►
Description
On this episode of CityTalk, John interviews Duane Ashley from the Department of Parks & Recreation and Jordan Fields from Mayor's Peduto's Office of Equity.
B
B
So
I'm
a
program
supervisor
on
the
recreation
side
of
parks
and
recreation
department,
and
what
that
really
entails
is
I
oversee
10
recreation
centers
and
we
have
a
few
satellite
sites
as
well.
That
you
know
are
mainly
just
used
for
rentals
and
things
of
that
nature,
and
you
know
I
oversee
you
know
just
the
day-to-day
operations,
whether
that's
actually
facility
issues.
You
know
that,
obviously
I'll
you
know
work
hand
in
hand
with
dpw
or
you
know
just
the
program
aspect
of
it.
You
know
that
ranges
from
sports
to
art
to
educational
aspects.
A
B
Yes,
so
even
you
know
just
shifting
gears
toward
that,
no
our
after
school
program.
Obviously
you
know
pittsburgh
public
schools
still,
you
know,
aren't
physically
in
the
classroom.
Yet
so
in
order
to
you
know
still,
you
know
reach
the
kids
and
you
know
just
anybody
from
the
community
us
along
alongside
with
nancy
burns.
You
know
her
office,
the
cp
office.
They
were
able
to
create
after
school
take-home
kits.
B
So
you
know
during
the
whole
pandemic,
we've
been
doing
grab-and-go
lunches
to
where
you
know
the
parents
or
the
you
know,
children
would
come
grab
a
lunch
and
you
know
they'll
be
on
their
way,
but
now
we're
also
able
to
give
them
a
nice
take-home
kit.
You
know
to
where
they're
able
to
do
activities,
educational
enrichment,
art
projects,
you
know
just
fun
things
and
that's
how
we
really
had
to
shift
gears.
You
know
really
in
the
pandymic
now.
B
So
it
it
would,
it
definitely
was
difficult,
but
it
wasn't
too
difficult,
especially
in
parks
and
rec
we're
always
you
know
trying
to
figure
out.
You
know
some
things
you
know
last
minute,
not
you
know
just
oh
as
a
fault
of
anybody,
you
know,
but
it's
always.
If
something
comes
up,
you
have
to
figure
out
how
to
you
know,
make
an
adjustment
you
know.
So
it
was
more
so
we've
the
the
most
difficult
aspect
of
it.
You
know
just
how
you
mentioned,
though,
was
more
so
just
the
uncertainty
of
everything.
B
You
know
it's
one.
You
know
regulation
we're
planning
for
this
and
then
it
changes
and
now
we're
planning
for
this
and
then
we're
trying
to
you
know
get
ahead
of
the
game
as
well.
You
know
so
we
have.
You
know
tentative
plans.
If
this
aspect
change,
you
know
around
the
world
country
right
now,
but
it
wasn't
too
difficult.
But
you
know
we
have
a
pretty
good
team
that
was
able
to
manage
well.
A
B
It's
it's
very
weird,
you
know,
and
even
just
things
like
this
is
always
good,
because
I'm
seeing
people
now
you
know
I'm
used
to
seeing
a
lot
of
people.
Obviously
you
know
at
each
one
of
my
recreation
centers,
you
know
so
it's
it's.
It's
drastically
different.
You
know,
but
it's
it's
feeling
like
one
long
day
at
this
point.
You
know
we
were
off
since
march.
B
B
So
originally
I
grew
up
in
garfield
and
you
know
right
over
on
the
east
side
from
you
know,
when
I
was
born
into
the
age
of
about
13,
and
then
I
moved
to
brookline,
where
it's
I've
met
some
of
my
staff
members
as
well.
You
know
I'll
even
just
give
a
shout
out
to
one
clint
burton
he's
the
center
director
at
west
penn
I've.
He
was
the
first
person
I've
actually
met
in
brookline
and
the
the
way
I
actually
you
know
you
know,
got
a
passion
for
city
parks.
B
My
father
used
to
be
director
of
city
parks
and
then,
after
that
he
was
the
director
of
operations.
But
when
I
was
growing
up,
city
parks
was
really
all
I
knew
he
took
me
around
to
everywhere.
You
know
whether
it
was
the
recreation
centers.
The
special
events
department
used
to
be
with
city
parks.
I
used
to
be
at
the
special
events
event
you
know
and
of
course
I
used
to
have
to
volunteer
and
things
of
that
nature.
So
you
know
I
really
got
a
passion
for
it
just
from
being
involved.
A
B
At
all,
not
at
all
you
know
I,
after
college,
you
know
I
was
really
just
trying
to
figure
out.
You
know
what
I
wanted
to
do
and
you
know
so.
I'm,
like
you
know
what
I'll
have
an
interest
you
know
still.
Let
me
apply
to
you
know
one
of
the
city
parks
jobs
got
into
it
and
you
know
which
is
pretty
fun
just
interacting
with
people
that
I
already
known
from
when
I
was
a
child.
A
B
Yes,
so
we
were
off
of
work,
I
think
march
16th
and
my
wedding
was
supposed
to
have
been
on
march
28th,
so
you
could
imagine
you
know.
