Ongoing
BIG LEAGUE SPORTS
Organized programs for kids include baseball, softball, soccer, flag football, and track and field. 412-488-8585.
BIKE PITTSBURGH
This cycling advocacy group sponsors a series of group rides and other events throughout the summer. 412-325-4334 or www.bike-pgh.org.
CRITICAL MASS BIKE RIDE
Group bike ride through the city. Last Friday of every month. Meet at 5:30 p.m. by the Carnegie Library dinosaur, on Forbes Avenue in Oakland. www.pghcriticalmass.org.
CYCLING
Citiparks operates a half-mile oval biking loop along Washington Boulevard. Curves are banked, but the inner portions are flat, and make a good place for kids to learn. The track is also used weekly by the Allegheny Cycling Association (http://acaracing.com/home.html), and other groups for other events throughout the summer. 412-255-2493
DISC GOLF
Schenley Park features an 18-hole "disc golf" course, and Carrick's Phillips Park has a nine-hole course created by high school students. For more information about the sport, and special events, check the Pittsburgh Flying Disc Society Web site, www.pfds.org.
GOLF
Allegheny County operates 18-hole golf courses in North Park (724-935-1967) and South Park (412-835-3545). Weekend admission is $18 for 18 holes; weekday admission $15 adults/$10 youth. Club rentals are available. The county also sponsors tournaments for men, women and juniors, as well as two-person "scrambles." For tournament details call 724-935-1967 or www.alleghenycounty.us/parks/golft.aspx.
HASH HOUSE HARRIERS
Hare-and-hound style running events held Monday nights throughout the summer. Trails are semi-off-road and typically range between 3 and 5 miles, with check points, beverage stops, and the occasional false trail. 412-381-6709 or www.pgh-h3.com
HISTORY MYSTERY RUNS
A series of runs commemorating the city's 250th anniversary. Runners (and hikers) follow a trail to spots of historic significance, where presentations about local history are given. Check www.historymysteryrun.com for locations and times
INLINE SKATING
Weekly skating events are held at the Eliza Furnace "jail trail" and the Washington Boulevard Cycling Track. The Three Rivers Inline Club also holds regular group skating events along city streets throughout the summer. 412-523-1582 or www.skatepittsburgh.com
LAWN BOWLING
Open lawn bowling and league play, plus free lessons. Frick Park, Regent Square. 412-782-0848 or www.lawnbowling.net.
OUTSIDE ADVENTURES
Nonprofit, volunteer group organizes activities including boating, fishing, biking and hiking trips. Instruction also offered. 724-230-0237 or www.outsideadventures.org.
PITTSBURGH PIRATES "BASEBALL"
Space constraints, and basic human decency, preclude us from featuring the home schedule for what seems likely to be another losing season. But if you're a glutton for punishment -- or just a glutton who wants to try the "all you can eat" food option new to PNC Park -- you can check out their schedule at http://pittsburgh.pirates.mlb.com/schedule/index.jsp?c_id=pit.
PITTSBURGH SPORTS LEAGUE
Year-round adult co-ed sports, ranging from the tried-and-true like basketball and softball, to dodgeball, broomball and "cornhole." Various city locations. 412.338.2133 x12 or www.pump.org/psl.jsp.
SKATEBOARDING
Go boarding at these city-run skate parks: McKinley in Beltzhoover, West Penn Park in Polish Hill, and Tuxedo Street in Sheraden. 412-255-2539.
SWIMMING
City park pools open June 13, through Labor Day. Programs include swimming lessons and swim teams; call 412-323-7928. County pools open June 7, through Labor Day. Purchase pool tags for the season or pay a daily entrance fee.
TENNIS
Regional tennis courts are open in Frick, Highland, McKinley, Mellon, Schenley and West parks. Summer programs include camps and lessons. 412-244-4188.
VENTURE OUTDOORS
Venture Outdoors sponsors hundreds of outdoor events at dozens of area parks, including family fun walks, beginner-to-advanced sessions in hiking, backpacking, mountain biking, rock climbing, horseback riding, canoeing, kayaking and much more. 412-255-0564 or www.ventureoutdoors.org.
Through May 30
Grant Street Walking Tour
A walking tour of Downtown Pittsburgh's distinctive architecture, conducted by the Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Foundation. Fridays at noon. Free. 412-471-5808 x527 or www.phlf.org.
May 16-25
Great Outdoors Week
Sponsored by Sustainable Pittsburgh and other groups, Great Outdoors Week offers a range of hikes, bike outings, boating events and other activities all around town. Many events have fees; for more contact 412-258-6646 or www.greatoutdoorsweek.org
May 17
Venture Outdoors Festival
Events at this free daylong event include canoeing, fishing, biking, and climbing. It's all sponsored by Venture Outdoors, and it's all centered at Washington's Landing. www.ventureoutdoors.org/vofest.asp or 412-255-0564
May 18
Mighty Mutts Dog Show
An open-to-the-public "dog show for the everydog" hosted by Animal Friends (who will feature adoptable animals at the event). Riverfront Park, North Side. Registration fee required to enter; www.ThinkingOutsideTheCage.org for registration and other information.
May 18
Pedal Pittsburgh
Bike throughout Pittsburgh in this all-day event while raising funds for the Community Design Center of Pittsburgh; course options range from 6 to 60 miles. Station Square. 412-232-3545 or www.pedalpittsburgh.org.
May 29-31
Allegheny County Marbles Tournament
A lifetime of training comes down to this: Kids 14 and under compete in the ancient art of aiming small glass balls at each other. Allegheny County Courthouse courtyard, Downtown. 412-350-7275.
