$7 million upgrades revealed for Rachel Carson Riverfront Park in Cheswick

Cheswick resident Bruce Holtman carefully perused the newly released plans for upgrades to Rachel Carson Riverfront Park, noting the addition of restrooms, an elevated overlook and a boat dock.

“I like it all,” said Holtman, a borough resident for 25 years. “I don’t know if we can afford it all, but it’s needed.”

Cost of the project is expected to top $7 million.

Renderings were on display Saturday at the borough’s fall-themed Community Day where children painted pumpkins and members of the Allegheny Valley Volunteer Fire Company grilled hot dogs.

Designer Keely McDonald, from the Pittsburgh firm Pashek MTR, was on hand to answer questions from festival-goers who appeared excited about the park project.

Her firm began collecting input from residents nearly two years ago before the master plan was presented this weekend.

“This park already has a lovely view of the river,” McDonald said. “We’re just dressing it up a bit.”

The three-acre park, at the end of Duquesne Avenue near the Allegheny River, has a small pavilion and short walking trail but has long lacked access to water and sewer lines.

“It’s a great place for families,” said Ruth Breyak, who recently moved to Lower Burrell after 44 years in Springdale. “It has the potential to be even more.”

Highlights of Phase 1 include an expanded walking trail, a pavilion that seats 100, kitchenette and restrooms.

“Finally,” said Springdale resident Gloria Schrader. “I love the park. I used it all the time when I was running. But I think people would come more if there were restrooms.”

A recent sewer project will allow that wish to finally come to fruition. Restrooms are expected to be constructed, likely within a year, McDonald said.

Work will be paid by grants.

Funding for the larger portions of the project will take longer. McDonald expects work to begin in about three to five years on items like the fish and boat dock, kayak launch, bench swings and bigger pavilion.

Down the line, plans include a resurfaced parking lot, four-foot fence to border the train tracks, gazebo, stone overlook, meadow trail and natural playground.

McDonald said the park is special, in large part because of its riverfront. But for so long, people couldn’t access the water because of the coal barges that traveled to the nearby Cheswick Generating Station.

Since that facility was decommissioned and torn down, she said one big goal is back in everyone’s sights: to connect people to the water.

“We’re just going to build on the nice features that already exist,” she said.