollar Club, 6:30pm- Slopes Winter Survey Results
- Pittsburgh Police Zone 3 – Officer Morante
- South Side Park and Eleanor Street Park update – Neighborhood Engagement Coordinator Chastity Bey
- City Councilor Bob Charland
- State Representative Jess Benham
- Committee Reports
A. StepTrek – First meeting in May
B. Outreach – Arlington Rec Center Mural Update
C. Beautification – First cleanup is 04/10, meeting at Bandi Schaum at 6:00pm
D. Governance – Board Elections
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Tell Us Your Thoughts!
The South Side Slopes Neighborhood Association (SSSNA) wants your feedback! We are an all-volunteer organization. Our mission is to maintain, foster and improve the quality of life, safety and unity of our Slopes neighborhood.
This short survey aims to capture your experiences, preferences, and suggestions, helping us to make informed decisions that support our community. Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts!
