Bring Back The View

Restore the North Park Observation Tower

For more than 30 years, one of North Park’s most beloved landmarks has stood closed, but never forgotten. Now, with your help, the Observation Tower will reopen to inspire a new generation of park visitors, while rekindling the memories of those who once ascended the tower decades ago.

Built in 1937, the Observation Tower was originally designed as a water storage tank, but quickly became a destination. Visitors who climbed its 154-step spiral staircase were rewarded with a breathtaking 360-degree view of North Park and beyond. The 102-foot tower, featuring vintage terrazzo floors and a domed ceiling, became a cherished part of the North Park experience.

Over time, safety updates required the tower to be closed to the public. But the story doesn’t end there.

A Vision Nearly 100 Years in the Making

Restoration of the Observation Tower was first recommended in the Allegheny County Parks Comprehensive Master Plan in 2002. Momentum returned when the Babcock Charitable Trust committed $400,000 to the project in 2020, recognizing the same public value envisioned by E.V. Babcock, whose leadership helped establish the county park system nearly a century ago.

The Project and Impact

Extensive structural assessments confirm the tower is in good overall condition, allowing restoration of this historic feature to move forward with confidence. Planned improvements include:

• Structural repairs and full interior/exterior restoration
• Sandblasting and repainting, restoring the original color using historic photographs
• Safety and code-compliant upgrades to railings and the viewing platform
• Restoring the viewing platform bench and terrazzo floor and repainting the ceiling
• Landscape enhancements to surrounding grounds, including:
  • Native landscaping and shade trees
  • Accessible pathways and a concrete plaza with stone seating walls in the Prairie-style used by Paul Riis
  • A one-acre native wildflower meadow along the entrance drive
  • Interpretive signage
  • A newly designed parking lot with ADA-Accessible parking spaces

After restoration is complete, the public will once again be invited to ascend to the top of the 102-foot Observation Tower and take in the magnificent 360-degree view of North Park. The Observation Tower will feature scheduled open hours and programming led by Allegheny County Park Rangers. Both the tower and the surrounding site will be maintained by Allegheny County’s Parks and Facilities Management Departments, ensuring this historic landmark remains safe for generations to come.

Together, these improvements will transform this space into a welcoming, accessible and unforgettable destination for Allegheny County. Learn more about the project! 

Funding the Final Phase: We Need You!