Pittsburgh’s canoe and kayak scene got a big boost with the Oct. 1 opening of the 4th St. Three Rivers Water Trail Landing along the Monongahela.
Located at the end of 4th St. on Pittsburgh’s South Side, the new public access point is one of18 related landings dotting the region’s three rivers. Developed by
Friends of the Riverfront (FOTR), in partnership with the City of Pittsburgh and
Rivers of Steel, the $180,000 project received a grant from the
Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission.
“Kayakers and water people are really excited about this additional resource. Locally, recreational activities have been growing over the last few years,” says Thomas Baxter, with FOTR, which is developing a water access guide and user survey. “New shops like
REI are catering more to paddling. Tenants at RiverWalk Corporate Centre are storing kayaks in their offices and going out at lunch.”
The structure’s green design further underscores its function as a recreational and alternative transportation site. Its dock is built from sustainable kumaru, a durable teak-like renewable resource harvested in South America, which FOTR also uses to construct trail benches. Retrofitting an existing structure that was formerly used by barges, the adaptive reuse project is marked with large red paddle signs.
Designed by Pfaffmann + Associates, the landing features a large dock, native plantings and railings designed by
Red Star Ironworks. “They’re very forward thinking about their environment. Rob Pfaffmann is an avid passionate kayaker and understands the needs on the water,” adds Baxter, who says FOTR is planning a landing in Westfall St. on the Ohio River.
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Jennifer BaronSource: Thomas Baxter, executive director, Friends of the Riverfront
Image courtesy Friends of the Riverfront, Inc.