In the spring of 2024, UpstreamPgh and partners completed construction at the Dornbush Green Infrastructure Site. The site was built on two vacant lots on the corner of Dornbush and Bricelyn Streets in East Hills, Pittsburgh, and contains two linked rain gardens as well as underground water retention. It will capture rainwater flowing down Dornbush Street (the second steepest street in Pittsburgh) to lessen flooding and reduce the flow of water into our combined sewer system. We estimate the garden will capture 1.75 million gallons of stormwater annually, building climate resilience in an environmental justice community.
The garden is a block off of Frankstown Avenue, which was identified in 2016 in the Pittsburgh Water & Sewer Authority’s City-Wide Green First Plan as one of the top ten priorities for reducing street flooding. It is also the final component of the Rosedale Runoff Reduction Project, which included green stormwater sites at the Crescent Early Childhood Center and Oakwood and Batavia Streets.
A bird’s eye view of the site after it was completed in 2024
Completed project artist rendering
Partners
Department of Environmental Protection- Growing Greener Initiative
The Heinz Endowments
Urban Redevelopment Authority
Public Art
On Saturday, November 1st, we officially unveiled Sankofa Garden: Roots to a Brighter Future by Pittsburgh-area artist Marlana Adele Vassar!
This lavish and intricate sculptural relief now lives in UpstreamPgh’s Dornbush Rain Garden, and was inspired by the garden and the cultural identity of East Hills. Neighbors expressed that they wanted the art to be colorful, celebrate folklore, and show respect for the elders of the neighborhood while inspiring younger people.
Marlana created a series of eight sculptures with playful designs using durable, eco-friendly materials, primarily Paltiya cement. From the artist:
The story of the sculpture centers around a Sankofa bird character, who comes to life with bright colors that can be seen from multiple angles. The Sankofa bird pays respect to the elder tortoise, staying true to its purpose of looking back to honor and respect the past. The young turtle follows suit, representing our younger neighbors who can learn from and respect the elder residents of East Hills. The sculptures also incorporate a custom-stylized version of the Fafanto (butterflies), which serve as a gentle reminder to tread lightly on the environment. All of the characters exist in harmony, surrounded by stylized flowers and organic structures with vines and floral elements.
We want to thank Ms. Vassar for the time and hard work she put into the design, as well as everyone else who made this project possible, including Lauren Basing with Shiftworks Public and Community Arts, Diane Daniels with the East Hills Consensus Group, Betty Foster Pickney, and Donna Smith. This project was funded by the URA.
