To highlight Pittsburgh as the home to three rivers, the city's celebration of next year's 250th anniversary of its naming will be marked by signature projects and grand openings that also will come in threes: new trails and sight-seeing guides; a bike race and grand openings led by a madeover Point State Park; and range of local projects aimed at boosting the region's spirits and health.

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An update on birthday events was part of a planning summit yesterday at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center, sponsored by the Allegheny Conference on Community Development. Conference Chairman James Rohr called the planned multi-county approach to celebrating the anniversary "the best idea we've had as a region."

Pittsburgh was so named in November 1758 when a British and colonial army, led by Gen. John Forbes, occupied the ruins of Fort Duquesne. He named the new settlement at the Point for his superior, British Secretary of State William Pitt.

"Pittsburgh 250" is a two-year, $65 million undertaking that extends across Pennsylvania, executive director Bill Flanagan said.

The projects and grand openings chosen as prime elements in the celebration are not new undertakings, but efforts that will be completed as part of the anniversary, he said.

The projects are:

• The Great Allegheny Passage, a biking and hiking trail that begins near McKeesport and connects to the C&O Canal National Historic Park in Cumberland, Md. When the last nine miles between McKeesport and Pittsburgh are finished next year, it will provide a seamless connection between Pittsburgh and Washington, D.C., completing "the most accessible great trail experience in the world."

• A new Forbes Trail Driving Guide. The book will allow motorists not only to rediscover the route that the British army blazed on its way to what became Pittsburgh, but also to find information on other historic spots along the way. "When you are driving on parts of Route 30 and the Pennsylvania Turnpike, you are traveling along the Forbes Trail," Mr. Flanagan said.

He said an east-west journey through Pennsylvania brings visitors to sites important not only in the French and Indian War, but in the American Revolution (Independence Hall), the Civil War (Gettysburg) and the War on Terror (Flight 93 Memorial).

• The $35 million renovation of Point State Park.

The second group of three includes the 450-mile, cross-state American Eagle Outfitters Tour of Pennsylvania bicycle race, June 24-29, 2008, covering much of the Forbes Trail. Also included will be yet-to-be scheduled grand openings of the completed trail and Point State Park.

The third trio of Pittsburgh 250 activities includes "grass roots initiatives," Mr. Flanagan said. They are "Community Connections," a $1 million investment in local projects; "Reunions & Homecomings," bringing family reunions and business meetings to southwestern Pennsylvania; and "250 and Fit," a joint effort with the YMCA of Pittsburgh to sign up 250,000 participants in a health and wellness program. More information about Pittsburgh 250 events is available at www.imaginepittsburgh.com.