In my latest post over on No Unsacred Place, I gush about the amazing, evolving story of Phipps Conservatory, a local “green” garden conservatory and greenhouse in the heart of Pittsburgh, inspired by a recent video they shared in their membership e-newsletter about their continuing plans to transform Phipps into a “living building” through sustainable landscape and architecture:
I am blessed to live in the beautiful, thrice-rivered city of Pittsburgh in the foothills of the Allegheny Mountains in western Pennsylvania. My partner Jeff and I share a small apartment less than a block away from Frick Park, the largest wooded park in the city, and only a twenty minute walk away from Schenley Park, the second largest park in the city and home to Phipps Conservatory. We spend a lot of time hillwalking and hiking through the woods of Frick, exploring the nine-mile wetland preservation area or simply enjoying the gravel bike paths that loop around children’s playgrounds and off-leash fields where our neighbors bring their dogs for some joyful romping.
But on rainy days like today, and especially during the long winter months when green is scarce in the woods, we love to head on over to Phipps to indulge in some “green therapy.” We’ll walk through the labyrinthine rooms full to bursting of lovingly tended plants, breathing in the fresh, earth-scented air and marveling at the colors and textures of a garden oasis in the midst of the grays, browns and icy whites of winter. Phipps has been a sanctuary for me ever since moving out to Pittsburgh, and it was where Jeff and I went on our first “official” date. So it makes sense that we might be a bit sentimental about it.
I decided to show my gratitude by bragging here on No Unsacred Place about the magic of the Phipps Conservatory and its vision of a sustainable, earth-friendly future. What earth-friendly projects, places and people are you most grateful for? How do you show your gratitude for the awesome efforts in your local community?
Alison Leigh Lilly 