The water is about to stop flowing at one of Pittsburgh’s most recognizable landmarks.
The fountain at Point State Park is set to shut down Nov. 1 for its seasonal winter closure. While the fountain will go quiet, the park itself remains open for visitors.
The shutdown is part of the process of winterizing the massive fountain system before Pittsburgh’s cold weather sets in. During previous seasonal shutdowns, the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources has said park staff drain the fountain and the nearby reflecting pool to begin winterization. Crews also review the fountain’s inner workings during the shutdown so the system is ready when milder weather returns.
That maintenance is especially important for a large water feature
heading into a Pittsburgh winter. The fountain holds about 800,000 gallons of water, while its main water column can reach 150 feet into the air.
The fountain sits at the tip of Pittsburgh’s Golden Triangle, where the Allegheny and Monongahela rivers meet to form the Ohio River.
This year’s closure also comes after major improvements at Point State Park. Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources officials turned the fountain on earlier than usual in April following a $3.4 million project that included repairs to fountain leaks, new lighting and other upgrades throughout the park.
So while visitors can still walk through the park and take in the river views this winter, they’ll have to wait until the fountain’s seasonal return to see the Point’s signature spray again.
This story was produced by reporter Gabby Sartori, [gsartori@usatodayco.com], with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of the review, editing and publishing process. Learn more at cm.usatoday.com/ethical-conduct.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Point State Park fountain closes for the season
