This September, the Buhl Foundation awarded $1 million to Riverlife, one of Pittsburgh’s premiere conservation organizations. Any observer can tell that Pittsburgh has a plethora of natural parkland and riverfront space. However, its residents are unable to enjoy much of it due to inaccessibility or litter. The Buhl Foundation’s $1 million award to Riverlife will support its largest project working to combat this: Allegheny Landing, between the Roberto Clemente and Andy Warhol Bridges next to PNC Park.
The work on Allegheny Landing is part of Riverlife’s “Completing the Loop” initiative. This project aims to make public park space available along all three rivers, rather than at small, scattered separate intervals. In creating the initiative, Riverlife first identified fifteen riverfront neighborhoods. Then, in 2021 they began work on connecting trail space and creating public park areas
“The next phase of Completing the Loop is all about connectivity and creating access across the fifteen miles of Riverlife’s Loop,” Riverlife representative Emily Balawejder told TABLE. At Allegheny Riverfront Park, Riverlife plans to break ground on a restoration of the Upper Level in early 2025. Balawejder also said that Riverlife is seeking funding sources for historically disconnected spaces along the Loop. This means improving accessibility specifically in neighborhoods around the West End Bridge.
Buhl Foundation Gift Supports Riverlife’s Goal to Create Fun, Accessible Spaces Along Pittsburgh’s Rivers
On the gift, Diana Bucco of the Buhl Foundation said that “Pittsburgh’s three rivers and riverfronts are natural assets. Every resident and visitor should have the pleasure of accessing and enjoying them. Our $1 million contribution reflects our commitment to Riverlife. We support its extraordinary efforts to transform Pittsburgh’s 15 miles of interconnected riverfront park systems and reactivate Allegheny Landing, a Northside asset.”
In future parks, Riverlife wants to highlight playful, inviting elements of urban design. “Play in urban landscapes can foster creativity, curiosity, and engagement. It means transforming spaces into places where people can interact with the environment and each other,” Balawejder said. “At Allegheny Landing, that includes swoops, nooks, and crannies that invite exploration, diverse and native plants that stimulate the senses, and art that surprises and delights.”
Balawejder also highlighted that in these upcoming projects, Riverlife hopes to engage more directly with the natural landscape, too. “The river itself plays a vital role, and we look forward to opportunities to enhance access to on-the-water activities that open up more possibilities for recreation and play,” she said. “Design elements such as hillside slides, water features, and multifunctional overlooks that can double as stages make play more accessible and imaginative.” The gift from the Buhl Foundation will allow Riverlife to bring more of these imaginative spaces into reality as parkland to be enjoyed for generations to come.
Story by Emma Riva / Photo courtesy of Riverlife
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