About the Renovation

What is Point State Park?

Point State Park is a 36-acre state park, a National Historic Landmark, the only developed State Park in Allegheny County, and the only large public park in downtown Pittsburgh. Located at the confluence of Pittsburgh’s three rivers, it is ideally located to serve as the centerpiece of Three Rivers Park.

Three Rivers Park is a 13-mile “Loop” of trails and park spaces under development along Pittsburgh’s three rivers. Point State Park lies at the heart of Three Rivers Park.

Little Known Fact

Point State Park was never designed to serve as a venue for major events.

In the past several decades, however, Point State Park has become the City’s primary outdoor event space, hosting tens of thousands of people at a time. Indeed, a significant percentage of its estimated 2.5 million visitors come to the park for these major events. Unfortunately, all that traffic causes wear and tear on a site that is archaeologically and structurally fragile.

Why renovate the park now?

To celebrate Pittsburgh’s 250th birthday.

For the 150th, the City laid the groundwork for the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Memorial and electrified Downtown. To celebrate the bicentennial, they created the Civic Arena (now Mellon Arena) and Point State Park. In keeping with this tradition of civic improvement to commemorate our milestones, we want to present Pittsburghers with a major center of urban life for our city’s 250th birthday.

To provide much needed park space for residents and visitors.

By 2008, the Downtown residential population is expected to swell by 43 percent—that means 3,200 new people living in Downtown, combined with all the attention that visitors have devoted to the city’s center over the past few years. Visitors and residents in this first-class city deserve a first-class park—whether they’re using it for an hour or for a lifetime.

To make it a place for recreation as well as for relaxation.

In its current state, Point State Park is disappointing, particularly when compared with parks in other major cities, which offer a wide range of recreational uses and aesthetic value. The Park is underused because it lacks a variety of amenities; some have broken down and others just never existed. Sadly, there are too many things we CAN’T do in Point State Park:

• Cycling in the Park is prohibited, along with dog-walking and rollerblading. And there are no connections to the extensive system of trails that extend from just beyond the Park along the Monongahela and Allegheny Rivers.
• There are no ramps or storage facilities for paddlecraft (kayaks and canoes).
• There are no boat docks.
• There are no water-taxi landings.
• There are few safe ways to “touch the water”—no safe steps into the water.

This project will give our city a stunning waterfront gathering place and recreational hub to rival the best in the world. And that will bring even more people to Pittsburgh to live, work and play.

How bad is it?

In its current condition, Point State Park can scarcely accommodate its users.

• Park infrastructure is antiquated, lacking the capacity and technology to handle current demands. Water, sewage and electrical systems are particularly challenged during storms, floods and large-scale events.
• Lights, benches and trash receptacles are missing or damaged.
• Trees and plants are in poor health.
• The Point’s fountain, an icon of Pittsburgh, is in disrepair and does not function reliably.
• The Park is not compliant with the ADA requirements.

What will the restoration include?

Phase 1: City Side Festival Grounds & Infrastructure

• Restore/enhance electrical, plumbing, irrigation, drainage and lighting
• Provide Great Lawn for performance and daily recreational uses
• Add electrical hook-ups for event vendors
• Redefine, re-grade and pave pedestrian pathways, crosswalks, curbs, and the ramp to the Allegheny River Overlook
• Remove the old stage and install a new stage pad on the Festival Grounds
• Add new trees, native flora, signage, lighting, furniture and concession

Phase 2: River Side and Landscaping

Fountain and Promenade

• Restore and enhance the fountain, including the addition of seating, a raised fountain base and pool of water to touch, and a new pump and filtration system
• Install water steps at the Confluence
• Restore promenade around the river edge
• Install lighting and furniture

Mon Wharf Connection

• Build Mon Wharf pedestrian causeway and a bike path connecting Point State Park to the Mon Wharf and on to the Eliza Furnace Trail
• Create a water landing and plaza for small motorized and non-motorized craft

Allegheny River Connection

• Implement the concept plan created by landscape architect, Michael Van Valkenberg and artist, Ann Hamilton to create a Riverfront Landing and Viewing Stand connecting Point State Park to the Allegheny Riverfront Park, the Convention Center Riverfront Park, the Strip District and bridges to the North Shore
• Create a water landing and plaza for boaters.

Phase 3: Water Side Interior/Parkwide

• Complete final landscape restoration work including the replacement of native flora and tree cover
• Add remaining lighting, signage and furniture; Install historic interpretation exhibits.

Who is managing the project?

The restoration of Point State Park is being executed through a public/private partnership between the Allegheny Conference on Community Development, the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, the City of Pittsburgh and Riverlife.

The process began in 2001, when the Riverlife Task Force and the Allegheny Conference on Community Development formed the Point State Park Planning Committee to save the park from further deterioration and restore it as a historic site and a recreational hub. With generous support from The Heinz Endowments, the Richard King Mellon Foundation, The Pittsburgh Foundation, Alcoa Foundation, and the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR), the Planning Committee retained the services of Pressley Associates to develop a master plan.

How can I help?

Write your public official and thank them for their support.

Send a letter to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette or to the Pittsburgh Tribune Review.