The historic fountain will make its return to Allegheny Commons Park later this year.

A number of city officials including, Mayor William Peduto, Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald, Councilwoman Darlene Harris and Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy President Jayne Miller were at a ceremonial groundbreaking in Allegheny Commons park on Thursday, April 19.

The first steps towards the rebuilding of the historic Northeast Fountain on the corner of East North Avenue and Cedar Avenue in Allegheny Commons Park were made earlier today.

“This really reiterates the importance of parks. They have an emotional tie for a lot of us,” said Miller during the ceremony. “They are the lungs of the city, the lungs of the community.”

The Northeast Fountain initiative is the third in a series of projects through the 2002 Master Plan for Allegheny Commons. The plan has been implemented under the partnership of the Northside Leadership Conference, Allegheny Commons Initiative, the City of Pittsburgh and the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy.

“Protecting and preserving Pittsburgh’s parks is of the utmost importance to our city’s future,” Mayor Peduto said in a press release. “The renewal of Allegheny Commons is a perfect example of that preservation led by the passion of the surrounding communities on the Northside.”

Founded in 1867, Allegheny Commons Park is the oldest park in the city. In 2013, the park was added to the National Register of Historic Places.

“No matter where you are in the city a child should have a 10 minute walk to a park,” Mayor Peduto added during the ceremony.

This story was last updated on Tuesday, April 19 at 2:28 p.m.