Pittsburgh Botanic Garden

Our Mission

The mission of the Pittsburgh Botanic Garden is to inspire people to grow through immersion in a world of natural outdoor wonder to nourish mind, body and spirit. The Garden is already setting an example of stewardship by transforming 460 acres of abandoned mining property. The Pittsburgh Botanic Garden (PBG) holds a renewable $1/year 99 year lease from Allegheny County on the land, 20 minutes west of downtown Pittsburgh, next door to Settler's Cabin Park. The PBG is moving forward on two fronts. The first and long-term front involves the middle and southern portion of the site which is under a complete reclamation program. Even as that work continues, we will begin to develop the display and educational gardens in this area, including the first and only Mr. Roger's Garden of Make Believe, the Orangery and an amphitheater. The PBG's second front is focused on the 60 acres on the northern part of the site which features forested ridges and some meadows. Restoration of the Woodlands was started in 2010 and, to date, more than 20 acres of invasive species were cleared, over 5,200 native trees, shrubs and perennials planted, three miles of trails built including one mile of ADA accessible trails, several children's play & discovery stations were constructed, and a polluted pond was restored to life. The Woodland Gardens are adjacent to a historic homestead, recently added by the County to the Botanic Garden lease. The Pioneer Farmstead provides the front door for the Garden while reclamation continues. The 1870s barn is under renovation to serve as the Bayer Welcome Center and the 1784 log cabin, namesake for the nearby Settlers Cabin County Park, will be used for programming. A Heritage Apple Orchard, Pioneer Three Sisters Garden and other amenities will also grace the area. The Woodlands of the World Garden and the Pioneer Farmstead will open to the general public in the summer of 2014. Tours of the site are available. Education and volunteer programs are underway - for all ages. It is a grass-roots project, built by many volunteers and supported by individuals from the tri-state area. The Garden demonstrates the interdependence of plants, animal and man and our reliance on the natural environment, while fostering an understanding of basic botany and ecology.