That
was
a
big
whirlwind.
You
know
like
my
fiance,
and
I
are
still
you
know
just
trying
to
juggle
things
around,
so
it
was
pretty.
It
was
a
pretty
hectic.
You
know
time
during
that
whole
thing.
You
know
obviously
focus
on.
You
know
the
job
aspect
you
know,
but
also
you
know
my
wedding
that
you
know
we
had.
B
Yes,
that's
correct,
yeah,
so
my
new
date
is
it's
going
to
be
november,
28th,
no
matter
what
you
know
we're
getting
married
that
day.
You
know,
we
don't
know
how
it's
going
to
look
still.
Actually
this
week
we're
you
know
meeting
with
the
venue-
and
you
know
just
for
all
the
safety
measures
and
the
covet
regulations
that
we
have
to
about
by,
and
you
know
obviously,
guest
limitations
and
things
of
that
nature.
B
B
B
You
know
so
and
especially
too,
because
we're
you
know
one
to
really
follow
everything
right
now,
so
we're
postponing
the
wedding,
basically
until
the
pandemic
is
going
to
be
declared
over,
but
what
we
will
do
directly
after
the
wedding
we're
going
to
have
a
mini
moon
that
we're
still
trying
to
come
up
with
as
well.
You
know
something
that's
driving
distance,
you
know
secluded,
and
you
know
things
like
that.
So.
B
B
So
we've
been
coping
better
than
we
thought.
You
know,
especially
how
we
said
it's
we've
been
in
the
house
basically
since
march,
so
instead
of
you
know
trying
to
get
on
each
other's
nerves,
and
things
like
that,
we
figured
out
things
that
we
can
do
together,
that
we
normally
wouldn't
have
done
pick
on
what
different
type
of
shows
that
we're
watching.
B
You
know
the
biggest
thing
that
we've
done.
You
know
which
I
never
was
a
fan
of
until
the
pandemic
we've
done
about
six
different
thousand
word
puzzles.
Never
really,
you
know
was
a
puzzle
person
before
but
working
together
to
just
try
to
keep
her
mind
sharp
and
things
like
that.
You
know
just
kept
us
active,
but
besides
that
I've
been
coping,
I
would
say
you
know
pretty.
Well,
you
know
it's
just
trying
to
always
like
you
know,
just
the
word
adjust.
A
B
B
Oh
big
time-
and
it's
it's
funny
too,
because
you
know
like
I
said
you
know
we're
following
the
rules
making
sure
everything's
you
know
we're
doing
everything
you
know
to
minimize
any
risk
of
you
know
contracting
it
or
obviously
spreading
it.
If
we
were,
you
know,
god
forbid
to
actually
you
know
get
it,
but
it's
funny
you
know
like
if
she's
you
know
really
want
to
pay
attention
to
you
know
everyone
else.
I
can't
believe
you
know
this
is
that
you
know
and
she's
not
too
too
off
death.
B
A
A
C
Hello,
my
name
is
erica
strasberger
and
I'm
from
pittsburgh
city
council
district
8..
I
want
the
best
for
my
son,
evan
and
all
of
the
kids
in
allegheny
county.
That's
why
I
am
signing
up
for
fund
my
future
by
simply
depositing
one
dollar
or
more.
Every
month,
parents
are
encouraged
to
save
money
to
help
make
their
child's
dreams
after
high
school
come
true.
Just
about
any
savings
vehicle
is
eligible.
I'm
starting
a
pa
529
savings
plan
for
my
son,
enrolling
and
fund.
My
future
is
as
easy
as
one
enroll
in
fund.
C
A
D
A
A
D
You
know
no
matter
how
many
people
are
living
in
your
home
with
you.
The
city
provides
a
list
of
programs
available
to
city
residents
offered
by
different
providers
in
the
city,
including
the
ura,
the
city,
the
county,
and
so
it's
a
phenomenal
resource
and
especially
with
the
seasons
changing
and
the
constant
need
for
housing
assistance.
I
really
hope
that
people
can
find
that
that
resource,
useful
and
and
find
what
they
need.
D
So
again
you
can
go
on
the
city
website.
My
email
address
is
jordan.fields.
Pittsburgh
pa.gov,
I
believe
everyone's
email
address
and
phone
number,
even
though
some
of
us
are
not
in
the
office
every
day
are
available
to
the
public.
If
you
don't
have
access
to
a
computer,
you
can
go
to
any
of
the
carnegie
library
locations.
I
believe
they're
all
open
now
or
with
the
exception
of
one.
There
might
be
one
branch,
that's
not
open,
but
there
are
a
ton
of
them
throughout
the
city.
Should
you
need
help
with
just
about
anything?
D
Absolutely
especially
having
lived
here
for
four
years
as
a
student,
you
know
I
wasn't
as
connected
to
the
city
government
as
I
would
have
liked
to
be.
I
was
a
very
busy
student,
but
you
know,
working
in
the
office
of
equity
has
literally
taught
me
a
lot
about.
