Legislation before Pittsburgh City Council would prohibit most development in the city’s parks and greenways.
Sponsored by Councilwoman Barb Warwick, D-Greenfield, the measure would bar nonrecreational development — including most roads — in city-owned parks and greenways.
“What this ordinance does is make it abundantly clear that our city parks are not to be used for housing or to build casinos or to build roads to get from one neighborhood to another,” Warwick said after introducing the bill Wednesday.
The measure would allow development within parks and greenways only “in furtherance of maintaining a system of parks and greenspaces for the enjoyment of the city’s residents and visitors,” according to the legislation.
The bill bars any residential development in parks and greenways, as well as most commercial establishments.
Exceptions would be granted to developments that are “required to protect the safety and health of the public,” buildings that house vehicles or equipment needed to maintain the park, developments related to agricultural activities and “commercial establishments which directly support the public’s recreational enjoyment” of the space.
The measure would not affect anything that already exists within a city park or greenway.
Under the proposal, roads would be permitted “for the sole purpose of connecting the park’s or greenway’s resources to the people.”
Roads could be allowed if there is not a financially or geographically reasonable alternative and if the benefits of the roadway outweigh its potentially adverse impacts. Roads also should conserve the “greatest amount of park or greenspace as feasibly possible,” according to the legislation.
If the legislation is approved, park roadway proposals would need to come before City Council for approval. This would give the public an opportunity to weigh in on proposed roads, Warwick said.
Warwick said she wanted to introduce the legislation after fighting to keep a shuttle road from being built through the city’s Schenley Park. She said she also wants to ensure the city’s newest park, Hays Woods, which is in her district, is safe from future developments.
“Our parks and green spaces are arguably our most valuable asset here in Pittsburgh,” she said. “This bill is intended to preserve them for the long-term.”
The measure will appear before council for further discussion next week. Council could take a preliminary vote as early as next week and a final vote as soon as the following week.
