Frankie Pace Park

Urban Connector

Frankie Pace Park is a 3-acre urban park spanning over Interstate 579, serving as a "cap" that reconnects the Hill District neighborhood with downtown Pittsburgh. This vital connection was severed in the 1950s when the highway was constructed, and the park aims to heal this urban divide.

Named after Frankie Mae Pace, a prominent community activist from the Hill District, the park opened in November 2021 after years of planning and construction.

Development & Design

The project cost approximately $32 million and was funded through a combination of federal, state, and local sources. Designed with input from the local community, the park incorporates elements that reflect the history and culture of the Hill District.

Art installations and interpretive elements throughout the park tell stories of the neighborhood and its residents. The park provides open spaces for community gatherings, performances, and recreational activities.

Features & Amenities

The park features pedestrian walkways and bicycle paths, creating safe and accessible routes between the Hill District and downtown. It incorporates green infrastructure elements, including rain gardens and permeable surfaces, to manage stormwater runoff from the highway below.