Water steps on Pittsburgh's North Shore still dry
Usually by this time of the year, water is cascading down a set of North Shore steps and children are splashing around.
The Water Steps, a popular destination at the North Shore Riverfront Park near PNC Park, have not been filled to flow — yet.
According to the Sports & Exhibition Authority of Pittsburgh and Allegheny County, a date to open has not yet been determined. The exhibition authority is still consulting with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Pennsylvania Department of Health.
Updates will be posted on the exhibition authority’s website. The water steps are constructed of nearly 500 blocks of sandstone cut from a Butler County quarry and more than 1,000 smaller pieces of sandstone, according to its website.
The steps are approximately 40 feet wide at the top. They broaden as the steps descend.
The area where they are located is known as Canal Square. It was completed in 2007. It is 88 feet wide and features a reflecting pool.
The canal flows from the same source as the water steps. The sides of the pool have sandstone curbs. At the midpoint of the canal is a small waterfall and a 12-foot wide pedestrian bridge, so that visitors can cross the canal.
JoAnne Klimovich Harrop is a TribLive reporter covering the region's diverse culinary scene and unique homes. She writes features about interesting people. The Edward R. Murrow award-winning journalist began her career as a sports reporter. She has been with the Trib for 26 years and is the author of "A Daughter's Promise." She can be reached at jharrop@triblive.com.
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