Pennsylvania’s 124 state parks are beautiful and free to visit -- and with 72 million people within four hours’ driving distance, the Commonwealth is truly the Great American Getaway.
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania -- Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn today visited Point State Park to celebrate the completion of the Mon Wharf Connector, expanding trail access from the Commonwealth’s second-largest city.
“This new, reconfigured connecting ramp joins the Great Allegheny Passage between Point State Park and the Monongahela Wharf under the Fort Pitt Bridge, creating safer trail access for users,”
Dunn said. “We are truly excited for this connector and the opportunities it will provide for trail users. Thank you to all of the partners who helped build this important trail connector for Pittsburgh and the region.”
This long-awaited improvement reroutes the Great Allegheny Passage along the Monongahela River rather than directly adjacent to I-376, removes a narrow “pinch point” obstruction caused by highway piers, and eliminates a section of trail contiguous with the parking lot behind the state park offices.
The completed project improves the trail’s surface, width, grade, lighting, railings, and lines of sight -- all conditions intended to encourage safe travel.
Governor Josh Shapiro is supporting the outdoor recreation economy by proposing an $8.5 million additional investment in parks and forests that will make Pennsylvania a premier destination for exceptional trail experiences, benefiting the economic competitiveness of communities, tourism, and public health.
State parks like Point offer fantastic outdoor experiences that truly make Pennsylvania -- The Great American Getaway.
Outdoor recreation adds $17 billion to Pennsylvania’s economy, supporting 164,344 jobs, and accounting for 1.8 percent of the Commonwealth’s gross domestic product, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
Governor Shapiro also recently launched The Great American Getaway on a recreational vehicle tour across Pennsylvania, becoming the first sitting Governor to spend the night in a state park with overnights at Lyman Run and Hickory Run.
“We expect to see millions of visitors at our state parks this summer and encourage the public to consider spending time finding adventure or enjoying a quiet moment on public lands as the Shapiro family experienced,”
said John Norbeck, DCNR Deputy Secretary for State Parks and Forests. “Pennsylvania’s state parks and forests are second to none and there truly is something for everyone in our wonderful outdoor spaces.”
Point State Park provides recreational space for visitors, is the site of major cultural events, and is home to historic Fort Pitt and the
Fort Pitt Museum.
Visit the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources’ website for more information about
Point State Park and check out the department’s
Calendar of Events for events on public lands.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Wesley Robinson, 717-877-6315
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