Pa. pledges $3.4 million to upgrade Point State Park ahead of 2026 NFL Draft
A $3.4 million state investment will help upgrade amenities, walkways and lighting at Point State Park ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh.
The sprucing-up project, announced Thursday by the state, will include improvements to lighting at the park’s iconic fountain, which sits in Downtown Pittsburgh at the confluence of the city’s three rivers.
Officials also are looking to fix leaks and fund new fountain controllers.
“These important upgrades to Point State Park’s infrastructure are critical to ensuring it remains one of Pennsylvania’s most visited places and a staple of Pittsburgh’s culture,” John Hallas, director of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources State Parks, said in a statement.
The project will include walkway and utility repairs and improvements to lighting on the City Side Lawn, flag bastion and parking lot. Landscaping throughout the park will be refreshed.
The goal is to improve public safety and access at the site ahead of what promises to be a busy year for the park in 2026, Hallas said.
The upgrades come as the city is preparing to host the draft. Officials have touted the three-day event as an opportunity to attract hundreds of thousands of visitors, bolster the local economy and put Pittsburgh in the national limelight.
Officials also are expecting massive crowds at Point State Park for the nation’s 250th anniversary in 2026, Hallas said. Events marking the milestone are still in the planning stages, he said, but officials anticipate the park will see large crowds.
Shapiro in October unveiled a $600 million revitalization plan for Downtown Pittsburgh, which aims to create new housing, improve public safety and revitalize public spaces like Point State Park and Market Square.
The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, which operates the park, said it plans to open construction bids in early 2025. Work is scheduled to run from May 2025 through spring 2026.
Point State Park will not be able to host large events while construction is occurring, officials said. Some recreational amenities and areas within the 36-acre park may be closed or have limited access.
The Great Allegheny Passage trail, the Fort Pitt Museum, the Fort Pitt Blockhouse and public restrooms will remain open.
Julia Burdelski is a TribLive reporter covering Pittsburgh City Hall and other news in and around Pittsburgh. A La Roche University graduate, she joined the Trib in 2020. She can be reached at jburdelski@triblive.com.
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