Flow of Point State Park fountain signals summer in Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh’s Point State Park fountain is flowing.

Park Manager Jake Weiland said the fountain’s annual winter hibernation ended on Wednesday when staff turned on the pumps after about four weeks of prep work.

“Lots of people think it’s as simple as turning on switches,” he said. “We’ve been working on this for weeks.”

Each year crews have to wash and clean mud and debris from the fountain exterior, scrubbing off weather stains and flushing out piping and a reservoir. Winter damages are repaired and systems are tested.

“It’s no easy task,” Weiland said.

At full pressure, the fountain pumps out 17,000 gallons of chlorinated water per minute from an aquifer under the rivers.

This year, workers were tasked among other things with concrete repairs, sealing the fountain’s rings and transitioning all lighting to LED.

The fountain typically opens in May, but the coronavirus pandemic delayed it this year.

Work started after the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources received notification that Allegheny County was moving into a green phase of coronavirus reopening on June 5.

Weiland said the park has remained open for recreation activity such as hiking, biking and dog walking throughout the pandemic, but all facilities were closed.

Park restrooms are now open along with the Fort Pitt Blockhouse, owned and operated by the Daughters of the American Revolution. The Fort Pitt Museum, a subsidiary of the Senator John Heinz History Center, opens on July 1.

Weiland said visitors should practice social distancing and observe all coronavirus guidance provided by the Pennsylvania Department of Health.