But 100 years ago, this park was just getting started! The map from 1923 shows the land had been acquired by the City of Pittsburgh but the park and pool were yet to come. Everything takes time (true then, true today).

Watching them, it’s easy to understand why lounging poolside is so popular; it’s the only flat space in the park where minimal exertion is the norm! As winter approaches, the June 2026 opening day for city pools feels a million years away…

Ambling along, I notice two men, perhaps a Gen Z-er with his Gen X dad, taking advantage of the cardio workout offered by the long flight of city steps that connects the athletic field to the seating. There’s not a whiff of machismo here, just the resigned huff and puff of running up and down.

The speed and vocal power that comes from such small bodies is incredible. It’s like watching a pinball game but with little kids ricocheting from one bumper to the next. 😆😱😜

I'll be writing about the public spaces in the run soon! :-)

And for those who love the 1923 maps (me!), it's curious to note that there was once a brickyard where the athletic field is today. Also, lots of city steps that are no longer a part of the neighborhood. :-(

Creating a strong community requires both funding and boots-on-the-ground action. Perhaps this is why the athletic field, park, and playground remain vibrant and valued spaces for Greenfield residents. Everyone and everything has a useful place, and when you’re playing the right role, magic happens.

But recognition is also due to Bud Hammer, for whom the park is named. Hammer was a local school janitor and baseball coach who taught an entire generation of young ‘burghers the skills needed to be champions on (and more importantly) off the field.

So bragging that former Dallas Cowboys and Green Bay Packers head coach Mike McCarthy is a financial contributor is certainly expected.

Bud Hammer Park is home to the Greenfield Baseball Association. Started in 1951, it’s one of the City’s longest-standing youth leagues. And when it comes to local sports, everyone loves a “neighborhood kid makes it big” story...

While it takes some effort to reach the bluff overlooking the river, it’s well worth it. Pack some refreshments and plan to stay for a bit. Hays Woods could easily become a favorite place to explore and relax.

The Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy has collaborated with the City to foster better ecological conditions and offer a variety of educational events for those curious about hiking, birds, animals, and plants. A map of the trails can be found on pittsburghparks.org/hays-woods/.

Beyond a porta-potty near the entrance, you won’t find any amenities, but there are a variety of trails. Some are utility access roads that are easier to traverse, and others are footpaths that wind through fields and wooded hillsides.

Moments of tranquility are punctuated by the sound of the whistle and vibrations on the ground and in the air. Here comes another freight train.

When all is quiet on the Norfolk Southern and CSX lines, there’s a shaded, mossy-roofed pavilion with a bird nest in the rafters and a picnic table for those who want to sit and eat a sandwich, or have a smoke, or talk on the phone without everyone else hearing the conversation.

In some places, the line between the people and the railroad authority is clearly defined and prominent. In Hays, that’s not the case. And so, it’s not surprising that in this small, lightly careworn park, which was enclosed in regulation-grade fencing, people have made their way to the tracks.