Bone and Joint Health Bulletin #3: Pittsburgh Parks

Have you ever taken the time to thoroughly explore everything that Pittsburgh parks have to offer? 

Not many cities have more beautiful parks than Pittsburgh. Our numerous offerings of urban green spaces throughout the city are truly spectacular and serve several important purposes. Just last year, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette released an article stating that Pittsburgh parks were ranked 15th in the nation based on their closeness to residents, amenities, access acreage and investment. This is wonderful to hear, but what is it that makes Pittsburgh parks so great?

Many lifelong residents of Pittsburgh may be shocked to learn about everything that the parks have to offer. Thankfully, the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy has a wonderful website that lists detailed information about each of the parks and what you can expect when you visit. On this website, they also have a detailed calendar with events that are planned at each park in the city. The following events are some of our favorites that are upcoming. We highly recommend that you register for these events and let us know how they go! Each of them have some kind of health benefit as well. Enjoy!

Allegheny Commons Plant Walk
Every Friday evening from now through September 3rd, Allegheny Commons Park on the North Side hosts a “Plant Walk.” This guided walk begins at 6pm, and starts at the Northeast Fountain in the park. The event lasts an hour and gives you the chance to enjoy and learn about the plants throughout the park. Edible and useable plants will also be indicated. Come enjoy a fun, informative exercise through one of Pittsburgh’s prettiest parks!

Fit HIIT
Every Wednesday afternoon from August 25th through September 29th, UPMC Health Plan sponsors Fit HIIT, which stands for “High Intensity Interval Training.” This event is designed to give you top notch fitness results within the shortest period of time. The class runs from 5pm-6pm each week at Schenley Plaza, right across the street from the Cathedral of Learning in Oakland. It focuses on cardiovascular endurance and challenges you to reach a higher intensity though individual rounds of exercise. Each round of exercise is followed by a rest period. Most importantly, the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy website notes that the “class is designed so anyone can push themselves no matter their fitness level.”

Folding Space Yoga - Power Vinyasa
Each Saturday morning from now through September 25th, UPMC Health Plan sponsors a workout yoga class at Schenley Plaza in Oakland. The yoga instructors demonstrate poses during class and give detailed instructions on how to breathe correctly while you participate. The goal of the class is to strengthen your body while also calming your mind. All you need to bring at 10am each Saturday is yourself and a yoga mat! This class promises to be a great workout no matter what your current yoga abilities are.

All three of these events are perfect for anyone looking to get outside, enjoy Pittsburgh’s beautiful parks, and exercise while doing so. All you need to do is register ahead of time. Click here to view the full calendar of events and find a date that works for you. There are several other events you can check out as well. Let us know when you register, and how the events go!