Friends of the Riverfront

06/13/2026

Some recent photos taken of the Trail by our amazing Trail Ambassadors! 😁

Featuring a photo from our Trail Ambassador who co-founded Joy Riders: A Biking Program for Persons with Limited Mobility. Find out more about this program here: https://www.joyriderspgh.org/

06/11/2026

FYI: upcoming trail closure along the Great Allegheny Passage

Beginning the evening of July 9, a two-mile segment of the Great Allegheny Passage between the Whitaker Flyover (approximately mile marker 136) and the Port Perry Flyover (approximately mile marker 138) will be temporarily closed so that professional geotechnical contractors deployed by the Regional Trail Corporation can perform preventative rock scaling work along a steep hillside underneath Kennywood Park and PA-837 that is susceptible to rockfall, downed trees and landslides. This segment of the GAP will remain closed until August 6. There is no detour.

The Great Allegheny Passage Conservancy has arranged for a licensed shuttle service to provide transportation for GAP travelers (including bicyclists and their bicycles) between the official GAP-branded trail access area in Duquesne and Homestead, starting on the morning of July 10. The service will operate from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, seven days a week, until the rock scaling project is complete. The shuttle fee is $20/person. The shuttle will be first-come, first-served, but may deviate in order to accommodate families traveling together. Shuttle and project details here: https://gaptrail.org/trail-alert/segment-closure-and-shuttle-between-duquesne-and-homestead/

06/10/2026

You may have noticed some furry volunteers along the Duck Hollow segment of the Heritage Trail. Our friends at Allegheny GoatScape continue to partner in the restoration of the riparian viewshed by munching down non-native invasive species, the first step in full suppression.

Stop by to say hi, but don’t touch! 🐐

06/08/2026

Looking to get out on the water this season?

Check out our Three Rivers Water Trail Map & Guide, which lists all of our non-motorized boat launches and includes some suggested trips. Friends of the Riverfront manages 34 launches as part of the Water Trail - on all 4 rivers!

View the map and find out more about the Water Trail here: https://friendsoftheriverfront.org/three-rivers-water-trail/

06/07/2026

Summer is (almost) officially here! ☀

We have tons of events coming around the corner, with plenty of opportunities to get out on both the land and water trail.

Join us for trail care, a bike ride, a train on the trail, or all of the above!

More information about each event and registration can be found on our website - just head over to our Events Calendar: https://friendsoftheriverfront.org/events/

06/06/2026

What's a better way to celebrate National Trails Day than to introduce our Restoration Site Spotlight Series? 🌱 We’re excited to launch a new monthly series highlighting the restoration sites and stewardship projects that make up our work across Allegheny County.

Each month, we’ll take a closer look at a different site to share the behind-the-scenes work that goes into caring for these spaces. First up: Duck Hollow segment of the Heritage Trail!

Since stewardship efforts began at this site in early 2024, work has included non-native invasive vegetation suppression, tree pruning and undesirable vegetation removal, and restoration of tree canopy and native understory through plantings. Recent stewardship efforts have included:
- Tree tending, encroaching vegetation and debris removal, and litter collection with Allegheny CleanWays
- Removing invasive honeysuckle and planting over 100 trees
- Volunteer trail care with nearly 50 volunteers from the Pittsburgh Penguins, U.S. Steel, and Wesco
- ACLD Tillotson School donating and growing 70 red oak saplings
- West Mifflin 9th Graders learning about environmental stewardship through our Roots & Rivers Program

These projects help improve ecosystem health, support native species, and keep trails welcoming and accessible for everyone. Stay tuned for next month’s spotlight and check out our new stewardship project webpages on our website for you to learn more: https://friendsoftheriverfront.org/trail_steward_projec/18835/

06/05/2026

Exciting news!

The new trail segment at the Esplanade site opens today! The trail will officially be open and the current detour removed by the end of the day today. Thank you for respecting the temporary detour of this segment - and we are so excited for our users to enjoy this new and improved trail segment.

Additional work planned for this summer will require another temporary closure of this section with the detour reinstated, and we will let you know when that is once we know more details. For now, happy trails! 🚴‍♂️🏃‍♀️

06/01/2026

Three Rivers Water Trail season is here! 🌊

We recently removed 250 lbs. of litter and debris from the riverfront at the Sewickley Water Trail Launch during our first water trail care event of the year.

Join us on June 14 in Sewickley for our Train on the Tail: Watercraft and Boat Safety session to learn more about safely paddling our three rivers, basic kayaking techniques, and group paddle on the Ohio River. Space is limited so register today: https://friendsoftheriverfront.org/event/train-on-the-trail-watercraft-and-boat-safety/

05/29/2026

Another successful FriendsFest!🥳🎊

A HUGE thank you to everyone who came out last night and enjoyed a beautiful evening at West End Overlook Park. We enjoyed food, drinks, trivia, raffles, amazing views, and celebrated our organization's 35th birthday with birthday cake and archives from over the years!

We couldn't do what we do without support from our Members, donors, partners, and volunteers. You make our work possible - and this was our little way of saying thank you for that!

You can become a Member of Friends anytime: https://secure.qgiv.com/for/friendsoftheriverfront. We'd be lucky to have you! 😊