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Panther Hollow residents and others urge council, mayor to address unauthorized skate park and park oversight
Summary
Multiple residents urged Pittsburgh leaders to act on an unauthorized skate park in Panther Hollow, alleging construction without permits, a lack of city oversight, and negative neighborhood impacts. Speakers called on Mayor Ed Gainey to decide whether to shut the facility and asked the council to address broader park governance and maintenance.
Several residents at the Nov. 3 Pittsburgh City Council meeting pressed officials to address an unauthorized skate park in Panther Hollow, alleging it was built without required permits or adequate city oversight.
"Integrity is spontaneous and habitual honesty," said Carlino Giampolo, a Panther Hollow resident, who told the council that no notice, permits, certificate of occupancy or assessments had been provided and asked Mayor Ed Gainey to act. "No assessments were made of the detrimental impacts such as noise and traffic," Giampolo said, adding that the city's position would be "indefensible" if the community pursues legal recourse.
Other residents described recurring noise and late‑night activity from the skate park. "What time were they doing it? Was it at night?" asked Jevon F. Brown, who said the late‑night noise had affected seniors and families in his neighborhood.
During public comment, Banksville resident David Tessitore praised city parks employees but urged the council to consider structural changes to how parks are managed. Tessitore said the current division of park oversight across multiple public bodies has created gaps in maintenance and cited Sheridan Park as an example. "We need to return to having parks under one management as it once was," he said.
The speakers attributed their concerns to local experience and called on elected officials to clarify who authorized the skate park, whether permits were issued, and what mitigation steps the city will require. Carlino Giampolo told the council he had earlier sought answers from Councilmember Barbara Warwick and said he had not received a response.
Councilmembers did not take immediate formal action on the skate park during the meeting. The matter was raised during the public‑comment period and will require follow‑up from staff or elected officials for any enforcement or policy response to be initiated.
