Book Details Development of Allegheny Riverfronts
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
29 January 2011
By Timothy Puko
Every town in Allegheny County will soon have a new guide to help them
enjoy the region's rivers.
The county and two nonprofit partners have released "Allegheny's
Riverfronts: A Progress Report on Municipal Riverfront Development in
Allegheny County." The 24-page book details work completed in 2010
along the county's 185 miles of riverfront to help promote river living.
"If the community is reminded just how valuable this resource is, or
appreciates the tremendous effort that goes into reclaiming these
waters and this riverfront, they'll see it has been a monumental effort
over the last few decades," said John F. Rohe, vice president of
philanthropy at the Colcom Foundation. "Hopefully, it will summon a
fervent spirit to respect and preserve that resource for the future."
Colcom and the Richard King Mellon Foundation helped fund the book, the
second edition. The Friends of the Riverfront and the Pennsylvania
Environmental Council helped write it.
The photo-filled report contains updates on funding for a trail in
O'Hara and on the conservation of an island near Blawnox. It shows the
new Homestead Labyrinth and notes national recognition for the rivers,
which hosted the world's richest bass-fishing championship and garnered
acclaim from President Obama during the G-20 economic summit.
"We get to demonstrate that all this kind of work crosses lines and
adds to the county in all different ways," said Darla Cravotta, the
county's special projects coordinator. "It's to encourage people to
begin to look for things that they may not have seen."
Timothy Puko can be reached at tpuko@tribweb.com or 412-320-7991.