Thrive Outside Pittsburgh is building a regional ecosystem that expands access to outdoor recreation, strengthens youth development pathways, and activates the region’s parks and public spaces as engines of social impact. Rooted in the belief that outdoor experiences are vital to physical health, emotional well-being, and lifelong learning, this initiative connects youth and families across Pittsburgh to regular, meaningful engagement with nature.

This effort unites city, county, and state agencies, educators, recreation providers, and community-based organizations to advance a shared vision: ensuring that all youth can confidently explore and thrive outdoors.

The initiative is structured around three interconnected committees that collectively drive systems-level change: the Youth Committee, which integrates exploratory outdoor education into school systems and bridges classroom experiences with afterschool and summer programming; the Regional Outdoor Recreation Committee, which aligns public agencies and partners to strengthen investment and coordination across the region’s recreation infrastructure; and the Events Committee, which cultivates public enthusiasm for outdoor recreation through community-facing experiences.

Together, these strategies are positioning Pittsburgh as a national model for how cross-sector collaboration can remove barriers, normalize outdoor engagement as part of healthy child development, and build a sustainable foundation for equitable access to nature for generations to come.