OVERVIEW
Paul Riis was the first Director of the Allegheny County Parks from 1928-1932. The 3.5-mile Paul Riis Trail is intended to share his naturalistic vision for the parks while also highlighting historic stone features built in his style in South Park. These features include The Cascades, which were restored in 2021, the Vale of Cashmere, Silent Brook and the site of the former naturalistic swimming pool. The trail will also connect to the Oliver Miller Homestead, a historic site with living history presentations that commemorate the pioneer settlers of Western Pennsylvania. Travelers on the Montour Trail will be able to access the Paul Riis Trail by way of the South Park Montour Connector Trail completed by the County and the Parks Foundation in 2014.
CURRENT WORK
Allegheny County, in partnership with the Allegheny County Parks Foundation, will construct a new ADA-accessible section of the 3.5-mile Paul Riis Trail that will guide visitors to the historic Vale of Cashmere site.
The Vale of Cashmere is a series of stone-lined channels, reflecting pools, forest clearings, and natural plantings constructed circa 1934. Riis’ stonework channeled the waters of East Run into four reflecting pools, which heightened the sense of light, shadow, and sound. . The site’s intended use was for relaxation, bird watching, and wading in the calm waters of East Run. Through the years, the Vale has become overgrown and no longer channels flow from the stream as initially intended, nor do the ponds function to hold water, as they have been filled with soil, sediment and vegetation. Despite its relic state, the Vale of Cashmere is still a beautiful and serene historic space nestled within a wooded stream valley for park visitors to explore and enjoy.
Due to its remote nature along the Paul Riis Trail, steep grades, and natural surfaces , access to the historic Vale of Cashmere is nearly impossible for individuals with disabilities or other physical limitations. Proposed improvements to the site will create approximately 1,550 feet of ADA-accessible trail, add ADA-parking spaces in a proposed 3,200-square-foot asphalt parking area, add seating along the trail for resting and viewing, plant 300 trees, and add interpretive signage to highlight historic and ecological features.
The project is under design and construction is anticipated to take place late spring of 2025 with completion in fall of 2025.
PARTNERS
Allegheny County
FUNDING
The Allegheny County Parks Foundation raised the funds for this project. Funding was provided by:
- Allegheny County with Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
- Colcom Foundation