Point State Park Fountain Shuts Down for Winter
Pennsylvania's Department of Conservation and Natural Resources closed the Point State Park fountain for the season on November 1.
Updated on Nov. 2, 2026 in National Parks
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The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources closed the Point State Park fountain for winter on November 1, with park staff draining the fountain and nearby reflecting pool to winterize the system. The park remains open to visitors during the closure.
Why it matters
Winterizing the fountain before Pittsburgh's cold weather sets in protects the system's infrastructure from freezing damage. Pittsburgh residents and visitors will be without the fountain until milder weather returns.
The fountain holds about 800,000 gallons of water and its main water column can reach 150 feet into the air. The April restart followed a $3.4 million project that included repairs to fountain leaks and new lighting.
The players
Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
The state agency that manages Point State Park and oversaw the fountain's winter closure and improvement project.
Point State Park
A historic state park at the confluence of Pittsburgh's rivers, home to the fountain and open year-round to visitors.
The details
Park staff drain the fountain and nearby reflecting pool to begin winterization, and crews review the fountain's inner workings during the shutdown. The fountain sits at the tip of Pittsburgh's Golden Triangle, where the Allegheny and Monongahela rivers meet to form the Ohio River.
Timeline
April: The fountain was turned on following the $3.4 million improvement project.
November 1: The fountain's seasonal winter closure began.
Seasonal Patterns
Like other seasonal water features across Pennsylvania state parks, the Point State Park fountain follows a scheduled winterization cycle that protects plumbing and mechanical systems from freeze damage. The April restart after the $3.4 million upgrade marks a return to the fountain's full operating season.
Visitors planning a trip to Point State Park this winter should expect the fountain to be offline while the park itself stays open. Checking with the park before visiting can help set expectations for what will be on view during the closure.
The takeaway
Seasonal closures like this one are routine maintenance steps that protect Point State Park's fountain from winter damage. Visitors can still enjoy the park's grounds and views of the rivers while the water features are offline.
What happens next
The fountain is set to return when milder weather returns, though no specific reopening date has been announced.
Further reading
For more on Pennsylvania's protected landscapes, explore National Parks coverage across the region.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Delaware News Journal.
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