Yough River Park on track for major overhaul
Landowners and officials along with representatives of the local historical society, trail groups and redevelopment authority met recently with Mackin Engineering designers and Progress Fund/Trail Town Regional Director Cathy McCollom to finalize plans for the site. “These are wonderful ideas,” said city redevelopment authority member Victor Gasbarro. “There is more use of the park and the trail and these changes will enhance the area.”
After reviewing two proposals, the group opted to combine features from both plans to maintain certain popular features and enhance others.
The plan, said Mackin landscape engineer Robert Genter, will open the view and use of the Youghiogheny River to park and trail users by removing the current boardwalk and replacing it with a pier that would stretch from the river’s edge out into the waterway.
The pier would serve as a fishing location or as a scenic outlook.
“(The location) is a park on a river and you want to make it accessible to as many people as possible,” said Genter.
While there was some discussion about a waters’ edge amphitheater, the participants said that a similar structure is being discussed for neighboring parklet, Stewart’s Crossing and two would be redundant. However, some speculated the historic area stage would be suitable for programs and plays while the park venue would accommodate musical presentations.
The plan calls for the maintaining of the popular beach and swimming areas, but will change the location of park pavilions.
Currently, only one pavilion can be accessed from a nearby parking lot with a second picnic shelter away from the lot making it difficult to transport food and other items from vehicles.
To make the picnic area more accessible, planners have recommended that an area adjacent to Torrance Avenue be used for parking with pavilions erected at each end of the parking lot.
New playground areas, garden sites and recreational areas are also planned for the park.
While one of the proposals relocated the trail from its present location above Col. Crawford’s Cabin and Yough Park to the riverbank, the group nixed the plan noting that the alternate route would disturb the historic landmark and its annual activities and require additional maintenance due to the location.
“(The trail) does not need to be next to the river,” said Allegheny Trail Alliance President Linda Boxx McKenna. “If people want to see the river, they can stop and walk down to it.”
The plan will keep the trail at its present location around the historical society property and then weave through the proposed parking lot to the rear of the Cream of the Trail refreshment stand and onto the path exiting the park.
Noting the need for a shower and other trail user amenities, the group welcomed the idea of expanding the refreshment stand to include the facilities.
The boat launch area will remain intact, according to the plan.
McCollom said that the feasibility study, funded by the Katherine Mabis McKenna Foundation grant, is being done in connection with a second study that encompasses the two mile-trail corridor within the city limits.
The second study is being funded through a $100,000 state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) Gateway-to-Gateway grant.
“This is not going to be just a plan that’s sits on a shelf,” said McCollom. “We see Connellsville as a wonderful portal of the Great Allegheny Passage (GAP).
“Yough Park is an asset to the community and with a little realignment, it will also be an asset to the trail user.”
The final design will be unveiled Sept. 27 as the city takes part in the “Celebration Saturday” event at Yough Park. The activity is being held in conjunction with the Pittsburgh 250 Celebration and PNC Legacy Trail Ride.