MON RIVER TOWNS: Allenport, Belle Vernon, Braddock, Brownsville, California, Coal Center, Charleroi, Clairton City, Donora, Dunlevy, Elco, Elizabeth, Fairmont, Glassport, Greensboro, Homestead, McKeesport, Morgantown, North Belle Vernon, Pittsburgh City, Rices Landing, Weston, Duquesne, East Bethlehem, Fayette, Lincoln, Monessen, Monongahela, New Eagle, Newell, North Charleroi, Point Marion, Rankin, Roscoe, Stockdale, Star City, West Brownsville, West Elizabeth, West Homestead, Whitaker
The work to be done to make the Monongahela river cleaner, safer, and more recreational-friendly is still enormous. I will update on the cleanliness of an area for picnicking as well as ease in launching a kayak, parking and picnicking with family and pets in Monongahela river town areas. This will be based off my own attempts at finding a perfect place/s to enjoy the Mon River. Thus far, there really aren't any. I will try to update town areas if and when they improve, including if areas heavy in garbage are cleaned up. I might add, this river is still an industrial river. It could use a series overhaul of rusted infrastructures left behind from industry, which in fact is a blight issue. Along the entire banks could use a serious dredging. Launch areas and murals are great along the river, but we can put them in until there is no spot left to put them, and it will not change the fact that the river and banks are in need of a major overhaul. It is not just important to "look" at a pretty things from a bench, or to enjoy the river from inside a boat, it is also important to have a cleaner river because it is a source of public drinking water, a source for fish that humans and other wildlife eat, as well as a place for swimmers. I'm sorry if this post might make some people angry. I speak the truth. We can't improve things if we can't face the truth. And in all honesty, I'm one of many water-lovers who are tired of not having enough clean, family, pet-friendly places in which to enjoy the water.
More Mon river town photos to come.
Allenport
Belle Vernon
Braddock, Pa
Brownsville, Pa
There are several places to launch a kayak in Brownsville. Most aren't the cleanest areas (sorry, still being honest here) but there is a nice area to get in the water that is just off main street, although I don't recommend this area if you are looking for an all-day picnic area where you bring the family dog. I don't recommend the area where I took this photo either ( which is the West Brownsville side) to get in with your kayak. If you are looking to put a blanket and picnic here, it's very rocky and there is broken glass and garbage. Really, currently, there really isn't a good public launch area for picnicking all day near the water with family and pets in Brownsville. At least, not from my experience. If you know of a clean, public, family and pet-friendly place, leave a comment. That said, there are some cool historic buildings such as churches and a Castle! that you can see from the water. And the flora and fauna is always beautiful. That said, like many places there is blight, but numerous volunteers and groups are working to change this and make the town nicer. Already they have a done a lot of beautiful things on main street, such as murals on buildings, amphitheater addition, flower plantings, building repairs and new buildings. Wow! Even some new businesses opened up. This is thanks to the people working together to make Brownsville a more livable and scenic borough. It's worth the trip just to see the new and historic places, including the Flatiron Building Heritage Center. But again, this post is about finding a good family area to picnic all day near the water. I would not say it is here. While public water areas here might not be ideal for families with kids and dogs who want to enjoy the water all day, it is a a good enough place to get in the water quickly and somewhat easily. I might add, that no matter which town on the Mon River you decide to kayak on, you will find garbage all up and down the banks. There are a few volunteers who also work to clean up some areas, too. The job is enormous, however, so the effects of littering and illegal dumping will be here a long time, unfortunately.
California, Pa
Coal Center, Pa
Nice place to launch. Just not a picnic area for family and pets.
Charleroi, Pa
Clairton City, Pa
Donora, Pa
Dunlevy, Pa
Lots of potential here for a great recreational area. It is the ideal place for a great recreational area, probably the best I've seen thus far along the river in the Mon Valley area, unfortunately, there is a lot of rust and metal at river's edge from old barge activity. The river in that area has an old rusty smell to it. But OH! what could be done here.) The area we launched at was near the soccer field, which is nice. Very nice wooded area nearby, too, with just as much potential for trails; however, I'm not sure if the borough owns this area.
Elco, Pa
Elizabeth, Pa
Fairmont, WV
Glassport, Pa
Greensboro, Pa
Homestead, Pa
McKeesport, Pa
Morgantown, WV
North Belle Vernon, Pa
Pittsburgh City, Pa
Rices Landing, Pa (Greene River Trail)2020
Weston, WV
Duquesne, Pa
East Bethlehem, Pa (Old Ferry Place) 2020
Fayette, Pa
Lincoln, Pa
Monessen, Pa
Monongahela, Pa
New Eagle, Pa
Newell, Pa
North Charleroi, Pa
Point Marion, Pa
Rankin, Pa
Roscoe, Pa (Launch/Park area) 2020
Stockdale, Pa
Star City, WV
West Brownsville, Pa
West Elizabeth, Pa
West Homestead, Pa
Whitaker, Pa
"Great things are done by a series of small things brought together." -Vincent Van Gogh
