A true “river town”, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania is situated at a unique convergence of waters unlike any other in the world. The Allegheny, Monongahela and Ohio rivers that meet in downtown Pittsburgh are part of a vast watershed and make up close to 40 miles of river shoreline within the city limits.
In 1999, a group of Pittsburgh community leaders, business owners, environmentalists and urban planners created the “Riverlife Task Force”, a group intent on overseeing the development of the “Three Rivers Park” system into a world-class waterfront of interconnected riverfront parks, trails, amenities and commercial destinations. Their mission: reclaim, restore, and promote Pittsburgh’s river fronts. Three Rivers Park now connects residents and visitors to new stadiums, museums, restaurants, housing, businesses, and parks with pedestrian walkways and bike trails. The waterfront plan also includes responsible stewardship practices with habitat restoration, storm water management, and innovative brownfield reclamation. Their plan was the winner of the 2002 AIA Honor Award in Urban Planning and Design and the 2002 Merit Award in Planning from the International Downtown Association. If the riverfront showcases the best that Pittsburgh has to offer, Point State Park, provides its dramatic first impression. Founded in 1974, the 36-acre park has recently undergone a $40 million revitalization including upgrading “The Point”, a historic fountain that has become the focal point of the city’s skyline and symbol of the city’s connection to the rivers.
The fountain was upgraded and re-opened to huge fanfare in a grand opening ceremony in June 2013, making it Pittsburgh’s newest setting for day-to-day enjoyment and large-scale special events for generations to come.
- The water feature and surrounding landscape have been restored and enhanced, including additional seating, raised water feature base, cascade waterfall and new plumbing and electrical systems.
- The refurbished water feature contains two rings of water with over 300 of Crystal’s LED color-changing lights.
- The center burst jet can shoot water a spectacular 200 feet in the air, all controlled by a wind meter.
“The transformation of Point State Park is almost complete, and with the reconstructed fountain it will once again be a jewel in our award-winning state park system,”
Richard J. Allan – DCNR Secretary
