Friends of the Riverfront

08/09/2026

Scenes from the Trail, taken by our personal photographers - our Trail Ambassadors. 😁

We love to see photos of the Trail and Trail users, as well as hear stories about your experiences, like the one from our wonderful Ambassador Gary below:

"My nephew grew up in Pittsburgh but had served in the Air Force for the past 20 years and relocated back to Pittsburgh. He had never been on the trails nor was he familiar with Friends of the Riverfront. I was able to introduce him to both on a 20-mile ride from S. 4th Street to the Kennywood closure and then back through Station Square to the West End. He loved it and we will be taking his entire family on a ride tomorrow."

It's stories like this that reminds us how the Trail connects us all!

08/07/2026

Monthly Restoration Site Spotlight: River Avenue 🌳

This month, we're highlighting our River Avenue Restoration Site, where staff, volunteers, and partners have been working to improve habitat and ecological health along the Three Rivers Heritage Trail. This work is guided by a multi-year River Avenue Invasive Species Management Plan - which Friends of the Riverfront is implementing in collaboration with Riverlife, the Fourth River Workers Guild, Landforce, and the City of Pittsburgh Department of Public Works.

Since restoration efforts began in 2023, 337 volunteers have contributed 888 hours across 23 volunteer days to help advance restoration at the site. Together they've removed invasive species, improved growing conditions for native plants, and opened river viewsheds. The results are already becoming visible! We're seeing species such as goldenrod, asters, St. John's wort, boneset, and white snakeroot becoming more prevalent - an encouraging sign that ecological succession is underway and that native plant communities are responding to restoration efforts.

Ecological restoration is a long-term process, and River Avenue demonstrates the power of sustained stewardship and partnership. Thank you to the volunteers, partners, and supporters who have helped make this progress possible. We look forward to sharing more updates as restoration work continues!

08/04/2026

Nine Mile Run Trail is now open!

Commercial Street and Nine Mile Run trail have officially reopened now that Parkway East bridge construction is complete.

Thanks to everyone for your patience—and to Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), Pittsburgh Mobility and Infrastructure, Pittsburgh Public Safety Department, and the crews who helped keep traffic moving during the closure.

08/04/2026

Photos from our trail care event on Washington's Landing last Thursday. 😊

We couldn't do what we do without YOU! Each and every volunteer who comes out to help us care for our trails makes a difference.

Feeling inspired? Register for an upcoming trail care day event today: https://friendsoftheriverfront.org/events/

08/03/2026

We're so excited for our event next Tuesday! Join us as Fair Shake Environmental Legal Services and Friends of the Riverfront, and hopefully YOU participate in a Conversation on Data Centers and Community Benefit Agreements!

Tuesday, August 11, 2026, 5-7pm, Rachel Carson Park, 298 S, Duquesne Ave, Cheswick

Data centers are coming to more communities, bringing questions about their impact on our neighborhoods, infrastructure, environment, and quality of life.
Join me for a community conversation with your neighbors and local advocates to learn about Community Benefits Agreements (CBAs)—legally binding agreements between data center developers and host communities that help ensure measurable public benefits, address community concerns, and promote transparency, accountability, and equity.

We'll discuss:

-What a Community Benefits Agreement is and what it can include.
-Why Community Benefits Agreements matter and what rights communities have.
-The Data Center Fair Share Act, Senator Williams' legislation that would require Community Benefits Agreements between data center developers and surrounding communities.
-What you can do to help secure meaningful community benefits.

Whether you're just learning about data centers or already engaged in the conversation, your voice matters. We hope you'll join us!

08/03/2026

Looking to get out this weekend and help clean up our waterways?

Join us on August 15th from 9am - 12pm at our upcoming Water Trail Care opportunity in Springdale, PA! Volunteers will launch from Springdale Boat Ramp and paddle along the Allegheny River, collecting litter and debris along the way.

Check out the link below for more information and how to register:

Join us at the Springdale Launch on the Allegheny River section of the Three Rivers Water Trail for a river-based Water Trail Care opportunity! Volunteers will launch from the Springdale Launch and paddle upriver. Volunteers will collect trash along the way, docking on the riverbanks where we can to...

07/31/2026

⚠️ : A portion of the Eliza Furnace section of the Three Rivers Heritage Trail will be narrowed down to a single lane and might experience temporary stoppages as PennDOT works to fix a portion of I-376 near mile marker 72.5 on Wednesday, August 5 from 9am to 3pm.

The work should be completed in one day but is weather-dependent. Please use caution if using this trail section on that day and plan accordingly!

Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) Great Allegheny Passage

07/29/2026

Great news! Funding from Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission was awarded to Pittsburgh Mobility and Infrastructure for slope stabilization and trail restoration on the Chateau section of the Three Rivers Heritage Trail that has been closed. The grant awarded will fund the engineering and construction of this restoration project!

Thank you to our trail users for their patience and advocacy of this important project. We can't wait to see this section back up and open! 😁🚴‍♀️🏃‍♀️👨‍🦽🚶‍♂️

Big news for Pittsburgh Mobility and Infrastructure!

The City of Pittsburgh has been awarded $2.3 million in grant funding from the Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission to:
✔️ Improve safety and accessibility at the Liberty Avenue, Main Street, and Bloomfield Bridge intersection.
✔️ Restore and reopen a section of the Three Rivers Heritage Trail in Chateau.

Check out the full press release and learn more about the projects: https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/PAPITT/bulletins/422a5dc

07/25/2026

Haven't volunteered with us this season yet? Here's your sign to do so.

Give back to the community, make new friends, and get outside at an upcoming trail care day! Every single volunteer makes a difference in keeping our trails cared for.
Check out our events listing here: https://friendsoftheriverfront.org/events/

07/23/2026

: The Trail is closed in front of the Allegheny County Jail for repairs. Please use caution and plan accordingly!