Proposal to allow youth groups to camp in Pittsburgh parks moves forward

Pittsburgh City Council on Wednesday advanced legislation that would allow youth groups to camp in city parks.

The measure would allow youth organizations to secure permits to camp in city parks, something that isn’t allowed now, said Kathryn Vargas, director of the Department of Parks and Recreation.

“Right now, if you want to go camping, it’s not the most accessible activity. This will make it something that will be accessible for young people,” Vargas said.

Current rules prohibit people from being in city parks after hours, and visitors aren’t allowed to build temporary shelters, essentially making camping in city parks illegal, Vargas said.

“We could be changing the life of a young person who realizes how much they love the outdoors,” Vargas said of the legislation.

City Council unanimously supported the measure in a preliminary vote Wednesday, and the legislation could be ready for a final vote as early as next week.

“I think it sounds great to open up our parks to children who really don’t have the ability to travel 100 miles north and camp like I did when I was a kid,” Councilman Anthony Coghill said. “I think some of the best things I learned in life were from camping.”

Coghill suggested waiving permitting fees or finding other groups to pay them for low-income young people who want to camp in city parks, a measure Vargas supported.

Several details of the measure are still being ironed out, Vargas said. The legislation would direct Parks and Recreation to come up with regulations and guidelines, including details about when and where campfires may be permitted, permitting fees and enforcement details.

Council President Theresa Kail-Smith questioned why the legislation specified that camping must be done through an organization, suggesting it should be opened up to families. Vargas said they would consider expanding the measure.