Since Aspinwall Riverfront Park’s grand opening in September 2015, its organizers have been paddling upstream, and they’re not slowing down.
Today the park will offer kayak rentals and community access to the Allegheny River. A project of Venture Outdoors, Kayak Pittsburgh has opened its third location, joining the North Shore and North Park as places to paddle.
“It’s been our long-term dream that we really connect the community with the river,” said Susan Crookston, who is in charge of project development and management at the park. “That was one of the reasons for founding the park — opening the ramp and making public river access one of our main goals.”
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Anyone who owns a kayak can access the ramp for free. Kayak Pittsburgh will offer 15 solo kayaks to rent at $16 per hour plus $8 for each additional half-hour. Six tandem kayaks will be available for $21.50 per hour plus $10.75 for each additional half-hour. Venture Outdoors member discounts will be honored.
Hours are 4-8 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays and 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays.
Mrs. Crookston approached Venture Outdoors about offering kayak rentals at the park best known for its bronze playground sculpture by artist Tom Otterness.
“Venture Outdoors is clearly the gold standard, and we are thrilled to be with them,” she said.
Venture Outdoors executive director Joey-Linn Ulrich jumped at the chance to explore new water.
“The ability to bring kayaking to that part of our region and county is a great opportunity,” she said.
“We thought that particular area was a great fit and match for our company. It’s nice to have an option to not have to pay to park.”
Swimming is not permitted near the park for many reasons, including a problem with sewer overflow.
“When there’s significant rain, the sewer system goes into the water. Most times it’s not a problem, but when you have heavy rain there is,” said Mrs. Crookston.
Kayakers are told to paddle upstream away from Pittsburgh and a dam a mile downstream, she said.
Aspinwall’s park offers a different experience than the other two Kayak Pittsburgh locations.
“The difference is in the waterway in that stretch of the Allegheny,” said Ms. Ulrich. “That part of the river shows you a different vantage point of our region.”
Mrs. Crookston took a moment to celebrate the park’s next step forward.
“We are thrilled to have this dream realized to have public river access,” she said.
“In Pittsburgh the rivers are really an inheritance. Every Pittsburgher should be able to grow up on the river because that’s one of our treasures we should be able to enjoy,” she added.
For information about Venture Outdoors and Kayak Pittsburgh visit ventureoutdoors.org. For information about Aspinwall Riverfront Park visit aspinwallriverfrontpark.org.
Shea Beaumont: sbeaumont@post-gazette.com or 412-263-1632.
First Published: June 25, 2016, 4:00 a.m.
