Negley Run Watershed Projects & Planning

• Community Well / River Roots: 
  A public gathering space to celebrate water and community, envisioned by the Living Waters of Larimer project. The first installation is River Roots in Larimer Park. 

• Conceptual Community Stormwater Management Strategy: 
  Also known as the Little Negley Run Conveyance Vision, this report lays out a community-driven strategy to direct rainwater from upland neighborhoods through the valley to the Allegheny River.

• A Vision Plan for the Negley Run Watershed: 
  A community-informed workshop developed conceptual designs for the stormwater connection at the base of Washington Boulevard. This vision has been shared with engineers working on the larger conveyance project. 

• Meadow Street Microshed Concept Plan: 
  Proposed neighborhood-scale stormwater infrastructure tools to intercept runoff before it enters the combined sewer system and redirect it into the larger conveyance. 

• Highland Park One Water Trail Plan: 
  A thematic hiking trail concept that connects Highland Park’s water history to the Negley Run watershed. While not officially developed, the stories and inspiration are embedded in the park for curious visitors. 

• Little Negley Run at Larimer Park Phase B Implementation Strategy: 
  Provided recommendations for Phase B development of the Larimer Park vision, located below Rivers Roots at Larimer Park. 

• Watershed Implementation Design Plan: 
  A study of upper watersheds to prioritize stormwater investments in Pittsburgh Water’s Five-Year Capital Implementation Plan. Six priority microsheds were identified to be potentially included in future Capital Improvement Plans. An update was shared at the April 2020 Task Force meeting.

• Thomas and McPherson: 
  Partially funded by the ALCOSAN GROW program. Phase I construction began in 2020 alongside a water main replacement on McPherson Boulevard. 

• Fleury Way: 
  A stormwater correction project for an alley in Homewood, addressing standing water and localized flooding. 

• Washington Boulevard / Mouth of Negley Run: 
  In collaboration with the Army Corps of Engineers, Pittsburgh Water is designing a stormwater conveyance system to move water from below the velodrome to the Allegheny River. The project was advanced to 30% design.

• Watershed Restoration Accelerator Project: 
  Funded by the Rockefeller 100 Resilient Cities Initiative. Provided recommendations for interagency coordination and innovative funding for urban watershed restoration.

• Liberty Green at Larimer Park: 
  New city park which was partially funded by a HUD Choice Neighborhood grant. Includes stormwater conveyance systems and the River Roots site, located at the headwaters of the future Negley Run Conveyance. 

• Homewood Field: 
  A new recreational field and public space between the East Busway and the Homewood Carnegie Library. 

These ideas, developed by Task Force participants, present exciting opportunities for integration into a future watershed-wide stormwater network: 

• Paulson Valley: 
  An underutilized ravine flowing from Paulson Park. This area could serve as a model for community-led downspout disconnections and right-of-way stormwater conveyance with a focus on ecological restoration. 

• Chadwick Park: 
  A municipal park with surrounding land that holds promise for urban agriculture and stormwater improvements. Studied by Grounded Strategies and ALCOSAN’s Controlling the Source report. 

• Enright Court: 
  East Liberty Development, Inc. proposed turning the private courts within this small neighborhood into green alleyways. Public acquisition of easements is needed for implementation. 

• Larimer Orchard: 
  A blend of the Village Green community garden, soil remediation, a fruit orchard, and a raincatcher art installation—all forming a vibrant urban ag district on the Negley Run slope. 

• Westinghouse Park Vision Plan: 
  North Point Breeze Development Corporation led a visioning process for park improvements, funded by the URA’s Neighborhood Initiatives Program.

• Homewood Comprehensive Plan: 
  A City-led plan for public and private investment in Homewood. Included specific recommendations for stormwater management goals. 

Over 30 agencies, nonprofits, and community groups have contributed expertise, planning, and implementation support to the Task Force, including: 

• Pittsburgh Water

• ALCOSAN 

• Army Corps of Engineers 

• City of Pittsburgh (City Planning, URA) 

• Living Waters of Larimer 

• Larimer Consensus Group 

• Highland Park Community Council 

• Kingsley Association 

• Operation Better Block 

• Grounded Strategies 

• ETHOS Collaborative 

• eDesign Dynamics 

• Pashek + MTR 

• EvolveEA 

• North Point Breeze Development Corporation 

• Homewood Children’s Village 

• Nine Mile Run Watershed Association – Upstream Pgh 

• PennDOT 

• CivicMapper 

• RAND Corporation 

• Sierra Club 

• Three Rivers Wet Weather 

• Landforce 

• Pittsburgh UNITED 

• Allegheny Conference on Community Development 

• Allegheny Land Trust 

• Allegheny Watershed Alliance 

• Wade Trim 

• Penn State Center