PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — Pittsburgh and its surrounding areas have some beautiful parks, but some of those spaces have been overlooked for years.

Now, a new restoration plan has been unveiled that will bring life back to those ignored parks.

Given that it’s been around for more than 100 years, it comes as no surprise McKinley Park has seen better days.

“We used to live up here in the summertime,” said William Stephens, of Beltzhoover. “You’d ride your bike up here. You’d walk up here. Your girlfriend would meet you up here.”

But those romantic days of yesteryear have faded, as has the parks up-keep, but now comes word that the 63-acre hidden jewel near Beltzhoover will see serious improvements.

“It’s going to be beautiful. We’re going to have some rain gardens, flowers, plantings along the wall, restore the stone wall,” said Meg Cheever, the president of the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy.

Another place set to see major improvements is Cliffside Park in the Hill District.

“It’s has a fabulous view over The Point and the Allegheny River Valley and the Ohio Valley,” said Cheever. “It’s going to be renovated to really exploit the view. The whole park is going to be refreshed and made way more fun for everybody to use, and to feel safe and happy using.”

“We’re committed to investing in our parks, not only the four regional parks, but the neighborhood parks throughout the city,” said Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl. “That’s why we’re America’s Most Livable City, because of parks like this.”

The city plans on putting $4 million toward improving the city’s parks overall. The McKinley and Cliffside park projects will break ground later this year with targeted completion set for the end of 2013.

RELATED LINKS:
Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy
More Local News