South Side Slopes Neighborhood Association

"Neighbors working together to make the Slopes a more livable, beautiful, and safe community"

Category: News

  • 2025 Board Updates

    The South Side Slopes Neighborhood Association (SSSNA) is excited to announce its updated Board of Directors as of our Annual meeting on March 11, 2025.

    Re-elected board members were: Hannah Lewandowski, Kristin Raup, Fritz Swartzbaugh, and Coralee Toal.

    We also welcomed new board member, Donna Tarkett. Donna previously served on the SSSNA Board from 2016 to 2021, and she is the steward of the Bandi Schaum Community Garden.

    We wish our sincere thanks to Blake McLaren who served on the SSSNA board since 2016, and stepped down this year.

  • South Side Slopes Announces Vibrant Mural at Park Entrance

    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.org

    About 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • March 2024 Meeting Agenda

    SSSNA General Meeting Agenda
    March 12th, Kollar Club, 6:30pm

    1. Slopes Winter Survey Results
    2. Pittsburgh Police Zone 3 – Officer Morante
    3. South Side Park and Eleanor Street Park update – Neighborhood Engagement Coordinator Chastity Bey
    4. City Councilor Bob Charland
    5. State Representative Jess Benham
    6. 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

  • Arlington Rec Center Mural Update

    Arlington Rec Center Mural Update

    See more info about the mural at www.southsideslopes.org/mural

  • Welcome New Board Member

    The South Side Neighborhood Association is very excited to introduce new board member Dr Coralee Toal.
    Coralee moved to Pittsburgh in 2018 from Oklahoma and then to the South Side Slopes in 2020. Coralee is an OB/GYN for Magee hospital and enjoys biking, skiing, and balloon arch making. She lives in the Slopes with her husband, Austin, and their rescue dog Collins.
    You’ll find Coralee walking around the neighborhood with her pup and a trash bag, as she believes in keeping the streets clean.
    So please join us in welcoming this incredible neighbor to our board!


    There are now two openings for 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.

  • 2022 Slopes Board Updates

    The South Side Slopes Neighborhood Association (SSSNA) is excited to announce its updated Board of Directors as of our Annual meeting on March 8, 2022.

    We wish a heartfelt thank you to our retiring board members Denise Fillip and Brian Oswald. We are thankful for their combined decades of volunteering with the South Side Slopes. They will continue to be involved in the association, especially with the Dirty Dozen Hot Chocolate Stop and StepTrek.

    Re-elected board members were: Cara Jette, Gavin Robb, Lucia Sanchez-Madrigal, and Jami Szalla. We also welcome two new board members, Marc Bowman and Andrew Fetzko.

    Marc Bowman lives on Shelly Street, near the Oakley Street Mosaic Steps. He’s into running, mountain biking, walking around outside, video games and technology in general, and he is a senior web developer at Pitt’s School of Medicine. Marc has served on several boards and committees, including The Friends of South Park, The Whitehall Wildlife Management Committee, and he currently serves on the board of a 501(c)(3) non-profit known as Vegan Pittsburgh (veganpittsburgh.org). Expect more vegan options at our events going forward!

    Andrew Fetzko has been a resident of the South Side since 1993. He graduated from Duquesne University and owned the retail store, Head Board Shop, a skate and snowboard shop on Carson St. from 1994 to 2014, which grew to 5 locations in the Pittsburgh area. In addition to retail sales, he did logistics and promotions for dozens of community events and music festivals, including fundraising for Pitcher Memorial Skate Park, a public skatepark in Carnegie. Andrew is also an ICC certified Building Inspector and is currently employed at Legal Tax Service, a municipal billing and law firm servicing the mid Mon Valley, where he oversees the lien dept. in recovery of delinquent taxes and municipal service fees. In 2018, he and his wife, Steph moved to Windom Street, from Sidney St., becoming official South Side Slopes residents. Andy is looking forward to helping improve the day-to-day quality of life in our great neighborhood.

    There are now two openings for 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.

  • Light the Night Winners

    Thanks to our winners and all our neighbors who helped make the Slopes brighter this holiday season. Happy new year!

  • 1st Annual Slopes Photo Contest is now open!

    Do you have a photo of the neighborhood that you love and want to share? Enter your best photos (up to three) of the South Side Slopes for a chance to win a gift card and to be featured in a printed 2022 calendar. The photo calendar will be for sale this fall.

    LEARN MORE AND SUBMIT PHOTOS