Pittsburgh, a city that boarders three rivers (the
Allegheny, Monongahela and Ohio) was recently ranked the 2nd most livable city in the United States. Riverlife is a non profit organization that facilitates the enjoyment of these rivers by
helping to make them "cleaner, safe, and more fun". This
blog encourages the exploration of new
experiences in Pittsburgh and Riverlife makes this city more enjoyable and livable by
promoting projects that enhance one of our best assets, our rivers.
This organization defiantly gets my support!
Party at the
Pier is an annual event where 100% of the proceeds support
Riverlife. This year, The Rivers Casino's ballroom was transformed into a little
part of Italy’s Amafi Coast for "Riviera Dolce", in celebration of Pittsburgh's riverfronts.
Reflection
Party at the Pier which usually takes place along the river was moved indoors due to thunderstorms but this did not change the Italian ambiance of the party. Lights cascaded throughout the ballroom lined
with flower carts, musicians strolled playing the accordion and violin, and a Mediterranean landscape of cliffs, spotted beaches, villas,
vineyards and lemon groves, was
projected on a large screen. Photo opts with bold green, orange, yellow and pink Vespas and a village backdrop
with props at a photo booth, allowed you to picture your- self somewhere
on the Italian Coast. It was bellissimo!
Everyone seemed to be enjoying this Italian excursion and
dressed for the Rivera wearing brimmed and skimmer hats, colorful and flowered attire, and some even sported lemon prints.
Many were sipping cocktails on the
balcony overlooking the river and others filled the dance floor later in the
evening. It was fantasico!
Riverlife was established in 1999 with a mission to “reclaim, restore and promote
Pittsburgh’s riverfronts as the environmental,
recreational, cultural and economic hub for the people of this region and our
visitors”. They have done this by supporting: the development of Three Rivers Park, a 13
mile, 880 acre park system (2002); the landscaping
along the river (2006); the redevelopment of Allegheny river front along the Strip District, Lawrenceville Highland Park
and Morningside(2013); and the establishment
of the Strip District river front Park (2016). This organization continues to keep our rivers and riverfronts attractive to joggers, bikers, boaters and kayakers (riverfront guide).
Pittsburgh is more of a fun place to live, work and visit, thanks to Riverlife. I will continue to support this group that celebrates our rivers and mark my calendar to "party at the pier" next year.
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