The following are active working committees and task forces. We are seeking enthusiastic volunteers. There are lots of great ideas for projects to tackle on the Slopes. The more people that get involved, the more we can do together. Join us!
Please feel free to contact any of us with questions, concerns, ideas, and/or comments.
Beautification Committee
StepTrek Committee
Outreach Committee
Zoning, Housing, and City Services Committee
Governance Committee
Beautification Committee
Chairperson: info@SouthSideSlopes.org
The Beautification Committee addresses issues relative to making the Slopes a more beautiful place to live. Currently we have four permanent Community Gardens which are detailed on this site under “Gardens”. We attend to the planning, planting, maintenance and funding/resource support of these areas. Funding and volunteers permitting, we try to identify a new garden site(s) each Spring. If you have any ideas for a good garden spot on the slopes of South Side or would like to volunteer at one of the gardens, please let us know. Sarah Alessio Shea is the chairperson for this committee focused on our now five community gardens and 54 shade trees along Josephine Street. The two Western Pennsylvania Conservancy gardens were planted in May. Click here for an overview of our gardens and their history.
We are seeking volunteers to help plant, weed and tend the gardens. It takes less time with more people. There is a job for everyone, young and old alike! Please contact Sarah at her email address with questions. This is not the only opportunity to volunteer. Each year from April to late November SSSNA is out every week planting, watering, weeding, and pruning our many green spaces. We need your help! Any amount of time that you can give is worth a ton of satisfaction for all of us.
Outreach Committee
Chairperson: Jami.Szalla@SouthSideSlopes.org
The primary focus is increasing involvement as well as engaging active participation in SSSNA activities. The group focuses on many initiatives to connect Slopes residents and provide support as the mission is carried out: Neighbors working together to make the Slopes a more livable, beautiful and safe community. Your ideas and support are valued. If you wish to be involved or have thoughts to share, please contact Blake.
StepTrek Committee
Chairperson: Brian.Oswald@SouthSideSlopes.org
The StepTrek Committee is responsible for the extensive planning of the South Side Slopes showcase event of the year. StepTrek is the annual celebration of our hillside network of public stairways. This lively event unites and showcases our historic neighborhood. Designed as a moderate walk, StepTrek invites visitors to explore our community and experience the wonderful vistas of the South Side Slopes. All aspects of this event are planned and coordinated by the StepTrek Committee including advertising and marketing, the StepTrek routes, resident open houses along the way, sidewalk sales, tours of our churches, food, entertainment, prizes and other give-aways.
Zoning and City Services Committee
Chairperson: Gavin.Robb@SouthSideSlopes.org
This Committee works with the private sector and other interested parties to improve the housing stock on the Slopes by eliminating derelict properties, maintaining existing homes, and fostering home ownership. Also, SSSNA has representatives attend zoning hearings to promote responsible development of the Slopes. The committee helps to act as a unified voice of the neighborhood by coordinating our needs and resolving our problems with the appropriate government officials. SSSNA has a strong working relationship with the City of Pittsburgh as evidenced by our many Slopes Achievements.
Chairperson: Gavin.Robb@southsideslopes.org
The Governance Committee helps the Board to carry out its due diligence function related to healthy development and operation of the Board, its committees and task forces, and performance of the individual Board member.
Keep up to Date
Not ready to join a committee, but want to know what we’re doing? Sign up for our e-blast, like us on Facebook, and/or follow us on Twitter and Instagram!
Additional Concerns?
Please call 311 (phone line) or submit a request online if you have any issues that you feel the City should be dealing with in the neighborhood such as: clogged gutters and drains, broken steps and railings, cracked sidewalks, missing road signs, abandoned cars, abandoned homes, vacant littered lots, dumping sites, etc.
A more serious action to take in order to deal with a negligent property owner may be to file a Private Right of Action with the Pittsburgh Housing Court (412-255-2605). If you would like the SSSNA to be aware & help to follow up on an issue, feel free to contact us.
