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A $2 million rehabilitation project at Allegheny Commons Park is already paying off by attracting more people to the North Side landmark.
“One of my colleagues was out at the park at night after the new lights were installed, and there are already people using it — dog walkers, runners,” says Brandon Riley, director of capital projects for the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy, which oversees the park. “That section of the park was unused at night because people were worried about lights.”
The Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy completed enhancements to the North Promenade from Federal Street toward the George Washington Monument. The project included pathway resurfacing, canopy tree plantings, bench installations, new trash receptacles, and mobility and pedestrian upgrades. The George Washington Monument also received a new setting in an oval plaza.
“The project has been focused on restoring the pavement pathways, in some instances relocating them since things have changed in that park over the course of decades,” Riley says. “Making sure pedestrian circulation makes sense.”
Fifteen historically appropriate light posts with energy-efficient and dark sky-compliant lighting were installed. Former Mayor Bill Peduto announced a Dark Sky Lighting ordinance in 2021 to reduce light pollution and increase energy efficiency, making Pittsburgh the first city in the eastern U.S. to adopt such legislation.
Another high priority is safety and accessibility. The Parks Conservancy worked with the Department of Mobility and Infrastructure to install planted medians.
“That promenade lines up on a mid-block crossing, and these medians allow pedestrians to stay on the promenade, but they only have to cross one lane of traffic at a time,” Riley says.
There are more enhancements to come. The Parks Conservancy is evaluating the next steps, including possible rehabilitation of Lake Elizabeth and the lighting and features in that area. Norfolk Southern has also agreed to replace an old pedestrian bridge in West Commons to coincide with work on the rail lines.
Commitment to preserving the history and aesthetic of the Commons is key to any improvements.
Pittsburgh’s oldest public park was established in 1867 and is known for its mature canopy trees, sprawling promenade and Lake Elizabeth. The park design was inspired by New York City’s Central Park.
Before the park was established, the Commons had 102 acres for public grazing. It also became a Civil War soldiers’ camp and training ground; the original Western State Penitentiary was located on the site of what is now the National Aviary. At that time, the park extended to the current site of the Community College of Allegheny County near Ridge Avenue and Merchant Street.
The park was redesigned in the 1960s with the goal of urban renewal — enhancing open space in the busy city. It was designated as a City Historic Site in 1988.
The North Promenade project was guided by a 2018 action plan that renewed the park’s 2002 master plan. The action plan lists maintenance as a major issue, noting that “the park has a great landscape fabric and upgrade of maintenance would go a long way to restoring the health and vitality, as well as the aesthetics of the park.”
“Through that process, we learned from community members that the most important thing to them was reestablishing that central promenade,” says Riley. “People wanted increased accessibility to the park, improved safety and typical park amenities.”
The Parks Conservancy took the lead on the park’s improvements in 2018 with the construction of the Rooney Fountain at the corner of North and Cedar. The Conservancy also restored monuments like “For Man, Beast, and Bird,” dedicated to Humane Animal Rescue founder Annie Hartzell.
In 2021, the $1 million first phase was completed, which improved Patricia Rooney Memorial Fountain to Federal Street – 108 trees were planted, and the 1935 path pattern was restored to remove unnecessary paths and excess pavement.
The second phase was funded by $1 million from Duquesne Light Co. and an $800,000 allocation from the City of Pittsburgh Parks Tax Trust Fund. The city also provided in-kind pavement work. The city and Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy have a public-private partnership agreement.
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and Commonwealth Financing Authority also supported the project.
“This project was a really good example of how the partnership between the Conservancy and the city can bring benefits to the community,” Riley adds.
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