PHOTO BY DAVE DICELLO

Point State Park is getting prepped for the hundreds of thousands of people who are expected to descend upon Pittsburgh in 2026 for the NFL draft, as well as for festivities related to the America 250 celebration.

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro this week announced $3.4 million in improvements to upgrade amenities, walkways, lighting and more in the 36-acre park. The Department of Conservation and National Resources, which manages the park, will open construction bids early next year with work scheduled to start in May. Work should be completed by spring 2026.

This will be in addition to Shapiro’s 10-year plan announced in October to revitalize Downtown Pittsburgh, which includes $25 million for longer-term projects at Point State Park. These include additional updates to the fountain and new recreational activities on the cityside lawn to draw more people to the Point in the future. The city in August celebrated the fountain’s 50th birthday.

Allegheny County, the City of Pittsburgh and the Allegheny Conference on Community Development earlier this year had targeted Point State Park as one of three areas of improvement to help revitalize Downtown. The others are Market Square and the Eighth Street block in the Cultural District.

During the construction next year, some of the park’s amenities, facilities and spaces may be closed or have limited access to the public. The Great Allegheny Passage trail, which begins next to the fountain; the Fort Pitt Museum; the Fort Pitt Blockhouse; and public restrooms will remain open. Also during this time, the park will not be able to host large events.

In addition to the three days of festivities surrounding the NFL draft, Pittsburgh also is expecting large crowds over the July Fourth weekend as America celebrates its 250th birthday.

Updates to Point State Park will be provided by the DCNR here.