The Three Rivers Water Trail is a series of 31 river access points along the Allegheny, Ohio, and Monongahela, and Youghiogheny Rivers in Allegheny County (Pittsburgh, PA). Many Pittsburghers (including Amy!) can be found recreating along these historic rivers. The Water Trail is managed and maintained by nonprofit Friends of the Riverfront (Friends) with assistance of various organizations in the area. In March of 2023, Friends requested proposals to create a management plan for the Three Rivers Water Trail system. Friends contracted Environmental Planning & Design (EPD) and Cycle Forward to develop the 5-year management plan.
Dates: May 2023 – June 2024
Client: Friends of the Riverfront (Friends)
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Outdoor Assets: Allegheny, Ohio, and Monongahela, and Youghiogheny Rivers
Project Type: Plan Development
Collaborator: Environmental Planning & Design (EPD) (Prime contractor)
Project Background
Along with other organizations in the area, Friends maintains the Three Rivers Water Trail, including access points where users can launch non-motorized boats such as kayaks, canoes, and paddleboards. In recent years, and as a result of the pandemic, Friends saw an uptick in water trail usage, beginner paddlers, and the need to (re)connect communities and expand their work along the trail. Friends hired EPD and Cycle Forward to develop a management plan that would guide future development of the trail, address maintenance of the existing system, and promote the Water Trail as a regional asset.
Approach
Staff at Cycle Forward, EPD, and Friends of the Riverfront gathered together for a monthly steering committee meeting where they discussed the development of the management plan. EPD conducted a thorough analysis of existing water trail conditions, and Cycle Forward managed user research and analysis, community engagement, and marketing and promotion. Amy created a user survey as well as a survey for the Water Trail’s owners, operators, and managers to gather feedback around usage and perceptions of the trail. In January of 2024, Amy facilitated a virtual public meeting where community members were invited to share feedback related to trail use, barriers to access, and suggested improvements. Cycle Forward and EPD collaborated and co-wrote the 135-page management plan, completed in June 2024.
Deliverables
Three Rivers Water Trail Management Plan
Impact
The Three Rivers Water Trail Management Plan offers actionable recommendations in the areas of Policy, Marketing and Promotion, and Physical Water Trail conditions. The plan will be used to inform Friends’ efforts and funding decisions for the next 5-10 years.
