Point State Park fountain roars back after renovation
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Point State Park's iconic fountain is flowing a month early — fresh off the park's multimillion-dollar makeover — as Pittsburgh prepares to show off for NFL Draft crowds later this month.
Why it matters: The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources' $3.4 million Point State Park renovation finished ahead of schedule late last year, readying the 36-acre site for a bevy of big events, including the draft and the nation's 250th anniversary celebrations in July.
Driving the news: Lt. Gov. Austin Davis joined state and local leaders on Tuesday to celebrate the improvements, ceremonially firing up the 51-year-old fountain for the season.
Zoom in: Point State Park operations manager Jake Weiland said the $3.4 million was used to modernize the fountain's electrical and mechanical systems, replacing switchboards and wiring, and to install 270 LED lights. The old system was last upgraded close to a decade ago, he said.
- "Technology had passed us by, and we were having a difficult time managing that lighting system and making repairs because it was so outdated," he said.
- That means the fountain will no longer have color options — only white, Weiland said.
Other upgrades include new hardscape along walkways; native plants, such as sumacs, throughout the lawn; and tweaks to the park's lighting, flag bastion and parking lot.
What they're saying: "I do have to emphasize it's not just for the tourists; it's for all of us," said County Executive Sara Innamorato. "When I talk about Downtown revitalization and investments we're making … I always say 'yinzers deserve nice things.'"
Context: The fountain was off last season during construction, which also relocated events such as the city's 4th of July celebration. Park staff typically turn on the fountain each May in time for the Pittsburgh Marathon.
The big picture: The facelift is part of Gov. Josh Shapiro's broader 10-year, $600 million plan to revitalize Downtown.
- Shapiro has pledged $33 million more for long-term upgrades at Point State Park. Plans are still early, but construction could begin in 2028, said DCNR secretary Cindy Adams Dunn.
If you go: The fountain is open through fall — typically from around 8am to 10pm — with extended hours for big events like the NFL Draft, Weiland said.