Facility Overview
The Three Rivers Heritage Trail Parking area is an open-air surface trailhead lot situated along Second Avenue in Pittsburgh\'s southern river corridor, near Greenfield, South Oakland, and Hazelwood. Serving as a prime access point to the Three Rivers Heritage Trail network—specifically the Eliza Furnace Trail (affectionately dubbed the \"Jail Trail\") and the Junction Hollow Trail connection toward Schenley Park—this facility provides direct riverfront recreation access. Because this is an open surface lot without overhead barriers, parking structures, or low clearance gates, standard passenger sedans, full-size pickup trucks, large SUVs, and vehicles carrying rooftop cargo or rear bike racks can easily enter, park, and maneuver.
Prime Location & Nearby Attractions
This trail parking location offers a strategic jumping-off point for outdoor enthusiasts, commuters, and visitors heading to key Pittsburgh destinations on foot or by bike:
- Eliza Furnace Trail & Point State Park: Head west along the paved multi-use trail for a flat, scenic ride or walk directly into Downtown Pittsburgh and Point State Park (approx. 3 miles).
- Hot Metal Bridge & South Side Works: Located roughly 1 mile northwest along the trail, the pedestrian-friendly Hot Metal Bridge carries cyclists and walkers across the Monongahela River to the dining, shopping, and entertainment hub of South Side Works and East Carson Street.
- Hazelwood Green: Positioned just southeast along Second Avenue, this 178-acre revitalized riverside development is an emerging tech, innovation, and university research center.
- Junction Hollow & Schenley Park: The nearby trail junction leads north up Junction Hollow into the heart of Oakland, Carnegie Mellon University, and the University of Pittsburgh (approx. 1.5 miles).
- Pittsburgh Technology Center (PTC): Located just minutes up Second Avenue, home to premier research laboratories and corporate offices.
Access, Navigation & Transit Connectivity
Ingress and egress are straightforward from Second Avenue (PA Route 885), a primary arterial roadway running parallel to the Monongahela River. The lot is conveniently accessible via Interstate 376 (Parkway East) via the Bates Street or Boulevard of the Allies/Greenfield exits. Pittsburgh Regional Transit (PRT) bus lines, including Routes 56, 57, and 58, operate frequent service along Second Avenue, offering convenient public transit alternatives for point-to-point cyclists or multi-modal commuters.
Facility Amenities & Key Features
- Open-air, ground-level surface parking with unobstructed vertical clearance
- Direct, seamless ramp access onto the Three Rivers Heritage Trail and Great Allegheny Passage (GAP) network
- Dedicated bike racks and trail-oriented navigational signage
- Designated accessible parking spaces with paved path transitions
- Complimentary public access for trail, park, and recreational users
Ideal For
- Cyclists, runners, rollerbladers, and dog walkers utilizing the Three Rivers Heritage Trail
- Great Allegheny Passage (GAP) long-distance trail riders embarking on tours
- Commuters seeking active-transportation park-and-pedal routes into Downtown Pittsburgh or Oakland
- Visitors spending an afternoon exploring the South Side via the Hot Metal Bridge
Visitor & Driver Tips
This parking area is highly popular on weekends with pleasant weather, particularly Saturday and Sunday mornings. Arrive before 9:00 AM on sunny days to guarantee a space. As an open municipal/public recreation access lot, standard urban safety measures apply: do not leave valuable gear, electronics, or personal belongings visible inside your car. Make sure your vehicle is locked securely before heading out on the trail.
