PITTSBURGH, PA (March 22, 2022) – The Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy and Commonplace Coffee today announced the launch of the Highland Park Blend, the fourth of five releases in a limited series celebrating Pittsburgh’s regional parks.
Each blend in the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy Series highlights one of the City’s five regional parks: Frick Park, Schenley Park, Highland Park, Riverview Park, and Emerald View Park. The custom blends will be sold at commonplacecoffee.com and at Commonplace Coffee locations in 12oz. bags priced at $18. Commonplace will continue to donate 25% of profits from sales of the custom parks blends directly to the nonprofit.
The Conservancy and Commonplace Coffee kicked off their partnership in fall 2020 with the launch of the Frick Park Blend, followed by the Schenley Park Blend in early 2021 and the Riverview Park Blend last fall. The Highland Park Blend is an eight-week release running from the first day of spring through mid-May.
“Highland Park is such a welcoming space that so many Pittsburghers enjoy year-round and we’re honored to continue this valued partnership with Commonplace Coffee by releasing this limited edition blend,” Alana Wenk, Director of Marketing and Communications, Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy, explained. “It’s essential that we collaborate with like-minded organizations that
also believe in the importance of creating safe, accessible, and beautiful parks.”
The Highland Park blend is comprised of 50% Mapendo, a coffee from the Democratic Republic of Congo, and 50% Duromina, a coffee from Ethiopia. Dave Smallhoover, roasting operations manager, Commonplace Coffee, said the Commonplace team was thrilled to create a blend that evokes a shared exuberance for the return of outdoor park activities.
“Going into this spring’s blend development, we had just received a beautiful coffee from a new partnership that we felt captured that excitement for spring,” Smallhoover said. “The coffee, Mapendo, is a complex and vibrant offering.”
Swahili for ‘love,’ Mapendo is a women-only-produced coffee from the South Kivu Province.
“To add more sweetness and body to the blend, we paired Mapendo with a returning favorite of Commonplace, Duromina. This washed Ethiopian provides the balance necessary to highlight the nuance of each coffee. We can’t wait to break into spring with this vibrant and jazzy, 100% organically-produced blend.”
Known for its Victorian-style gardens, walking trails, and many historical amenities, Highland Park also features a swimming pool, playgrounds, and its iconic reservoir. Highland Park will also serve as the venue for the PNC Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy Spring Hat Luncheon on Saturday, May 7, the Conservancy’s hallmark fundraising event of the year.
“I am lucky to have created many fond memories at Highland Park, while on hikes and at picnics with friends,” said Abby Eckhardt, marketing coordinator, Commonplace Coffee. “Commonplace Coffee staff and guests alike find refuge in the wonderful green spaces stewarded by the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy. It is an honor for us, in turn, to support the Conservancy’s mission by participating in this blend series.”
To purchase a bag of the Highland Park Blend, visit commonplacecoffee.com/coffees or visit a Commonplace Coffee location. To learn more about opportunities to support the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy, visit pittsburghparks.org.
About Commonplace Coffee
Founded in 2003, Commonplace Coffee is headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania with six community-based coffeehouses in Western Pennsylvania. The flagship coffeehouse as well as an additional cafe and bakery are located in Indiana, Pennsylvania. The remaining five locations as well as the roastery/headquarters are in Pittsburgh. Commonplace offers handcrafted coffee and pastries in an atmosphere that builds and fosters the neighborhoods it serves. Commonplace also provides cafe consultations, wholesale coffee, equipment, service, and training to a diverse cross-section of businesses looking to create or build their coffee program.
About Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy
Recently celebrating its 25th year, the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy was founded in December 1996 by a group of citizens concerned with the deteriorating conditions of Pittsburgh’s historic city parks. A non-profit organization, the Parks Conservancy works closely with the City of Pittsburgh under an official public-private partnership agreement to restore and improve the city’s park system to its full potential. To date, the Parks Conservancy has raised more than $130 million and completed 22 major park improvement projects. The Parks Conservancy works with thousands of volunteers, hosts hundreds of events, and provides programming for more than 7,500 children annually.
