Kayak Pittsburgh adds family-friendly North Side spot

By Caralyn Green
Posted in Pop City – May 6, 2009

Thanks to Pittsburgh’s famed waterways, kayaking is growing in popularity in the region. Last year, more than 7,000 hobbyists were served by Kayak Pittsburgh’s Downtown location, and another 6,000 at the North Park setting about 14 miles outside the city.

And now, for the kayak-curious who want to stay in city limits—but may be too young or timid to brave the rivers—Kayak Pittsburgh is opening a location in Allegheny Commons on the North Side. According to project organizer Liam Cooney, kayaks will be available to rent on Lake Elizabeth, a man-made spot next to the National Aviary and not far from the Children’s Museum.

Funding comes from The Charm Bracelet Project, founded in 2006 with the goal of linking the North Side’s cultural gems. Kayak Pittsburgh originally received funding last summer to provide free kayaking a couple evenings a month on Lake Elizabeth. That $10,000 initiative was so successful, says, Sean Brady with Kayak Pittsburgh’s parent company Venture Outdoors, that the group applied for—and secured—a smaller grant this year to get a full-time amenity up and running.

“This location fits in perfectly with our new Inclusivity Initiative, which aims to reconnect minority communities with the outdoors,” says Brady. “A lot of Pittsburghers are new to the outdoors, and especially like the security of kayaking in a shallow, controlled environment.”

The North Side and North Park sites open for the season May 23. The Downtown rental shop, located under the Roberto Clemente Bridge, opened May 2.

Sources: Sean Brady, Assistant Executive Director, and Liam Cooney, Projects Manager, Venture Outdoors

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