Updated park will honor original design while increasing resilience for future generations
PITTSBURGH, PA – March 27, 2025. Riverlife announced that construction will begin at Allegheny Riverfront Park’s Upper Promenade. This $5.4 million rehabilitation effort is led by Riverlife, in collaboration with the City of Pittsburgh and the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust.
This marks a significant step toward the realization of the Sister Bridges Experience, a series of projects designed to connect Allegheny Riverfront Park and Allegheny Landing into a vibrant cross-river destination. The Sister Bridges Experience will enhance public access, celebrate the region’s cultural and historical assets, and create a world-class riverfront where all are welcome.
The Sister Bridges Experience is part of Riverlife’s larger efforts to Complete the Loop, 15 miles of riverfronts extending from the 31st Street Bridge, to the West End Bridge, and to the Hot Metal Bridge. As part of this work, Riverlife has keyed in on critical projects that will enhance public riverfront spaces.
“Riverlife has been honored to lead the rehabilitation of Allegheny Riverfront Park,” said Matthew Galluzzo, Riverlife’s President and CEO. “In collaboration with the original design team, we’ve made intentional choices to celebrate the park’s history while ensuring this park is celebrated as a welcoming space for all. This is one of the first in a series of investments in open spaces downtown, and strengthens the connection between Pittsburgh’s people, its rivers, and its evolving urban landscape.”
The City of Pittsburgh owns and manages Allegheny Riverfront Park.
“The rehabilitation of Allegheny Riverfront Park is a powerful investment in Pittsburgh’s connection to its rivers, creating a lasting space for residents and visitors to enjoy for generations,” said Mayor Ed Gainey. “This revitalized park will play a key role in showcasing our city when Pittsburgh takes center stage for the NFL Draft next spring. We are deeply grateful to Riverlife for their leadership and to all the partners making this vision a reality. This project reflects our commitment to building a vibrant, welcoming downtown—not just for global events, but for every Pittsburgher, every day. The City of Pittsburgh is also dedicated to working alongside Riverlife to ensure the long-term care and maintenance of this iconic urban space, preserving it as a source of pride for generations to come.”
Allegheny Riverfront Park was originally planned in 1994. At that time, the land was defined by multilevel high-speed roadways and a desolate riverfront parking lot between the three Sister Bridges at the edge of Pittsburgh’s Cultural District.
“Allegheny Riverfront Park is a great example of what we can accomplish together as a community,” said Kendra Whitlock Ingram, President & CEO of the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust. “We’re proud to support Riverlife in this exciting rehabilitation project, which, along with the nearby construction of Arts Landing, will create a strong link between our beautiful riverfront and vibrant Cultural District for years to come.”
The original work at Allegheny Riverfront Park was led by Brown, then-president and CEO of the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust.
“When the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust first began to build what we know today as the Cultural District, we knew that good design in open space had to be a priority,” said Carol Brown. “There was an incredible spot overlooking the Allegheny River, but at that time, there was no access to the river. We decided that this needed to be a major project for the Cultural Trust to undertake.”
The original park was designed by the now-acclaimed landscape architecture firm Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates (MVVA) and artists Ann Hamilton and Michael Mercil. Riverlife has re-engaged MVVA to consult with the design lead, LBA, a local landscape architecture firm with decades of experience creating resilient public places.
“It’s easy to take for granted now, but there was nothing inevitable about Allegheny Riverfront Park,” said Michael Van Valkenburgh, founder and creative director of MVVA. “It was a piece of land no one would think twice about. From the beginning, the site’s limitations—which a lot of people would have been throttled by—were taken by us as strange gifts to be reckoned with. It is uncommon to realize an opportunity to come back and revisit a park after seeing what time and the pressures of city traffic can cause. Being able to re-engage the public and make more resilient choices over twenty-five years later allows us to learn from what’s occurred, and build something that will last for generations.”
Among the key enhancements to the original park’s design:
- Bluestone pavers: At least 60% of the original pavers have degraded, due to a variety of reasons, including water infiltration, traffic, and the use of salt for ice removal. The original pavers were cut in varied lengths and narrow widths that collapsed as water, salt, and pressure was introduced over time. To address this, thicker pavers of a harder bluestone have been sourced. They will be laid in a new configuration to increase overall durability and resilience. The pavers are intentionally brick-sized to withstand pressure from heavy equipment. Thicker pavers will be used at the corners for added strength. A thermal finish will ensure better water runoff and less flaking.
- Tree Canopy work: Public safety and program improvements in the park will lead to the removal of some trees, and 35 new trees will be added to enhance the canopy and increase shade. Soil will also be rejuvenated to increase nutrient availability to the trees.
- Public safety and activation: The park’s corners will be widened to improve sightlines and create better pedestrian flow. New light poles and bollards will be added. Expanded open areas can host activities like food trucks, temporary art, and small events.
- Sustainable Maintenance: The City of Pittsburgh Department of Public Works will adopt best practices for snow removal using gentler de-icing materials. In addition, the use of vehicles in the center of the park will be limited. Riverlife has also created a $1M care and maintenance endowment to ensure long-term upkeep.
Financial support for this project has been provided by The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Honorable Josh Shapiro, Governor; Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) Bureau of Recreation and Conservation through the Keystone Recreation, Park, and Conservation Fund; Allegheny Regional Asset District (RAD); The Heinz Endowments; Richard King Mellon Foundation; the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust; and support through the PA Waterfront Development Tax Credit program by UPMC Health Plan, First National Bank, Duquesne Light Company, The Buncher Company, and PJ Dick.
“Investing in vibrant, accessible public spaces like Allegheny Riverfront Park is essential to strengthening communities and enhancing the quality of life for residents and visitors of Pittsburgh,” said Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn. “This project is a perfect example of how strategic public investment can sustain green spaces, ensuring they continue to serve residents for generations. We are proud to support Riverlife’s efforts to rehabilitate this park as part of our commitment to Pennsylvania’s outdoor recreation and conservation initiatives.”
“Allegheny Riverfront Park is a vital green space that provides some of the most amazing views in Pittsburgh,” said Rich Hudic, Executive Director of the Allegheny Regional Asset District (RAD). “The work that Riverlife is leading aligns with RAD’s many investments that strengthen and improve outdoor public gathering spaces throughout Allegheny County.”
“The power of public spaces that are beautiful, safe, sustainable and welcoming to all is undeniable,” said Chris DeCardy, president of The Heinz Endowments. “As we look to Pittsburgh’s future, carefully designed spaces like Allegheny Riverfront Park bring value to our city and contribute to a shared sense of community that benefits everyone in our region.”
Frank J. Zottola Construction is expected to complete the work by November 2025.
ABOUT RIVERLIFE Since 1999, Riverlife has worked to create, activate, and celebrate Pittsburgh’s riverfronts. A nonprofit leader in building a community vision for Pittsburgh’s riverfronts, Riverlife has overseen a $150 million investment in the city’s waterfront transformation, catalyzing $4.2 billion in related economic development, arts and culture spending, and ecological sustainability on or adjacent to the city’s riverbanks. We center our work on the belief that the riverfronts belong to everyone, and world-class riverfront experiences can be created for all using community-driven, equitable development and high-quality, regenerative design. For more information, visit riverlifepgh.org.
