In November 2021, County Executive Rich Fitzgerald was joined by state, county and local officials to cut the ribbon on the newly restored, historic South Park Cascades. This Saturday, residents can see this jewel in the county park in a new way with Acoustics at the Cascades. The event brings residents to this feature to learn more about its history and the project while enjoying these manmade water features that date back to 1927.
“When we started the Cascades restoration project, we heard from so many people whose childhood memories revolved around this feature and about their excitement that they were being restored,” said Fitzgerald. “This event will welcome those people back, but will also introduce new generations to the Cascades in the hopes that it also becomes a favorite place for them.”
Experience the natural beauty of the Cascades and enjoy live music from Pittsburgh’s own Brad Yoder beginning at 5. Park rangers host 30-minute meadow hikes at 5 PM and 6:30 PM. Visitors will also have the opportunity to learn more about the project and the park from park rangers and the Allegheny County Parks Foundation. The Ekernally Yours food truck will also be on hand for gourmet popcorn and sweet treats.
Built in 1927, the Cascades were a manmade water feature using stratified rock quarried from the park itself. The brainchild of Paul B. Riis, the famed Swiss-born landscape architect, the Cascades were carefully composed to evoke a network of waterfalls and wading pools. Riis designed North and South Park and served from 1927-1932 as the first director of the Parks Department.
The Cascades were one of a number of original features conceived for the park and, once built, quickly became one of the park’s not-to-miss features. It made for a summertime destination for families seeking to get away from the city. In the mid-1970s, the Cascades were shut down and for the past 50 years, the massive stone walls and pools have looked more like ruins tucked away into the park’s wooded hillsides as the Cascades were reclaimed by nature.
In July of 2018, Allegheny County kicked off a $1.2 million restoration of the South Park Cascades with a ceremonial groundbreaking, embracing a unique partnership with funders. After a year of construction, the Cascades opened to the public once again. The restoration project was planned to maintain Riis’ original vision and preserve the historical significance of the feature, but the Cascades were changed to meet contemporary safety requirements. The restoration included upgrades to the original site like barrier-free access and a new fountain circulation system. The large stone pools will no longer serve as wading pools, but along with the cascading waterfalls, will serve as a water feature at which the public can soak up the sights and sounds of the park’s natural heritage and immerse themselves in nature.