You
know
the
work
that
the
city
is
doing
and
the
work
that
we
still
have
to
do,
and
so
you
know
I
thoroughly
enjoy
every
day
joining
meetings
where
I'm
like.
D
D
Yes,
they
both
have
experience
with
with
politics
and
government.
You
know
I
always
tell
people
when
I
was
younger.
My
father
took
me
to
a
congressional
hearing
that
he
had
to
sit
in
with
congressman
rangel
when
I
was
about
eight,
and
so
that
was
kind
of
my
first
exposure
to
us
government.
We
sat
and
watched
president
bush's
motorcade
as
he
went
to
deliver
the
state
of
the
union
address.
So
I
I'm
very
much
connected.
D
Did
you
go
to
school,
so
I
went
to
columbia,
high
school
in
maple,
new
jersey
and
then
I
went
to
the
university
of
pittsburgh
where
I
was
a
varsity
student
athlete.
I
was
on
the
track
team.
I
studied
political
science
sociology
and
africana
studies
I
enjoyed
you
know
studying
in
all
three
departments,
I
had
phenomenal
professors
and
I
was
very
lucky
lucky
to
have
a
rewarding
and
fulfilling
experience
at
the
university.
Despite
you
know
anything
that
a
black
female
could
endure
in
you
know
a
major
u.s
city
and
in
an
institution
of
higher
learning.
A
D
So
I
think
you
know
this
is
a
tough
question,
because
where
do
I
begin,
I
think
personally,
I
was
fortunate
to
have
grown
up
in
a
household
with
again
two
parents
both
had
two
degrees.
My
dad
now
has
a
third
one.
I
can
easily
say
that
I
have
never
endured
financial
hardship.
A
lot
of
the
the
oppression
that
I
have
experiences
is
twofold.
Obviously,
as
a
black
woman
and
I
you
know
directly
experienced
it,
I
had
to
file
a
legal
plate
against
my
school
district.
D
When
I
was
14
because
the
high
school
that
I
went
to
had
some
very
racist
tracking
and
discipline
policies,
our
data
was
unbelievable
and
that's
still
being
worked
on
in
new
jersey
and
they
they
have
a
long
way
to
go.
But
you
know
I
don't
think
I
will
ever
be
satisfied
with
how
anyone
is
doing
until,
as
you
know,
speaking
for
myself,
black
people
can
feel
like
they're,
actually
safe
here
in
america
in
pittsburgh.
In
you
know,
towns
across
the
country.
D
I
have
these
conversations
with
my
parents
a
lot
and
then
speaking
to
my
mother,
the
other
day
we
were
both
talking
about
how
sometimes
oftentimes
we
still
don't
feel
necessarily
free
as
black
people,
because
of
all
of
these
barriers
that
exist
in
between
us
and
and
these
rights
that
we're
supposed
to
be,
you
know
given
freely
and
fairly,
and
so
you
know
as
much
as
each
win
or
victory
feels
grand.
You
know.
D
A
D
Was
a
varsity
athlete?
I
was
a
what
two-time
individual
state
champ
in
new
jersey
at
two
state
team.
I
ca.
I
I
was
fortunate
again
to
have
attended
a
high
school
where
the
track
program
was
nationally
recognized.
My
coach,
lisa
morgan,
who
I
still
speak
to
this
day,
is
like
a
second
mother
to
me.
She
is,
I
don't
she's
a
master
strategist.
She
is
someone
who
is
an
incredibly
talented
coach,
cared
about
her
athletes
and
can
turn
anybody
walking
down
a
hallway
into
a
state
champion,
and
I
mean
that.
D
D
I
have
not
worked
out
in
months,
and
that
was
that's
been
kind
of
just
to
alleviate
the
stress
that
came
with
working
out
when
you're
a
d1
athlete
you
know
working
out
and
exercising
when
you're
no
longer
competing.
Sometimes
you
know
you
feel
like
you're,
still
an
athlete
and
you're
going
as
hard
as
possible,
and
I
don't
have
to
do
that
anymore.
You
know
I'm
not
competing.
D
A
D
D
D
A
D
Going
to
say
it's
yet
to
be
determined,
I
I
really
do
enjoy
doing
the
policy
work
because
you
can
turn
or
excuse
me.
You
can
create
solutions,
for
you
know
real
world
world
problems
that
you're
seeing
in
front
of
your
face.
I
am
planning
on
going
to
law
school,
so
I'll
probably
do
something
you
know
between
the
lines
of
law
and
policy,
but
you
know
I
enjoy
writing
and
problem
solving
really.
A
D
I
do
I
mean,
and
what
I
hope
people
understand
is
that
you
know
you
don't
necessarily
have
to
come
from
a
political
background
to
run
for
office
or
or
to
represent
people.
You
know
I.
I
hope
that
people
of
all
backgrounds
and
who
have
studied
all
fields,
try
to
get
their
foot
in
the
door,
because
those
voices
are
very
much
needed
and
it
always
helps
to
have
a
diverse
group
of
people.
It's
called
the
diversity
bonus.