BIKEPGH MESSAGE BOARD ARCHIVE

So glad this is happening, not just for the trail connections. These riverfront parks are great for the surrounding communities. Also, that playground sculpture is fantastic.

That sculpture is really cool. Here is more about it. http://www.post-gazette.com/ae/art-architecture/2014/04/30/Aspinwall-park-to-house-1-million-plus-sculpture-that-kids-can-crawl-on/stories/201404300041 Also, this is really exciting. I hope they can connect to the trail in Millvale. http://www.bizjournals.com/pittsburgh/news/2015/09/02/exclusive-major-stretch-of-allegheny-riverfront.html

ICYMI: The Allegheny River Trails Action Committee, Bike Pittsburgh, Friends of the Riverfront, Allegheny County, and ARTEZ invite you to attend a public community planning meeting for the trails initiative on September 19th, 2015 at 11:00am at Fugh Hall (Etna Fire Department), 27 Crescent St., Pittsburgh, PA 15223.

From scrap to riverfront jewel? Riverfront property to be converted into green space http://www.post-gazette.com/local/north/2015/09/18/From-scrap-to-riverfront-jewel-Riverfront-property-to-be-converted-into-green-space/stories/201509180031

Wish I could attend that meeting. I heard Etna was trying to do something with that land around the 62nd Street Bridge, but not sure. On the Aspinwall land, I heard they are keeping that huge old crane in place, which appears to be right in the middle of that land. It is huge! I don't get that, but understand keeping something for history sake, but that is just too big and not to mention ugly. I still can't believe this deal went through. Never thought I would see the day. Thanks for the update. A little more on the trails around Blawnox and other areas in that region. http://triblive.com/neighborhoods/yourfoxchapel/yourfoxchapelmore/9090164-74/bike-trail-artez#axzz3m6U2Q42U

Here is a bit about the Etna Riverfront Park: http://www.artez.org/etna-riverfront-park/

At Aspinwall Riverfront Park event Sunday, County Exec Rich Fitzgerald and State Sen Randy Vulakovich both made comment trumpeting the need to complete the trail past Millvale. County now sees trails not as recreation, but as part of the transportation matrix and an economic engine. ARTEZ has a grant to establish a "practical alternative" from Millvale (meaning mostly on-street), while DCED+Allegheny County+Friends of the Riverfront assemble the master wish list of grade crossings the preferred alignment would require. Hopefully the state and county can put the money where the mouths are and get the trail past Millvale and Sharpsburg. Very exciting time for mid-allegheny valley - announcement of Riverfront 47 development, Saturday night River Rocks event raised possibly $150K for ARP, Park event Sunday - - let's hope the momentum carries!

Thanks for that update. I had to work of course, so I couldn't attend. I still can't believe the scrap yard is no longer a scrap yard. I have no idea how they can get the trail from Millvale to Aspinwall, but if they can, that would be amazing. Sadly the RR really doesn't want anyone to enjoy the riverfront and just wants its neighbors to "keep out", so the battle will sure be uphill. Just thinking how hateful the RR folks are to hire constables to not allow people to cross their tracks on Panther Hollow where you can see a long way in each direction and not to mention that one train runs through there a day makes you realize that they just don't like their neighbors. It is what it is I guess.

I stopped in there on my ride home the other day, it really is becoming a nice park. A quick note for those that choose to bike there, (and im not complaining about this, just mentioning it) once you turn off of Freeport road it gets nasty. There is a rail crossing that is very sketchy, also there is a lot of loose gravel and some deep gravel on the short driveway back into the park. Just be careful and Im sure that since this park is a work in progress, it will improve shortly.