THE WIDE PROMENADE OF ALLEGHENY COMMONS ON THE NORTH SIDE, WITH NEW LIGHTING, BENCHES AND OTHER AMENITIES. THE GEORGE WASHINGTON MONUMENT IS IN THE BACKGROUND | PHOTOS BY JOE RIEBLING

It’s considered the front yard of North Side neighborhoods and the beating heart of the local community.

Allegheny Commons, established in 1867 as the oldest park in the City of Pittsburgh, is sporting a new luster after the last phase of a multiyear rehabilitation project has been completed to restore it to its former splendor. 

When the park was designed, it was meant to emulate the grandeur of New York City’s Central Park, with its wide promenade, sweeping lake and arched bridges. The park was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2013, but at that point it was showing its age with cracked sidewalks, deficient lighting, missing benches and walkways that didn’t always meet up with other paths.

In an effort to restore and preserve the park, a group of citizens formed the Allegheny Commons Initiative, an all-volunteer organization, which developed a master plan for park improvements in 2002. But it was such a massive undertaking that the group eventually partnered with the nonprofit Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy and other groups to help move the project forward. The actual work got underway in 2020.

The latest improvements — which stretch along the park’s North Promenade from Federal Street toward the George Washington Monument — include resurfacing of pathways, planting canopy trees and adding historically appropriate benches and trash receptacles. In addition there were mobility and pedestrian upgrades and installation of 15 historically appropriate light posts with energy-efficient and dark sky-compliant lighting. 

This phase was funded with $1 million, allocated over four years, by Duquesne Light Co. to cover the lighting improvements and $800,000 from the City of Pittsburgh Parks Tax Trust Fund, which was directed to the parks conservancy through its public-private partnership agreement. Additional funding came from the Commonwealth Financing Authority.

“The enhancements made at Allegheny Commons Park provide an opportunity for residents and visitors to safely enjoy the historic space for many years to come,” said Kevin Walker, president and CEO of DLC, in a statement.

City Councilman Bobby Wilson agreed: “The completion of this project proves what can be accomplished when city government and private organizations come together for the betterment of the community.”

ANOTHER VIEW OF THE RESTORED PROMENADE AT ALLEGHENY COMMONS.

The first phase of improvements to the North Promenade, completed by the conservancy in 2021, involved a section that stretched from the recently refurbished Patricia Rooney Memorial Fountain to Federal Street. That phase cost $1 million, which came primarily from the Commonwealth Financing Authority.

The work included the building of new pedestrian crossings at Federal and Arch streets, planted medians and a new setting for the George Washington Monument — unveiled in 1891 after a parade commemorating the first president’s birthday — in a well-scaled oval plaza. There were also benches and energy efficient lighting added in this first project.