First look: Arts Landing park
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Pittsburgh's newest park is nearly ready and will open the first day of the NFL draft.
Why it matters: Arts Landing converted a vacant lot into a 4-acre green space complete with Downtown's first public playground, plus sculptures, a great lawn and a canopy and stage that will be the Three Rivers Arts Festival's permanent home.
Driving the news: Gov. Josh Shapiro joined local officials to cut the ribbon Friday.
What they're saying: "We built a place for the community in the heart of Downtown," said Shapiro. "Pittsburgh is on the rise and this is just the beginning."
- "This park is part of the belief that we deserve better and can have better things," said Allegheny County Executive Sara Innamorato.

Zoom in: A wooden playground has ropes, a slide and climbers.
- The 1-acre great lawn is on a slight hill for views of the stage and Rachel Carson and Andy Warhol bridges.
- There are 23 works of art by 10 artists peppered throughout the park.
State of play: The park will initially be open draft days April 23–25, 9am–6pm for the Pitt Block Party.
- It will still be enclosed by fencing during the draft and will have a security screening, according to the Cultural Trust.
- A soft opening and removal of the fences is scheduled for April 29.

Between the lines: Arts Landing took 22 months from concept to ribbon cutting, a quick timeline for such a large project, said Cultural Trust CEO Kendra Whitlock Ingram.
- The deadline of the NFL draft next week helped speed up the process, she said.
Follow the money: The project cost $31 million and is funded by two-thirds private funds and one-third public funds, said Ingram.
- The Regional Asset District — funded by Allegheny County's 1% sales tax — contributed $5 million.

What's next: The grand opening is June 5 to coincide with the start of the Three Rivers Arts Fest, per the Cultural Trust.
- The park's visitor center — and its public restrooms — will open that day.
- Pickleball courts and a fitness track will open later in the summer, said Whitlock Ingram.
