Aspinwall Riverfront Park held its grand opening in 2015, the result of a massive fundraising effort to buy the land surrounding the Aspinwall Marina after it was nearly sold to become a parking lot.
In the years since, the park has added features such as a million dollar playground sculpture, a fishing dock with swinging chairs over the water, kayak rentals, a community theater and just recently — gourmet food served out of a shipping container.
But what my family has returned for time and time again is its perfect starter trails for kids to learn how to ride a bike.
The Bud Harris Cycling track across the river in Highland Park is also great, but the Aspinwall Riverfront Park provides shade, winding trails over different surfaces and other activities for when kids get tired of riding. There’s a paved straightaway right along the parking lot for kids to figure out training wheels or work on their balance.
Once they’ve got it, trails wind throughout the park — out of a parent’s view but still within a traffic-free fenced zone close enough that they can yell if there’s a problem. There are also air-conditioned indoor bathrooms and — depending on what’s unlocked — water fountains as well.
There are plans to someday connect the park to the bike trail running along the Allegheny that currently ends in Millvale, which will make it more of a biking destination. But for now, it’s a quiet little spot perfect for elementary pedaling.
Anya Sostek: asostek@post-gazette.com
