Friends has been working with Baldwin Borough to develop a narrow strip of riverfront property along the Monongahela River and Three Rivers Heritage Trail/Great Allegheny Passage (north of East Carson Street and west of the Keystone Iron and Metal Company). The space has some beautiful natural areas and is a little pocket of nature along the urban trail system. The most enticing feature of the location is that the property is excellent for birdwatching, specifically the Bald Eagle pair that nests in the slopes just across Carson Street.
In 2022, Friends and PashekMTR completed a site master plan and will be moving forward with design development of the first 2 phases. These phases include an observation deck with binocular viewers, bike racks and repair station, new signage, native plantings and more. Additionally, we are actively preparing grant applications to secure funding for construction of phases 1 and 2.
PROJECT PROGRESS
January – June 2023: Finalized scope of work to be included in the first phase of design and construction. Conducted multiple site visits.
July – December 2023: Coordinated with Tree Pittsburgh and Davey Tree to evaluate tree maintenance work needed for the site. Friends applied for and received additional funding for the project through RAD. Friends of the Riverfront and US Steel held a volunteer work day at the Park to clear a single-track trail, build ADA-accessible picnic tables, and bird houses. PashekMTR continued to develop the design. Site survey and wetland delineation work completed.
January – June 2024: PashekMTR continued to develop the design. Friends worked with Davey to develop work plan for tree maintenance. Held a Park Naming Contest for the park. Met with PA DEP and ACCD to discuss permitting requirements for the project.
July – August 2024: Davey completed tree maintenance along the trail and in the park site to clear dead branches and open up views to the river (in location of future river overlook deck).
Do you have questions regarding this project? Ask them here!
