Enhancing the Park Experience
The Allegheny County Parks Foundation was established in the fall of 2007. The Foundation was a key component of County Executive Dan Onorato's Parks Action Plan to transform and enhance recreational, educational and open space opportunities at the county's nine parks. Today, the Foundation is undertaking four capital projects and has identified several other projects in the parks. The intent is to deliver projects and programs in all parks over time. The trail projects in North Park, South Park and Settlers Cabin Park address connectivity of the parks to a county-wide network of existing trails and to the regional network. Trails are popular with outdoor enthusiasts of all ages and are used consistently throughout the year. The South Park Fairgrounds Improvement project is the first step to addressing some of the recommendations of the master plan.
Project Updates:
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October 3, 2011The South Park Fairgrounds Improvement Project Receives Funding
The South Park Fairgrounds Improvement Project received $1 million in state and county funding to rehabilitate and redevelop the South Park Oval, including reconstruction of the track and ballfields, removal of existing bleachers, landscaping and other improvements.
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October 3, 2011The Settlers Cabin Connector Trail Project Receives Funding
The Settlers Cabin Connector Trail Project received $500,000 in state and county funding for construction, benches, signage and landscaping. The trail connector will link the park to the Panhandle Trail, which stretches 29 miles from Carnegie to Weirton, W.Va. The Panhandle Trail connects to the 46-mile Montour Trail that runs from Coraopolis to Clairton. The Montour Trial joins with the Great Allegheny Passage, a 150-mile biking and hiking trail that connects with the 185-mile C&O Canal Towpath at Cumberland, Md. Together, the Great Allegheny Passage and C&O Canal Towpath create a 335-mile traffic- and motorized-vehicle-free route between Point State Park in Downtown Pittsburgh and Washington, D.C.