Pittsburgh’s rivers and riverfront trails are set to improve as a new plan outlines a 10-year vision, positioning Pittsburgh as a premier destination for outdoor recreation.Friends of the Riverfront authored the The Three Rivers Water Trail Management Plan with support from the Port of Pittsburgh Commission, Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission and the Pennsylvania Environmental Council. The plan emphasizes the water trails as community connectors, providing water access points, boat launches and amenities for recreation, connection and education.The Three Rivers Water Trail, part of the larger Pennsylvania Water Trail system, is a network of more than 30 non-motorized boat launches and river access points on the Allegheny, Monongahela and Ohio rivers. It features 96 miles of land and water trails spanning 67 municipalities. Friends of the Riverfront created the Three Rivers Water Trail in the late 1990s and early 2000s, according to Kelsey Ripper, executive director of Friends of the Riverfront. The organization also developed, managed and expanded the 35-mile Three Rivers Heritage Trail, which generated $26.5 million in economic impact in 2023. “Since then, we’ve been adding sites, and the water trail is becoming increasingly popular as people are reconnecting with the rivers, wanting to get close to and on the rivers,” she says. “Now that we’ve seen the trail in action for 20 years, what do the next 10 years look like?”Ripper says the plan — the first of its kind for the trail — is a blueprint to expand the water trail, increase accessibility and ensure that the trail and access points are well-maintained for years to come. The Management Plan focuses on four key pillars:AccessibilityThe plan aims to improve equitable access to water recreation for all residents and visitors. “We wanted to make sure that people were able to access public transit to get to these water access points,” says Courtney Mahronich Vita, Friends of the Riverfront’s director of trail development and government relations. “We’re also looking at evaluating areas where we can potentially put in docking systems or accessible docks. Currently, the only one in Allegheny County is in Springdale Borough for those with physical disabilities to access the water safely.”Conditions and maintenanceThe report outlines standards for maintaining safe, high-quality experiences at water access points for paddlers, anglers and visitors. More than 20 organizations assist in maintaining sites.  “Municipalities are looking towards waterfront development,” Mahronich Vita adds. “We wanted to be able to help them by maintaining our 33 launches throughout Allegheny County.”All of the launches, she says, are in usable condition. The goal is to improve amenities including picnic tables, benches and better signage. The stewardship team at Friends of the Riverfront is also looking at addressing knotweed growth. Friends will meet with municipalities to work on general maintenance over the next six to eight months. This map shows a network of some 30 non-motorized boat launches and river access points on the Allegheny, Monongahela and Ohio rivers. The Three Rivers Water Trail Management Plan aims to improve the conditions and maintenance and accessibility, as well as promote and expand these sites. Image courtesy of Friends of the Riverfront.ExpansionThe plan proposes new water access points in underserved areas and enhancing current sites to support non-motorized watercraft activities. “Not everyone goes to the launches for motorized boat access,” Mahronich Vita says. “Some people go down there to enjoy the riverfronts, and we have a really big angling population that is growing in Allegheny County, or people who just want to sit and read a book.”In the short term, the goal is to add two access points over the next two years. There is also a lack of overnight camping sites, as well as dining. Long-distance paddlers would benefit from more camping opportunities, like those that exist at Sycamore Island on the Allegheny River.Existing site images of the Clemente Bridge Launch on Sixth Street on the Allegheny River. The report details current conditions and areas for improvement for all of the launches. Image courtesy of Friends of the Riverfront.PromotionThis creates a targeted promotional strategy to elevate the water trail’s profile as a recreational and cultural asset here in Pittsburgh and nationally.Mahronich Vita says that there is a perception that waterways are for commercial traffic. And the plan aims to challenge common misperceptions of Pittsburgh’s rivers, including that they are not suitable for recreation.“Everyone thinks of Pittsburgh’s steel history and industry,” she says. “There have been a lot of efforts to clean up the water quality and the waterways are open for recreation.”“We have a really unique opportunity to see everything from the natural side,” Ripper says. “From bald eagles, osprey, great blue heron, to industry like the Hazelwood Green industrial remnants — it is such an interesting juxtaposition between the natural world and our industrial past. There is a lot of history to learn along our rivers. The water trail provides the opportunity to see architecture from the water, the gorgeous skyline, and a unique opportunity to see from the riverfront itself that make it a really special place.”The post 10-year vision for Three Rivers Water Trail seeks to expand and improve trail access appeared first on NEXTpittsburgh.