Park Trail and Signage Restoration

In 2010, the Parks Conservancy and City of Pittsburgh improved almost six miles of trails throughout the City of Pittsburgh’s four regional parks.  The improvements were part of a $3.8 million project managed by the Parks Conservancy and the City of Pittsburgh’s Department of Public Works. 

The project connected broken trail segments, including rebuilding several bridges. Significant engineering went into the trail and bridge reconstruction, and the materials used came from an approved Penn DOT list.  Trail surfaces were repaired while storm water inlets and drainage pipes were cleaned, repaired or replaced.  DPW crews and Parks Conservancy field staff worked closely with a local contractor to clear fallen, dangerous, and dead trees along the trails that were reconstructed.  All of the wood from the downed trees was used to help stabilize the soils on the steep slopes.

The Parks Conservancy’s Department of Management and Maintenance and the City of Pittsburgh’s Department of Public Works will monitor these newly restored landscapes for maintenance issues, paying special attention to sensitive areas during storm events.

Installation 100 new signs throughout the four regional parks is also nearing completion as part of the project.  In addition to directional signs, new interpretive signs will provide information about park history, wildlife, and restoration projects that have improved the parks.

The project was made possible by the efforts of Representative Mike Doyle and Senator Arlen Specter, who were instrumental in securing a federal grant.  In order to access the federal funding the Parks Conservancy raised approximately $700,000 through matching donations from the Pittsburgh community, the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, local foundations and corporations.

Follow the project's progress on our blog!  You can also check out this video from KDKA and articles from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.