Park H. Martin was born in Allegheny County in the borough of Bellevue, the son of David Herron and Angie (Starr) Martin. Following study at Carnegie Institute of Technology, Pittsburgh, Park Martin worked for several engineering and industrial firms. A registered professional engineer, he directed his own engineering business for more than twenty years in the Pittsburgh area. In 1933 Park Martin became chief engineer and assistant director, Allegheny County Department of Public Works, and 1935, planning engineer, and later director of the Department of Planning. Until 1946, Park Martin planned and directed many of the major improvements in Allegheny County, including the Greater Pittsburgh Airport and the Penn-Lincoln Parkway. During World War II Martin served as executive secretary of the Allegheny County Defense Council. In 1945 Martin became executive director of the Allegheny Conference on Community Development, serving until his retirement in 1958. He also served as director of the Pittsburgh Regional Planning Association from 1952-1957, and was chairman of the Metropolitan Study Commission of Allegheny County in 1952. Mr. Martin was awarded honorary degrees of doctor of engineering from Carnegie Institute of Technology and doctor of law from the University of Pittsburgh. He received the first award for outstanding activities in behalf of the Pittsburgh area given by the Pittsburgh Chapter, American Society of Civil Engineers, and was elected an honorary member of ASCE in 1955. Martin served as the Director of the St. John's Hospital, president of the American Society of Planning Officials, past president of the Pittsburgh Motor Club, president of the Pittsburgh Chapter of ASCE, and was a member of the Urban Land Institute of America and the American Planning and Civic Association. He was a trustee of Carnegie Institute of Technology and Carnegie Institute. In 1955 Martin received an outstanding achievement award from the Pittsburgh Newspaper Guild. Park Martin died in 1972.
From the description of Papers of Park H. Martin, 1935-1958. (University of Pittsburgh). WorldCat record id: 30352063
