Pittsburgh’s riverfront parks and trails: the Downtown loop
Building a community vision for Pittsburgh’s riverfront experience
Since 1999, Riverlife has worked to build a wishbone-shaped loop of riverfront public open spaces and experiences centered around the heart of downtown Pittsburgh.
Since those early days, the loop has grown to include 15 miles and over 1,055 acres of parks, trails, and green spaces. As shown in the map above, the loop’s current boundaries are defined by the West End Bridge and the Chateau riverfront on the Ohio River; the 31st Street Bridge on the Allegheny; and the Hot Metal Bridge near SouthSide Works on the Monongahela.
While the loop is roughly 85% connected, gaps remain in the riverfront experience. Riverlife continues our work to find solutions for those missing links and to elevate the loop to world-class standards. It’s also important to remember that the loop will continue to expand to adjacent neighborhoods as new community-led projects outside of the current boundaries grow and thrive.
Many Partners, One Vision
Pittsburgh’s downtown riverfront loop is comprised of both public and private property that has been developed to include access and enjoyment for everyone. These riverfront spaces are owned and managed by different stakeholders depending on the location. Partner organizations and public entities have a long history of trail development, ecological restoration, neighborhood planning, and special events that have connected and continue to enrich the city’s riverfront experience.
Find out more about the individual destinations throughout the park below.
We are committed to creating a community experience on the riverfront that is welcoming to everyone, regardless of identity. Learn more about our mission, vision, and values here.
We gratefully acknowledge the Native Peoples on whose ancestral homelands we gather, as well as the diverse and vibrant Native communities who make their home here today.
For more information about accessibility on the riverfronts, please contact Riverlife’s Accessibility Coordinator, Maria Riley, at maria@riverlifepgh.org or 412-258-6636, ext. 107.
Destinations, Highlights & Riverlife Projects
Allegheny Landing
Allegheny Landing was dedicated in 1984 as one of Pittsburgh’s first modern riverfront parks and one the nation’s first urban riverfront sculpture parks.
Read on to learn about Riverlife’s plans for the future of Allegheny Landing Park.
Allegheny Riverfront Green Boulevard
The Green Boulevard plan examines the future opportunities for development, transportation and public open space in the Strip District, Lawrenceville, Highland Park and Morningside.
Allegheny Riverfront Park
This trailblazing park, created by the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, connects the Cultural District to the Allegheny River across a barrier of roads and bridges.
Riverlife is currently working with partner organizations to re-envision the most visible Downtown park. Read on to learn more.
Almono/Hazelwood Green
Named after the first syllables of Pittsburgh’s rivers, Almono is a former steel mill site on 178 acres of Hazelwood’s riverfront along the Mon River.
ArtWalk on the Allegheny
ArtWalk on the Allegheny is a sweeping vision to bring immersive artwork and engaging programming to the riverfronts along two miles of the Allegheny between Point State Park and the Strip District.
Black Flowers
A 750-foot mural under the Fort Duquesne Bridge showcasing vibrant, colorful portraits of local Black faces of excellence.
Convention Center Riverfront Plaza
Formerly a staging area for barges and a downtown by-pass highway, the David L. Lawrence Convention Center Riverfront Plaza welcomes visitors arriving by boat, bike and foot.
“Energy Flow” Lighting on the Rachel Carson Bridge
One of Pittsburgh’s famous bridges shines with a special lighting installation.
Grant Street Crossing
This Riverlife-led street improvement for cyclists and pedestrians is the first of three phases to connect people to the Mon River in downtown Pittsburgh.
‘Invisible Ecologies’ installation
The sculpture at Allegheny Riverfront Park repositions man-made materials such as concrete, graffiti, and discarded plastic and glass, and aggregates them into a series of structures mounted on steel posts
Mon Wharf Landing
The Mon Wharf Landing opened in November 2009 as a linear park and trail connection along the southern edge of Downtown Pittsburgh.
Mon Wharf Switchback
The Mon Wharf Switchback Ramp connects cyclists using the Smithfield Street Bridge, Eliza Furnace “Jail Trail” and Great Allegheny Passage safely and smoothly down to the Mon Wharf Landing.
North Shore Habitat Restoration
Riverlife and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District have teamed up to see how a natural riverbank ecosystem could be integrated into the headwaters of the Ohio River.
North Shore Riverfront Park & Trail
The North Shore is a waterfront gathering space that links together entertainment venues, restaurants, office buildings and cultural amenities with public green space.
Point State Park
Point State Park is downtown Pittsburgh’s front lawn and premiere space for outdoor events and recreation.
Point State Park Connector
The Point State Park Connector is a traffic-free, non-motorized ramp that will connect Point State Park to the western side of the Mon Wharf Landing.
Point State Park Fountain
The soaring 150-foot fountain at Point State Park is an iconic part of Pittsburgh’s skyline and a destination for relaxation at the confluence of the three rivers.
Riverhounds Stadium
The stadium for Pittsburgh’s Riverhounds soccer team, also known as Highmark Stadium, sits on the edge of the Mon River just downriver from Station Square.
Rivers Casino Amphitheater
This outdoor public open space includes a riverfront promenade, 1,200-seat outdoor amphitheater and dock for boat access.
South Shore Riverfront Park
The riverfront park at the SouthSide Works complex in Pittsburgh’s South Side neighborhood was once the site of the J&L Steel Works.
South Side Riverfront Park & Trail
Extending underneath the Birmingham Bridge along the Mon River in Pittsburgh’s South Side neighborhood, the park features picnic space, a public boat launch and canoe launch.
Station Square
Station Square is an entertainment and retail complex situated on the banks of the Monongahela River across from downtown Pittsburgh.
Strip District Riverfront Park
The vision for Strip District Riverfront Park focuses on the Allegheny riverfront between 11th Street near the David L. Lawrence Convention Center and the 31st Street Bridge.
Three Rivers Heritage Trail
Multi-use regional riverfront trail that runs through the heart of Three Rivers Park, overseen by Friends of the Riverfront.
‘to be determined’ under the Fort Duquesne Bridge
Riverlife’s series of art and activation to enliven a stretch of riverfront trail under the Fort Duquesne Bridge. The program launched in 2015 with the installation of a 750-foot mural.
Washington’s Landing
Washington’s Landing (formerly known as Herrs Island) is one of Pittsburgh’s most desired waterfront residential locations.
West End Pedestrian Bridge
In 2006, with the support of the Alcoa Foundation, Riverlife held a design competition for a pedestrian bridge to be incorporated into the bridge’s grand structure.
