LOCAL OFFICIALS, ORGANIZATIONS TO CELEBRATE COMPLETION OF FIRST PHASE OF ALLEGHENY COMMONS NORTH PROMENADE PROJECT
PITTSBURGH – JULY 16, 2021 – The Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy, City of Pittsburgh, Allegheny Commons Initiative (ACI), and Northside Leadership Conference (NSLC) will celebrate the completion of the first phase of the North Promenade Rehabilitation Project with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, July 20, in historic Allegheny Commons Park.
The evening of celebration, which is free and open to the public, will include remarks from local leaders, live music, local food vendors, and activities for people of all ages provided by the Parks Conservancy, the Mattress Factory, and the Children’s Museum. Speakers include William Peduto, Mayor of Pittsburgh; Art Rooney II, owner of the Pittsburgh Steelers; District 19 state rep. Jake Wheatley, D-Allegheny; District 42 state Sen. Wayne D. Fontana, D-Allegheny; and more.
Mariana Whitmer, chairperson, Allegheny Commons Initiative, said that the successful completion of the project’s first phase represents a key step in the bigger plan to rehabilitate the Commons as a whole.
“The North Promenade revitalization has expanded the beauty and serenity of the Patricia Reagan Rooney Memorial Fountain, demonstrating the possibility of a completely restored park,” Whitmer said. “The Allegheny Commons Initiative looks forward to seeing all of the Commons refurbished in a similar fashion.”
Mayor Peduto added that the restored North Promenade provides accessibility and quality of life improvements to members of Pittsburgh’s Northside community.
“We are glad to see the completion of another project as part of the Northside community’s vision for Allegheny Commons,” Mayor Peduto said. “We are grateful to the Allegheny Commons Initiative, Northside Leadership Conference and Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy for their partnership in helping us make over $4 million total in investments in the park that reflect the community’s needs and improve the Allegheny Commons experience.”
The rehabilitation project restores the area between the Patricia Reagan Rooney Memorial Fountain, formerly known as the Northeast Fountain, and Federal Street to its historic 1935 path pattern, including the 15-foot-wide central walkway along North Avenue. New tree plantings feature a central allée of canopy trees with a variety of understory trees flanking the lawn. The Promenade has also been furnished with benches and energy-efficient period lighting.
Catherine Qureshi, President and CEO, Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy, further underscored the community impact of the revitalized Promenade to the North Side.
“We are very excited to see the impact this completed phase of the project will have on the diverse and vibrant Northside community,” Qureshi said. “Community members can now enjoy a brighter and more accessible space in our City’s oldest park, which has been fundamental to the growth, development, health and well-being of its neighbors since 1789.”
The NSLC and ACI developed the first Master Plan for the park’s restoration in 2002 — the North Promenade project is the latest step in realizing that plan. This $1.1 million restoration is largely supported by a RACP grant and other private donations.
To learn more about the North Promenade ribbon cutting celebration, visit pittsburghparks.org/event/north-promenade-ribbon-cutting-celebration.
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Alana Wenk
Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy
412.527.0020
awenk@pittsburghparks.org
About Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy:
Now celebrating its 25th year, the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy was founded in December 1996 by a group of citizens concerned with the deteriorating conditions of Pittsburgh’s historic city parks. A non-profit organization, the Parks Conservancy works closely with the City of Pittsburgh under an official public-private partnership agreement to restore and improve the city’s park system to its full potential. To date, the Parks Conservancy has raised more than $130 million and completed 22 major park improvement projects. The Parks Conservancy works with thousands of volunteers, hosts hundreds of events, and provides programming for more than 7,500 children annually.