The Aspinwall Riverfront Park Project is an organized, grassroots campaign to acquire the Aspinwall Marina property and develop it into a public riverfront park, and a critical link in the trail system.

We raised over $2.3 million and purchased the property in early October.

Details

The Aspinwall Marina is a truly rare piece of property that has the potential to be a community treasure and a key link the trail system. The 8-acre lot is flat. Mature trees line its borders and shield the property from the railroad tracks and nearby scrap yard. The view across the water is a hillside forest. Aspinwall Borough is working with Friends of the Riverfront to acquire the property and turn it into a community park.

Our plans for the site have the potential to be a model of ecologically friendly design. Our concept features trails, a small commercial development which includes a working marina and restaurant, a walking platform over the railroad tracks and Freeport road, and two retention ponds to soak up the excess storm water.

After many long months of work, the property was purchased.  Here are some unique aspects of the acquisition:

  • The opportunity to purchase riverfront property between Pittsburgh and New Kensington is extremely rare. In the past 10 years, we’re aware of only four tracts of land that were sold.
  • This property will give the public access to the river.  While there are several public boat ramps and Sycamore Island , there is little easily accessible public space along the river between Millvale and Tarentum.
  • This property is within three miles of more than 22,000 local residents, and 1,800 local employees.
  • This property will be a critical link in the trail system.
 

WHAT ELSE CAN I DO TO HELP?

You can help by sharing this website with friends, family and neighbors.  The more people who understand this unique opportunity, and the more people who make a donation, the better chance we have of making Aspinwall Riverside Park a reality.

Volunteer

We need volunteers to help with data entry and mailing.  Please contact us to help with these tasks.

Please DO NOT visit the property on your own.

The marina and it's surrounding acreage is undergoing a transformation.  The community's interest in using the property right away is understandable and the transition from private usage to public access is underway.  The property must be redesigned to ensure safe access and to protect the interests of marina customers.

Schedule a Time to Tour

However, we will organize tours for potential donors interested in seeing the property first-hand.  Please  contact the Project Coordinator, Susan Crookston,  to arrange a tour via the "Contact" Tab above.