Pittsburgh Receives $200,000 State Grant for Parks and Trail Planning

PITTSBURGH, PA — Pittsburgh has received a $200,000 state grant for improvements to parks, drinking-water access and planning for new trail connections, city officials announced Wednesday.

The funding comes from Pennsylvania’s Community and Economic Assistance Program through the Department of Community and Economic Development. According to the City of Pittsburgh, the award was secured with support from state Sen. Lindsey Williams and will be divided among upgrades at Farmhouse Field in Highland Park, new water fountains in several neighborhoods and early planning for the Allegheny Riverfront Trail Connectivity Project.

Mayor Corey O’Connor said the investment is intended to improve outdoor spaces used by residents, children and families. The city did not provide a construction schedule or a project-by-project breakdown of the grant in its announcement.

A portion of the money will support modernization work at Farmhouse Field and the installation of additional water fountains. City officials said those improvements are designed to make neighborhood parks more useful and accessible for recreation.

The remaining funds will begin the planning process for possible new and expanded trail links between eastern Pittsburgh neighborhoods and the Allegheny River trail network. The city identified Highland Park, Lincoln-Lemington-Belmar, Larimer and Morningside as communities that could eventually connect with the Allegheny Riverfront Trail and the Brilliant Line trail.

Williams said parks, trails and sports fields contribute to physical, mental and community health. Councilwoman Deb Gross said the planning funds would help advance local goals for trail connections and infrastructure while making city parks more welcoming.

The grant announcement describes the trail work as a connectivity-planning effort rather than a commitment to a final route or construction project. More detailed designs, costs and timelines would be expected as that planning moves forward.

Featured image: The fountain and formal garden at the entrance to Highland Park in Pittsburgh. File photo by Cbaile19/Wikimedia Commons, dedicated to the public domain under CC0. View the source image.

Source: City of Pittsburgh.

The Pittsburgh Times
editorial@thepittsburghtimes.com
Pittsburgh, PA