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Plans for a water-based trail discussed
The group - the 3 Rivers 2nd Nature Project - wants to make that portion of the river, known as pool 2, a water trail.
To some, the notion of a "trail" might seem redundant in an open waterway.
But a water trail provides signs, river access and accommodations for more people to use the river and know, for example, where and how to reach Verona and one of its restaurants.
"A lot of people don't know we're here," said Ethelynn Hodil, one of the owners of the Allegheny River Boat Club in Verona. Her club offers the public guest and overnight docking, showers and a restaurant. To folks on land, her club is nestled off the road. To boaters, her club might look like private docks offering little to the public.
Several hundred people interested in pool 2 met Saturday at Riverview High School to discuss how they can make the river more accessible to water recreation, including kayaks, canoes and motor boats.
Nature Project representatives met with community officials from Penn Hills, Verona, Oakmont, Millvale, Sharpsburg, Etna, Aspinwall, O'Hara, Blawnox, and the city of Pittsburgh earlier in the week.
The Nature Project officials presented their findings after two years of testing pool 2 and elsewhere in region's rivers.
"This pool has more landscape diversity than any other pool, except the Kittanning pool," said Tim Collins, director of the 3 Rivers 2nd Nature Project. Pool 2 offers islands, back channels, shallow water and wetlands.
This diversity creates a home to many forms of plant life and wildlife, making the pool a great place to fish and to view the scenery.
"This area is a destination for people," Collins said. "It's a healthy place for you and your kids. It's an exciting place."
The Nature Project gave pool 2 good grades for water quality and presence of wildlife.
"When I look at the riverfront, I see opportunities," said John Stephen, an independent consultant and a co-founder of Friends of the Riverfront. Stephen has been working with Millvale officials, helping to secure grants for its riverfront development.
It's up to the community and politicians to want to encourage more boaters and use of their riverfront, according to Stephen.
"A big part is being able to identify an opportunity," Stephen said. "A lot of municipalities are cut off from the river by industrial property and railroads." But communities can work on securing "a sliver of river" in the future for development.
Pool 2 could become more appealing to water enthusiasts, according to Nature Project officials, if:
The Nature Project plans to continue to work with communities in the pool 2 area for future development projects.
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