About the Project
Once known as Cliffside Park, August Wilson Park was thoughtfully restored by the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy as a welcoming, vibrant neighborhood gathering place in Pittsburgh’s historic Hill District. Guided by the Hill District Greenprint by Walter Hood Design Studio, the Parks Conservancy designed the project to reconnect residents to their landscape while strengthening the Hill’s connection to the city beyond.
By the early 2000s, the park showed decades of wear—steep, inaccessible paths, overgrown views, failing pavement, and drainage issues limited its use despite its stunning overlook of the Allegheny River, the North Side, and the Strip District. In response, community members came together to advocate for the park’s renewal.
Reopened to the public in 2016, the revitalized park now features a fully accessible, gently rolling pathway, a new play area, a resurfaced half-court basketball court, restored views, and powerful cultural elements, including historic photographs by Charles “Teenie” Harris and quotes from playwright and namesake August Wilson—bringing new life, meaning, and pride back to this cherished Hill District greenspace.
