660 Acres Donated to Pittsburgh to Become City's Largest Park

The city of Pittsburgh is celebrating the conveyance of 660 acres of property known as Hays Woods. The property will one day become the largest park in the city.

2 minute read

June 15, 2016, 6:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Hays Woods

A distant look at the Hays Woods Bald Eagles' Nest. | ccbarr / Flickr

"A 660-acre site that once was to be the home of a thoroughbred horse racing track, a casino, a hotel, restaurants and other development now will become the largest park in Pittsburgh," reports Mark Belko.

"Pittsburgh Development Group II, the site owner, is conveying the entire property, including mineral rights, to the city, which plans to use most of it for a park. A small portion also might be used for residential development," adds Belko.

The article presents the donation of the property, which includes streams, valleys, and even a waterfall, as a historic event for the city. The city plans "to work with foundations, conservation and environmental groups to secure a conservation easement to protect the land." The mineral rights included in the conveyance mean "the city can prevent drilling for oil or gas on the site."

In follow-up coverage, Diana Nelson Jones tours the site as it currently exists, before it begins to take shape in the imagination and the reality of Pittsburgh. According to Nelson Jones, the property is known currently as the Hays Woods, and "it’s a wild, overgrown uphill, downhill of deep woods, meadows, cliffs, views, deer scat, darting birds, dragonflies, butterflies, knotweed, old trees, junk trees and wetlands of reeds, rushes and cattails."

The Hays Woods are perhaps most well known for its Bald Eagle's nest, which is visible in real-time on PixController's webcam.

Thursday, June 9, 2016 in Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Use Code 25for25 at checkout for 25% off an annual plan!

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

May 7, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Person in yellow safety suit and white helmet kneels to examine water samples outdoors on a lake shore.

USGS Water Science Centers Targeted for Closure

If their work is suspended, states could lose a valuable resource for monitoring, understanding, and managing water resources.

May 1, 2025 - Inside Climate News

Aerial view of Freeway Park cap park over I-5 interstate freeway in Seattle, Washington at night.

Congress Moves to End Reconnecting Communities and Related Grants

The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee moved to rescind funding for the Neighborhood Equity and Access program, which funds highway removals, freeway caps, transit projects, pedestrian infrastructure, and more.

April 30, 2025 - Streetsblog USA

Person stepping over hole in sidewalk.

Portland Council Tentatively Approves Sidewalk Repair Plan

The proposal would address sidewalk needs in Portland’s District 1 and District 4.

May 12 - Oregon Public Broadcasting

6-story building at Honolulu Community College.

Expanding Access to Design Education at Honolulu Community College

Honolulu Community College’s Architecture, Engineering & Construction Technologies program highlights the role of community colleges in preparing nontraditional students for careers in architectural and construction technologies.

May 12 - University of Hawai'i News

"Radiation Zone, Keep Out" sign on wood post with red Arizona desert mesa in background

Integrating Human Rights Into Energy and Extractive Sector Transitions

Why just transition efforts must move beyond economic considerations by embedding human rights principles into business practices to ensure equitable, transparent, and accountable outcomes for affected communities and workers.

May 12 - Cambridge University Press

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.