Frank Curto Park

Frank S. Curto (1898 or 1899 – February 23, 1971) was the chief horticulturist for the Pittsburgh Department of Parks and Recreation.

Curto received his Master of Science degree in ornamental horticulture from Ohio State University. His career with the city's bureau of Parks and Recreation began in 1946 and ended in 1970 after a decade as foreman of Phipps Conservatory, where he directed the popular Fall Flower Shows for 23 years.

He was a prominent and active member of the Great Lakes Chapter of the American Rhododendron Society and had previously served as president of the Pittsburgh Florists and Gardeners Club, secretary-treasurer of the Pennsylvania Nurserymen's Association, and director of the Men's Garden Club of America. In 1969, he was honored with the Johnny Appleseed Award of the Men's Garden Club of America, and then in 1970, with the Sylvan Award of the Society of American Florists.

Frank Curto Park, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, was named for him, as he was the city's horticulturist for many years. Also, in Allegheny County, in the neighborhood of Oakland, a bridge on Forbes Avenue traversing Panther Hollow bears his name: the Frank Curto Bridge. A street in Pittsburgh, near the Phipps Conservatory in Schenley Park, is also named after him: Frank Curto Drive.

Frank Curto Park is a sculpture-filled city park in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, between Downtown and Polish Hill, alongside Bigelow Boulevard. The park contains a collection of works by contemporary urban artists and a flock of wild turkeys which began to occupy the park and surrounding hillside. It was named for Frank Curto, one of the city's longtime horticulturists. His career with the city's bureau of Parks and Recreation began in 1946 and ended in 1970 after a decade as foreman of Phipps Conservatory.

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