Make A Difference in Greenfield

Volunteer opportunities in Greenfield

It’s National 311 Day!

This entry was posted in 311 Make A Difference in Greenfield Uncategorized on

Call, text, email, or tweet to the City of Pittsburgh’s 311 to report non-emergency issues…today and everyday.

Pothole? Dangerous intersection? Broken sidewalk? Faded crosswalk or bike lane? Missing sewer cover or clogged drain? There are plenty of reasons to contact 311 and many ways to do it.

Here’s how:

MyBurgh App: Available from iTunes or Google Play for whatever device you use, this is a great way to submit issues. The app automatically geolocates your issue and keeps track of your request. (Plus, you’ll always know when it’s recycling week.)

Twitter: Submit requests at any time to the 311 Response Center on Twitter by tweeting at @PGH311

Text: Leave a voice or text message for the 311 Response Center by dialing or texting 412-328-2771

Telephone: In the City of Pittsburgh, dial 3-1-1. Outside of Pittsburgh, call 412-255-2621. All calls to 311 are answered by a live operator from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Online 311 Request Form: On the City of Pittsburgh’s website, use the webform to submit a complaint.

Dashcam for Your Bike: Safe street advocate in Lawrenceville, Armin Samii, developed a lightweight app for cyclists that works like a car dash cam. Download and give it a try – it’s lightweight and automatically sends 311 reports when a hazard or obstruction is detected in the bike lane. Available for iOS and Android. Thanks, Armin!!

Reporting broken bollards with a phone – photo shamelessly borrowed from Bike PGH’s blog. Thanks for your advocacy!

Use 311 to report and track issues you see in Greenfield any day you’re out. It helps both the city and us, as a neighborhood, identify, track, and resolve our issues. In the event of a real emergency, contact 9-1-1.

Get involved with the GCA!

This entry was posted in Make A Difference in Greenfield Organization News on

The GCA is seeking neighbors looking to improve and build community in Greenfield.

Your work with the Greenfield Community Association will directly impact our neighborhood. From beautifying our community with flower planting and clean-ups to making Greenfield safer for pedestrians, bikers and drivers – volunteering your time is rewarding and fun at the same time.

Fill out our interest form to get started – https://forms.gle/unKYXz85TrSPUXKd7

💚

Ronald Street Garden: Thank You, Volunteers!

This entry was posted in Make A Difference in Greenfield on
Volunteers clear the Ronald Street garden, 24 Oct 2020 (photo by David Cashmere)

26 October 2020

From David Cashmere, GCA Board member and Public Spaces Committee, 26 October 2020:

The GCA-Public Spaces Committee wants to thank and recognize all the volunteers who helped this year. It was fantastic to work with familiar and new volunteers! Considering the Covid circumstances we were always pleasantly surprised by community involvement.

The timing was excellent this month to pull these gardens and prepare the local green spaces for Spring. We can’t wait for the Spring Blooms of 2021.

Good Job Greenfield!

— David Cashmere, GCA
Ronald Street Garden, ready for winter, 24 Oct 2020 (photo by David Cashmere)

Irvine Garden: Great Year!

This entry was posted in Make A Difference in Greenfield on

From David Cashmere, GCA Board member and Public Spaces Committee, 18 October 2020:

Thank you, everyone, for your gardening efforts again this year. From the 1st planting to yesterday’s pullout the Irvine garden always looked great.

This is a pivotal intersection for travel to and from Pittsburgh and surrounding neighborhoods. I do believe having this space colorful, neat and orderly does lift spirits as folks pass by. Even if they do not realize it I think it generates peace and calm to anyone looking at it!

The team yesterday was fantastic and we wrapped up by 11:30. In addition to the pullout we also planned for next year with tree pruning (thank you Ed!) and planting new bulbs (great job Jose & Jose).

— David Cashmere, GCA

Thank You, Kimicata Brothers Landscaping

This entry was posted in Make A Difference in Greenfield on
Greenfield Portal, Landscape maintenance by Kimicata Brothers Landscaping

Ten years ago the Greenfield community embarked on a redesign of the Beechwood Boulevard/Ronald/Algers Street neighborhood portal. This wide intersection was first designed for a sign and landscaping in the 1980’s as part of a neighborhood wide public relations effort to raise the image and profile of Greenfield and market the neighborhood to passing commuters.  The sign was fabricated by neighborhood woodworkers.  The landscaping was installed and maintained by Kimicata Brothers Landscaping, a Greenfield/Hazelwood based landscaping firm serving the community since 1929.

The new 2012 design addressed the deteriorated condition of the existing portal.  The design included a new welcoming sign embedded in a lush landscaping of annuals, grasses and perennials.  The key to the success of any landscape installation is maintenance — spring and fall planting preparations, and summer weeding and watering.  Greenfield was fortunate to have Paul Kimicata recommit his expertise and resources to the pro bono maintenance of the new landscaping.  

The Greenfield neighborhood appreciates this commitment and thanks Paul and Kimicata Brothers Landscaping for their continued dedication to the Greenfield neighborhood. The planting bed looks as good today as it did the first day thanks to the work of Paul’s employees.

Thank you to …

Kimicata Brothers Landscaping, Design-Build-Maintenance & Irrigation Experts

Ronald Street Garden Ready for “Green Phase”

This entry was posted in Make A Difference in Greenfield on

Thanks to GCA’s Public Spaces Committee the Ronald Street Garden is green and ready to bloom just in time for the COVID-19 GREEN phase beginning tomorrow, 5 June 2020, in Allegheny County.

Volunteers prepared the garden last weekend while practicing social distancing. What a great job they did!

A big Thank You to everyone involved.

(photos from David Cashmere)

(*) WTAE explains the Green Phase here.)

Pumphouse Garden is Ready For Spring

This entry was posted in Make A Difference in Greenfield on

From David Cashmere, GCA Public Spaces Committee:

Sunday 17 May 2020:

Yesterday’s gardening effort at the Pumphouse was fantastic and all went smoothly as we worked in three major waves of volunteers.

Thank you to the Conservancy staff for keeping things moving & ensuring all the gardens in Pittsburgh are being planted! Also … and most importantly thank you so much to all of you who came out yesterday! It was laid out well for us to work together & I must say I enjoyed seeing this “outside synergy”!

From the early risers to our final phase clean up folks – you were all amazing – so everyone here please enjoy the image of our final product. As you’ll see it’s perfect and ready to bloom for the seasons.

Covid-19 cannot stop GCA-Public-Spaces & Spring!!!

Give Help, Get Help: COVID-19 Buddies

This entry was posted in Make A Difference in Greenfield on
Grocery helper (clipart from kindpng.com)

Here are ways that you can give help to those who are homebound -or- get help if you cannot go out during the COVID-19 crisis.

  • Give Help:
    • Pittsburgh Cares COVID-19 is looking for volunteers to help those who need a “buddy” to run errands, share news, check in, etc. Visit the Pittsburgh Cares Buddy Form or email info@pittsburghcares.org, or call 412-471-2114 x200.
    • The JCC continues to contact hundreds of older adults each week through wellness checks. If you are interested in volunteering, please call the Jewish Federation volunteer program at 412-992-5209.
    • JCC Blood Drives continue this month by appointment. Click here for more information on how you can help.
  • Get Help:
    • If you need someone to help you during this time, click on the Pittsburgh Cares Buddy Form and choose “I would like to RECEIVE a buddy (you need the help of a buddy)” at the bottom.
    • The JCC Agewell program is provides lunch to go. Click here for more information.