REGIONAL PARKS IN ALLEGHENY COUNTY AND THE CITY OF PITTSBURGH GET SPECIAL ATTENTION IN RAD’S 2026 SPENDING PROPOSAL. IMPROVING BIKE LANES AND PATHS IN SCHENLEY PARK ARE AMONG THE UPGRADES. | PHOTO ADOBE STOCK

Improvements could be coming to the North Park Boathouse, Boyce Park Pool and the South Park Golf Course. And money is earmarked to create protected bike lanes and shared-use paths in the city of Pittsburgh’s Schenley Park, road improvements in Riverview Park and an engineering study in Emerald View Park on Mount Washington.

Outdoor spaces are getting more attention in the proposed $146.7 million 2026 budget by the Allegheny Regional Asset District. Major parks in Allegheny County and the City of Pittsburgh, for example, are getting a 31% funding boost in the latest proposals.

“We see an opportunity in front of us to boost funding  to places that are open for everyone to enjoy, 12 months per year,” Dusty Kirk, RAD board chair, said in a statement.

These spaces became particularly popular during the pandemic, when people had to isolate and felt more comfortable spending time in local parks.

For fans of the Montour Trail, a popular hiking and cycling system that draws 400,000 participants a year, there are also plans in the RAD proposal to improve safety by creating a trail connector adjacent to the busy, four-lane highway of Route 51 in Jefferson Hills.  The trail council, an all-volunteer group, and Jefferson Hills Borough have been working since 2021 to improve this area. RAD would provide $150,000 and Jefferson Hills would seek a state grant to build a 1,400-foot-long, 8-foot wide sidewalk along the eastern corridor of Route 51, in the Large section of Jefferson Hills.

Among other trail improvements proposed in the region, there is $20,000 to Hollow Oak Land Trust to close remaining gaps on Montour Woods Greenway; $10,000 to Allegheny Land Trust for a new access point to Girty’s Woods Conservation Area; and, $10,000 to Rachel Carson Trails Conservancy for trail construction.

Upgrades to the tennis courts at Renziehausen Park in McKeesport also are proposed.

RAD since 1993 has supported many of Pittsburgh’s cultural amenities through special tax revenue. In addition to parks, much of that revenue goes to support libraries, cultural institutions as well as funds projects for municipalities in the county.

You can see all the details in the funding proposal here.

The public is encouraged to provide comments about the proposals between now and Nov. 20.

There are several ways to do this:

• Email info@radworkshere.org
• Call the RAD offices by phone 412-227-1900
• Fax a document to RAD at 412-227-1905
• Mail your feedback (Allegheny Regional Asset District, 436 Seventh Avenue, Suite 2201, Pittsburgh, PA 15219)

There also will be a public comment hearing at 2 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 23, at the Koppers Building Conference Center (436 Seventh Ave., Downtown) Advance registration required.

PHOTO COURTESY MOONSHOT MUSEUM

For the first time, RAD will be recommending funding for the Alumni Theater Company, a year-round program for Black youth; and the Moonshot Museum, Pennsylvania’s first space museum, which is located on the North Side. Coming back after being funded years ago is the Texture Contemporary Ballet, Pittsburgh’s largest nonprofit contemporary ballet company that focuses on new works.

Here are other highlights:

• $9.5 million for the nine Allegheny County Parks to undergo repairs and upgrades to facilities – with the largest outlays for roof replacements, infrastructure repairs, new playground equipment, new restrooms, shelter upgrades and designs for future park renovations
• $2.7 million for the City of Pittsburgh’s Regional Parks, including protected bike lanes and shared-use paths in Schenley Park, road improvements in Riverview Park, a geotechnical engineering study in Emerald View Park, and other projects
• $1.1 million for the Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium to make accessibility improvements, replace HVAC, replace boardwalk at Kids Kingdom, and purchase other maintenance equipment
• $750,000 for the National Aviary to renovate its veterinary hospital
• $750,000 for Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens to replace steam pipes in the west wing.
• $500,000 for Renziehausen Park in McKeesport to improve its tennis courts
• $405,785 for Heinz History Center to conduct window and lighting replacement for energy efficiency
• $330,000 for Rivers of Steel to support construction on the AC Power House Events Center at the Carrie Blast Furnaces
• $215,600 for Downtown’s August Wilson African American Cultural Center to install security upgrades
• $190,000 for the Allegheny Land Trust for regional trail projects, including $150,000 to the Montour Trail Council for a trail connector adjacent to Route 51 in Jefferson Hills
• $165,000 in matching funds for Manchester Craftsmen’s Guild to transform the first floor into a multi-purpose community engagement space

In all, RAD has recommended $17.2 million in capital grants, with other requests still under review by the Allocations Committee of the RAD Board.