PITTSBURGH, PA (June 11, 2020) The Department of City Planning has completed the Sheraden Park Master Plan and will begin working toward implementation of projects and programs.
The Sheraden Park Master Plan prioritizes the park’s ecology, improves access and park visibility, provides new amenities to the community, and makes important basic improvements. The goal of the plan is to guide the development of a safe and healthy park that residents felt invested in.
The final plan focuses on six categories of improvements:
- Circulation and access to the park through bicycle lanes, road connections, a pedestrian bridge to McKees Rocks, parking improvements, and hiking trail additions.
- Facility improvements to rest areas and park buildings, stair repair, lighting and safety improvements, and tunnel murals.
- Social and educational additions including Lewis & Clark historical signage, an ADA accessible community garden, an apiary, event seating, wilderness education area, and a dog park.
- Nature-based recreation opportunities including mountain bike trails, kayak rentals, boardwalk along Chartiers Creek, and a pier for fishing, birding, and exercise.
- Organized recreation spaces including full-size football and soccer fields, sand volleyball courts, relocation of basketball courts, programming for youth and adult recreation leagues, discovery garden play area, relocation of the Tuxedo Park skate park, forest embankment slides, a boat launch in Chartiers Creek, and a dirt bike facility.
- Environmental improvements include slope stabilization, invasive species management, aquatic habitat protection and management, rain gardens and stormwater ponds, and subsurface detention.
The Plan also creates a unified network of parks for Sheraden residents that brings together Sheraden Park, McGonigle Park, and Tuxedo Street Park, and makes Sheraden Park the first park in the West End with direct access to water by including property owned by ALCOSAN into the park.
Studio Bryan Hanes, consultants on the development of the plan, will provide additional support for small projects and events for residents and community organizations.
The City is completing a grant for funding to match City budget for Phase I implementation. The next steps for Sheraden Park will be design and construction of projects through the Department of Public Works, which will include additional community engagement opportunities.
“The Sheraden community was heavily involved in the planning process and together we developed a plan that will bring the community a safe, accessible park with recreational opportunities for everyone,” said Martina Battistone, project manager. “The plan truly reflects the priorities of the community that we heard through the public engagement process, and we are excited to begin implementing the plan through collaboration with key stakeholders and organizations.”
“I am grateful to Mayor Peduto for making District 2 a priority in the 2020 budget,” said Theresa Kail-Smith, councilwoman for District 2. “The work in Sheraden Park is evidence of his commitment to our area. We appreciate his Chief of Staff Dan Gilman, City Planning, and the residents who contributed to the creation of the plan, especially the tremendous number of children who made their voices heard. I am looking forward to the beginning of implementation.”
Read the full plan here.
For More Information:
Martina Battistone
Project Manager, Senior Environmental Planner
Martina.Battistone@pittsburghpa.gov
Andrew Dash
Acting Director, Department of City Planning
Andrew.Dash@pittsburghpa.gov
