Get to know your Pittsburgh Parks!
Jo Outdoors here…it’s come to my attention that there are people new to Pittsburgh, and perhaps even some long-time residents who have yet to set foot inside one of our fair city parks. If lack of awareness is the problem…I’m here with the solution! Below you’ll find some valuable information, along with links to even more resources about our many city parks.
We’ll start near the area universities and move outward:
Schenley Park
Situated in the heart of Oakland, Schenley Park is a major destination for university students, businesspeople, and anyone else who loves the outdoors. With a beautiful Visitor Center, proximity to many cultural attractions, a pool, an ice skating rink, and plenty of open space to play sports, Schenley Park truly has something for everyone. (More information from Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy)
Frick Park
Frick Park is the largest of the city’s four parks, covering 600 acres. Park users love the extensive trails throughout the park’s steep valleys and wooded slopes that are ideal for hikes. Park amenities include the Frick Art & Historical Center, educational programming by the Frick Environmental Center, Blue Slide Playground, Playground at at Forbes and Braddock, the Frick Gatehouse, red clay tennis courts, and a bowling green. (More information from Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy)
Highland Park
Runners and walkers find a cool hilltop oasis at the promenade surrounding Highland Park’s historic Reservoir No. 1. The 3/4-mile walkway is one of many popular features of this East End park, which also includes the City’s only long-course swimming pool and the Washington Boulevard Cycling Track. Other highlights include the Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium, Lake Carnegie, sand volleyball courts, a “super playground” (built in just five days by community volunteers), trails, picnic shelters, and tennis courts. (More information from the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy)
Riverview Park
An equestrian trail can be a delightful surprise to visitors of Riverview Park - an urban park nestled between several neighborhoods just north of Downtown Pittsburgh. The park’s extensive network of trails serves as a popular destination for hikers, joggers and horseback riders. Other highlights include the landmark Allegheny Observatory, swimming pool, ball fields and picnic shelters - and a “space age” playground located near the observatory. (More information from the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy)
Grand View Scenic Byway Park
The 5th addition to the great regional parks. The Park completely encircles Mount Washington and Duquesne Heights from Grandview Park on the east, across the face of the Mount, to the Duquesne Heights Greenway, Olympia Park and Mt. Washington Park on the back side of the mountain. Until consolidated into a park, this land had been a loose assortment of greenways, forested hillsides, neglected parcels, existing smaller parks and playing fields. (For more information on this new park, visit the MWDC website)
Point State Park
Point State Park is a 36-acre state park, a National Historic Landmark, the only developed State Park in Allegheny County, and the only large public park in downtown Pittsburgh, located at the confluence of Pittsburgh’s three rivers.
Point State Park is currently under construction to make the area more viable for recreation opportunities. (Click here for more information on the park and its renovation)
Those are the main ones, but there are plenty of smaller parks, playgrounds, recreational facilities and other green spaces in the area (such as Mellon Park pictured on the above map). Check out this web listing for more places to discover. Visit the Citiparks webpage for rules and regulations of the city parks.
How do I get to these places?
Ride your bike, take a bus, walk or carpool with some friends.
Are there groups that can help me learn how to use these parks?
Venture Outdoors has many opportunities to try out parks in the city and in western Pennsylvania. You can also check out the many organizations on our resources page.
I hope this helps you get to know the “green” side of the city a little better and puts you in touch with the resources to explore on your own!
Until next time…
Jo
September 07 2007 09:21 am | Uncategorized
celpjefscycle on 11 Jan 2008 at 4:12 pm #
Thanks for information.
many interesting things
Celpjefscylc