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WHEREAS, in 1996, in Pittsburgh, the gifts of historic urban parks, created by Pittsburgh’s industrialist wealth, were in great jeopardy because of deteriorating conditions and financial instability to maintain them. Taking a great leap of faith, and leaving a highly successful career at WQED as Publisher of Pittsburgh Magazine and 18 years as General Counsel , Meg Cheever set out to launch the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy ;and,
WHEREAS, born in Boston, MA, educated at Wellesley and receiving her law degree at Boston University School of Law, Meg Cheever used her business acumen, donor contacts, the support of her family and a strong commitment to the success of the Conservancy concept to promote a bold entrepreneurial idea….to create a private entity, modeled on the success of New York Central Park Conservancy, to raise funds and partner with the city to save the parks; and,
WHEREAS, the mission of the Parks Conservancy is improving quality of life for the people of Pittsburgh by restoring the park system to excellence in partnership with government and community, conducting projects and programs with respect for the environment, historic design and the needs of a diverse region. Meg Cheever, as the Founding President and Chief Executive Officer of the Parks Conservancy has guided the Conservancy’s strategic vision and under her leadership has established an award winning public-private partnership with the City of Pittsburgh, undertaken a master plan for the parks system and raised more than $107 million and completed 17 major capital projects ;and,
WHEREAS, honored with numerous awards and recognitions including a Distinguished Daughter of Pennsylvania, the Fred Coombs Memorial Award and the Place Keeper Award from the Foundation for Landscape Studies, Meg Cheever has parlayed her skills and strategic vision to create a legacy of great and lasting magnitude for her adopted city.
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NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh does hereby recognize that it owes a debt of immense gratitude to the gifted woman whose vision, knowledge, drive and courage spearheaded the stabilization and growth of the City’s Parks System.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh does hereby declare Tuesday, May 22, 2018 to be “MEG CHEEVER DAY” in the City of Pittsburgh.