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Residents press council over Oakland DIY skate park, event funding and hospital grievance during public comment
Summary
During public comment on June 23, residents criticized an alleged illegal Oakland skate park, raised concerns about neighborhood outreach and National Night Out funding, and a father made allegations about UPMC Magee Women's Hospital handling of his son’s case.
PITTSBURGH — Several residents used the public-comment period at Pittsburgh City Council’s June 23 meeting to press officials on neighborhood quality, event funding procedures and an unresolved dispute with a hospital.
Carlino Giampolo of Panther Hollow told council he compiled “12 impacts” from what he called an illegal Oakland do-it-yourself skate park, including noise, alleged harassment reports to police, municipal-code violations, graffiti and sanitation concerns. He repeatedly framed council members’ response as indifferent. "Their attitude, I don't care," he said, listing the impacts and urging the mayor and administration to shut the park down.
A Homewood resident raised concerns about National Night Out planning and wrote to Councilman Corey Mosley’s office seeking support. The speaker said the council office’s outreach appeared to focus on a small set of neighborhood community organizations and said many residents—particularly younger people—are not being reached by the listed RCOs. That speaker emphasized the need for resources and inclusive outreach.
Patrick Robinson described a personal dispute with UPMC Magee Women's Hospital dating to 2020 in which he said he pursued a lawsuit and a complaint with the city's Commission on Human Relations. Robinson alleged that a commemorative plaque honoring his child was mishandled and that interactions with hospital staff and police led to escalation; he said he continued to seek accountability and raised concerns about a perceived cover-up involving the hospital and county officials. Robinson characterized the matter as ongoing and asked for help.
Council response and context: Later in the meeting, Councilman Corey Mosley clarified that his office had told a National Night Out organizer that a $10,000 request could not be honored without a procurement process because it exceeded a $5,000 threshold, and that his office typically makes smaller donations (about $250–$500) to community events. Mosley said his staff offered assistance and to participate in event planning.
Why it matters: Public comment highlighted local neighborhood tensions—from contested use of public space to event funding practices and a personal hospital grievance that the speaker said remains unresolved. Council members did not take formal action on these specific complaints during the meeting.
