Pittsburgh Secures $6 Million for Riverfront Maintenance

New UpKeep program will fund ongoing cleanup and care for the city's 15-mile riverfront over the next decade.

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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The city of Pittsburgh and the nonprofit group Riverlife have launched a new $6 million initiative called UpKeep to provide permanent funding for the ongoing maintenance and cleanup of Pittsburgh's 15-mile riverfront along the city's three rivers. The endowment-funded program will allow for regular debris removal, invasive species management, and other upkeep efforts to keep the popular trails and public spaces along the rivers in good condition.

Why it matters

Pittsburgh's riverfronts have long been a source of civic pride and a major draw for residents and visitors, but maintaining the 15-mile network of trails, parks, and public spaces has been an ongoing challenge. The new UpKeep program will help ensure the riverfront remains clean, safe, and accessible for the community to enjoy for years to come.

The details

Riverlife, a nonprofit focused on Pittsburgh's riverfronts, has been leading cleanup and maintenance efforts for years. Through UpKeep, the organization will receive a $6 million endowment from the state, city, and anonymous donors to fund regular pressure washing, debris removal, and invasive species management along the riverfront. This will allow for more consistent and comprehensive upkeep, going beyond one-off cleanup efforts.

  • Riverlife and the city of Pittsburgh announced the launch of UpKeep on February 12, 2026.
  • The $6 million endowment will provide funding for riverfront maintenance over the next 10 years.

The players

Riverlife

A nonprofit organization focused on the development, maintenance, and promotion of Pittsburgh's riverfronts.

Corey O'Connor

The mayor of Pittsburgh who praised the new UpKeep program as a way to provide consistent, long-term funding for riverfront upkeep.

Matthew Galluzzo

The CEO of Riverlife, who discussed the various types of debris and invasive species that crews regularly remove from the riverfront.

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What they’re saying

“We always see these one-offs where it's 'oh, this summer, we're going to do something small to help out.' Now we have a 20-year agreement where there's going to be constant cleanup, constant investment, and that's something we've never done before, and I think it's beneficial to everybody.”

— Corey O'Connor, Mayor of Pittsburgh (cbsnews.com)

“The rivers are filled with invasive species, and we have a vehicle with a pressure washer meant for getting rid of goose droppings. There's also every kind of debris, big and small, that you can think of.”

— Matthew Galluzzo, CEO of Riverlife (cbsnews.com)

What’s next

The $6 million endowment will provide a stable source of funding for Riverlife to continue its riverfront maintenance efforts over the next decade.

The takeaway

Pittsburgh's new UpKeep program demonstrates a long-term commitment to preserving the city's valuable riverfront assets through consistent funding and comprehensive maintenance. This proactive approach will help ensure the riverfronts remain clean, accessible, and enjoyable for residents and visitors alike.