Next Phase of Renovations to Begin at Point State Park in Pittsburgh

HARRISBURG, Pa., Aug. 27 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Pennsylvania Department of
Conservation and Natural Resources acting Secretary John Quigley said today
that the wharf areas, water access, restrooms and fountain at Point State Park
in Pittsburgh will be closed for the next phase of construction beginning this
week.

"We remain on schedule with our complete overhaul of Point State Park as we
enter these final phases of improvements to the wharf and the fountain,"
Quigley said. "The importance of quality public open spaces has been
highlighted once again as Pittsburgh prepares to greet its international
visitors and attention for the G-20 Summit.

"Our renovations at the park will truly make it a world-class space and a
great representation of a vibrant Pittsburgh," Quigley added.

Specifically, the wharf areas and walkways along the Allegheny and Monongahela
rivers, river access including from boat tie ups along the water, restrooms,
fountain and access from the parking lot and flag bastion area through the
pedestrian tunnel behind the Fort Pitt Museum will be closed for the next
phase of construction.

The Woodlands, where 7,000 native shrubs and plants were installed during the
last phase of construction in spring, will remain fenced to allow the plants
to grow.

Visitors may access the city-side Lawn, Portal Bridge, Great Lawn, overlook
area, pedestrian walkways to the North Shore and South Shore and the Fort Pitt
Block House and Fort Pitt Museum through the main entrance to the park.

The fountain is scheduled to undergo extensive renovations and improvements
and will likely be turned off entirely in 2010 while that work is completed.
Despite the ongoing renovations, DCNR, with support from Alcoa and Riverlife,
is undertaking a temporary fix to run the fountain at full force for the NFL
season kickoff event Sept. 10 and during key periods of the G-20 Summit.

Point State Park is undergoing a $30 million improvement in several phases.
The first phase, begun in the fall of 2006 and completed in spring of 2008,
included a new lawn area on the city side of the park and related
improvements.

The next phases of work will upgrade the Monongahela and Allegheny promenades
along the wharfs to include water landings and marine tie ups; install new
features that interpret the history, indigenous cultures and natural resources
of the park; and add trail connections. The major overhaul of the fountain is
also among the additional phases of work to be completed that is supported by
a combination of state investments and business and private donations.

The Allegheny and Monongahela rivers meet at Point State Park to form the Ohio
River. During the mid-1700s, the armies of France and Britain were attracted
to this area, each vying for control of the Ohio Valley. In 1758, construction
of Fort Pitt began by the British.

By the 1950s, the area had deteriorated into a commercial slum. The planning
and construction of Point State Park was one of the key accomplishments of
Pittsburgh's first Renaissance urban renewal initiative. The fountain was
dedicated in August 1974.

For more information about Pennsylvania's 117 state parks, visit
www.dcnr.state.pa.us.

CONTACT: Christina Novak
(717) 772-9101

SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources

Christina Novak of the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural
Resources, +1-717-772-9101