While on vacation, Dave Malehorn, who I met through Friends of the Riverfront has agreed to send me blog entries. Here is today’s
This evening after work I rode a bus downtown on a errand, and while there I took the time to walk to both sides of the point to take some pictures of the rivers.
Crossing the 9th Street (Rachel Carson) Bridge across the Allegheny, one can see construction activity at the water’s edge in front of the David Lawrence Convention Center. I haven’t seen the final plans, but it looks like they are engineering continuity with the Riverfront Park bike trail, as well as water access through the tunnel which leads to their water feature. I believe the final implementation will include docks too.
Heading further down the Allegheny within Riverfront Park (North bank) I came to the 6th Street ramp, directly beneath the north end of the 6th Street (Roberto Clemente) Bridge. Venture Outdoors has a very, very active concession here, renting single and tandem kayaks during the boating season. For all my friends, who express interest in kayaking, I invariably advise renting first, to see if there is something offputting about the up-close-and-personal boating experience in a kayak. [Many Craigslist kayaks for sale say, "Used only once."]
In the picture of the 6th Street access, you should also note another of the Friends of the Riverfront orange paddle signs which list mileage upriver, relative to the Point. Just out of the shot is one of the FOR boat racks which are installed at a number of water access points. I most frequently use the 6th Street rack, to lock up my kayak if I’m boating downtown for a baseball or football game, or a Cultural District Event.
Walking across the Ft Duquesne Bridge to Point State Park, I snapped a photo of the construction which continues within the park. It will be quite some time before the fountain is renovated and switched back on; until then, considerable stone work is being done to repair Belgian pavers, and to enlarge seating areas. When done, this will be a prime viewing area for the many Zambelli fireworks displays which take place on the river during holidays and SkyBlast baseball nights.
Finally I walked over to the Mon to take a picture of the rehabbed Mon Wharf, where RiverLife has engineered a lighted bike trail with a number of bench seats, and several sets of steps down into the water. This too is part of a larger long-term plan in which this stretch will get connected both to Point State Park, as well as with the Eliza Furnace (“Jail”) Trail.
Some day, folks, this completed system of connected bike and water trails is going to be one of the gems of our nation.