May 31
Pittsburgh Passion vs. New York Sharks
The women's football team plays at Cupples Stadium in the South Side. Tickets are $12 for adults, $5 for students/kids under 18. www.pittsburghpassion.com
June 1
Greenfield Glide
A 5k cross-country run-walk through Schenley Park. 412-422-8885.
June 4-25
Oakland's Civic Center Walking Tour
A walking tour of landmark structures in Oakland, conducted by the Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Foundation. Wednesdays, noon. Free. 412-471-5808 x527 or www.phlf.org.
June 6
Riverview 5K Run/Walk
An evening run along a wooded, winding North Side path. 412-255-2493.
June 6-27
"Bridges and More" Walking Tour
Tour of some notable Pittsburgh bridges, conducted by the Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Foundation. Fridays, Noon. Free. 412-471-5808 x527 or www.phlf.org.
June 6-Sept. 13
Yoga in the Park
Classes in Yoga held for $5 each at the SouthSide Works. Sessions take place between noon and 1 p.m. on Friday, 10:30-11:30 a.m. on Sunday.
June 7
9th Annual Walk Now for Autism
Held at Heinz Field, this event benefits Autism Speaks and features family-friendly booths and activities. 412-367-4571 or www.walknowforautism.org/pittsburgh
June 7
Pittsburgh Passion vs. Columbus Phantoms
The women's football team plays at Cupples Stadium on the South Side. Tickets are $12 for adults, $5 for students/kids under 18. www.pittsburghpassion.com.
June 21
Pittsburgh Pirates Fun Run/Walk
A 5k run and 2-mile walk to benefit the Epilepsy Foundation. Tailgate party follows the event, which takes place at PNC Park. 412-322-5880 and www.efwp.org
June 21-29
Bob O'Connor Summer Tennis Classic
Held at courts around the city, and in memory of the city's beloved late mayor, this tournament event is open to kids and adults of varying ages and skill levels.
412-244-4188 or www.boboconnorsummertennisclassic.com.
June 27-July 6
Bike Fest
Annual 10-day series of rides, tours, races, workshops, parties and events with a focus on urban bicycle culture, organized by advocacy group Bike Pittsburgh. 412-325-4334 or www.bike-pgh.org
June 28-29
Tour of Pennsylvania Bike Race
This Tour de France-style event is the first of its kind in the U.S. The six-stage race, which covers 450 miles and roughly tracks the path General John Forbes used to seize Pittsburgh from the French in 1758, concludes in Pittsburgh. The 28th will feature a race from Ligonier to Pittsburgh; the 29th will be a "circuit race" taking place on Downtown streets. www.tourofpa.com
July 1-31
Swimming Lessons
In July, the four county park swimming pools offer free swimming lessons for ages 5 and up on Tuesdays (last name A-K) and Thursdays (last name L-Z). No registration required; call the county park closest to you for details.
July 11-16
U.S. Transplant Games
Every other year, this Olympic-style event allows organ-transplant recipients to compete in a dozen events, including tennis, cycling, and track-and-field. This year, the event will be hosted by the University of Pittsburgh and UPMC. For more information, call 1-800-622-9010 or visit www.transplantgames.org.
July 11-25
Penn-Liberty Walking Tour
A walking tour of Downtown Pittsburgh's distinctive architecture, conducted by the Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Foundation. Fridays, noon. Free. 412-471-5808 x527 or www.phlf.org.
July 14-20
Paul G. Sullivan Championship
A tennis tournament for players 18 and up, now in its 88th year at Frick Park's clay courts. 412-244-4188.
July 26
Run with Roch
A 5K run/1-mile walk through Mt. Washington in memory of Mt. Washington native, long-distance runner Roch Furguiele. 412-488-0912 or 412-726-6594.
Aug. 1-29
Fourth Avenue Walking Tour
A walking tour of Downtown Pittsburgh's distinctive architecture, conducted by the Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Foundation. Fridays, noon. Free. 412-471-5808 x527 or www.phlf.org.
Aug. 9
Brookline Breeze
A 5K run-walk (accompanied by a one-mile "Mini Breeze" event) to see the wonders of Brookline. 412-571-3222 or www.brooklinebreeze.com.
Aug. 23
Regent Square Run Around the Square
A 5k run/walk (accompanied by a shorter 1.5-mile event) that also features musicians and themed water-stops. 412-422-6562, ext. 5.
Aug. 24
Bark in the Park
Animal Friends and WDVE's Jim Krenn host a dog party at North Park's South Ridge Loop. Games, demonstrations, and other activities, with proceeds to benefit Animal Friends. 412-847-7055 or www.ThinkingOutsideTheCage.org
Sept. 5-26
Fifth and Forbes Walking Tour
A walking tour of Downtown Pittsburgh's distinctive architecture, conducted by the Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Foundation. Fridays, noon. Free. 412-471-5808 x527 or www.phlf.org.
Sept. 6
Last Splash of Summer
Held at Sandcastle and hosted by Animal Friends features a bathing-suit contest (for the dogs) chicken-flavored snow cones (also for the dogs) and other canine-fun. 412-847-7055 to register.
Sept. 21
Junior Great Race
A one-mile "Fun run" for kids 12 and under (there's a "50-yard trot" and a "diaper dash" for pint-sized Sebastian Coes) along Fort Duquesne Boulevard and Point State Park. $5 registration. 412-255-2493 or www.rungreatrace.com/Junior/index.html.
Sept. 28
Richard S. Caliguiri City of Pittsburgh Great Race
This 10K run has become a celebrated Pittsburgh institution, with a race course through city neighborhoods and ending at Point State Park. Registration required: two for $30 or $18 single runner until Sept. 5, $25 thereafter. 412-255-2493 or www.rungreatrace.com.
