KAYAKING ON THE ALLEGHENY RIVER | COURTESY VENTURE OUTDOORS

[Updated June 18, 2025: Venture Outdoors opened this new floating dock to the public on June 13, 2025.]

Venture Outdoors recently launched the Adopt-A-Kayak fundraiser for their new Downtown Community Hub, a floating kayak dock on the Allegheny River by the David L. Lawrence Convention Center.

Their goal is to reach $100,000 and have the dock constructed by the end of May. Donations of any amount are being accepted from the public and local organizations.

“We are super lucky to live in a city that has not one, not two, but three rivers,” says Ash Andrews, president and CEO of Venture Outdoors, a nonprofit that runs myriad programs to help people stay connected to the outdoors. “We really want to make use of that and celebrate the magic of Pittsburgh.”

The 100-foot by 50-foot dock will be accessible through the Water Feature at the convention center’s Riverfront Plaza on 10th Street, located under the convention center, or from the riverfront trail.

Multiple launch points will be stationed at the end of the dock where the watercraft will be safely placed onto the river. There is also going to be an accessible launch area for paddlers with disabilities. “We will be able to get everybody out on the water who wants to get out on the water,” Andrews says.

It will include a fleet of 75 kayaks and other paddle crafts available for anyone to rent in person or on the Venture Outdoors website. Paddlers can also bring their own boats to launch from the dock. It anticipates serving 10,000 people a year through this new dock.

ASH ANDREWS, PRESIDENT AND CEO OF VENTURE OUTDOORS | COURTESY VENTURE OUTDOORS

Between 2004 through 2022, Venture Outdoors operated its Kayak Pittsburgh rental operations center next to PNC Park and the Roberto Clemente Bridge on the North Shore. But it had to shut that down when $34.4 million in repairs began on the bridge as part of a major rehabilitation project. It has taken some time to locate a new, permanent spot for the launch area.

Venture Outdoors also hopes that the addition of this new dock allows for more youth programming, classes, and other facilitated learning experiences.

“Everyone is gonna want to go out and take a selfie of themselves in the middle of the Allegheny River with the Pittsburgh Downtown cityscape and sunset behind them,” Andrews says. “Once we get over this final funding hurdle, we can all start enjoying it this summer.”