Mellon Park is a public greenery straddling the neighborhoods of Point Breeze and Shadyside in Pittsburgh, more specifically at the intersection of Shady Avenue and Fifth Avenue. The park is just a stone?s throw away from another Pittsburgh landmark, the Pittsburgh Center for the Arts. The park?s main attraction is the Walled Garden. It also plays host to numerous year-round events. A number of recreational amenities can also be found in the park. Visiting the park is very easy as several buses operate within the vicinity. Mellon Park is also included in the Pittsburgh History and Landmarks Foundation?s official list.

Mellon Park was created in 1943 on the site of an estate previously owned by Richard B. Mellon. The said estate used to be the biggest mansion in the entire city. The estate?s original garden was made by Alden and Harlow in 1912. Many other landscape experts infused their own style into the garden which included the renowned Olmsted Brothers of the New York Central Park. During World War II, Mellon?s impressive mansion was ruined, but majority of the beautiful garden withstood the war. The garden was converted to City Park before finally becoming the Mellon Park as we know it today.

Mellon Park?s main highlight is the seemingly mysterious Walled Garden which is fenced by walls made of limestone and brick, plus a lone Gothic wall. The other wall is actually part of the ruins of Mellon?s destroyed mansion. A beautiful fountain can be found between the walled Garden and the remainder of the park. The Walled Garden was conceptualized by Vitale and Geiffart.

Within the Walled Garden is a rather distinct memorial to pay tribute to Ann Katherine Seamans. Seamans was a great patron of the park who visited the Walled Garden day in and day out ever since she was a kindergarten. Spearheaded by the Mellon Park Project, the team tapped into the expertise of Janet Zweig, who transformed the garden?s floor into a faithful representation of the Pittsburgh sky during Ann?s birthday. Now, the garden floor glitters with 150 lights representing stars accompanied by a short description about each star. People can actually adopt a star by making a donation.

Virtually anyone can stage an event in Mellon Park as long as it is sanctioned by the Pittsburgh?s Department of Public Works. A yearly event that has been held here is A Fair in the Park which began in 1969. The said fair is a modern craft bazaar plus an intimate concert.

For the sports buff, the Mellon Park houses the Mellon Park Tennis Center, several baseball fields and basketball courts. There is a playground for the children and for the arts enthusiast, the Pittsburgh Center for the Arts can be found within the park?s vicinity.