critical upgrades to restore trails and strengthen neighborhood connections
The Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy is hitting the trail with a new restoration effort in McKinley Park—one of the city’s largest and most historic green spaces. The McKinley Park Trail Improvement Project will rehabilitate more than 1.3 miles of trail, enhancing accessibility, safety, and overall usability for residents and visitors alike. This investment marks the latest chapter in the Conservancy’s ongoing work to revitalize Pittsburgh’s beloved public parks.
This project will focus on rehabilitating native soil trails with erosion control, tree pruning, improved drainage, new box steps and culvert crossings, and enhanced trail surfacing. The improvements are concentrated on the park's Chicken Hill side, a critical area connecting Bausman Street to surrounding residential neighborhoods.
The trail improvements align with key recommendations from the 2016 McKinley Park Master Plan and respond directly to resident feedback gathered through community engagement efforts. The project will help address longstanding barriers to access—particularly the park's steep topography and under-maintained pathways.
