Allegheny Parks
The Allegheny Park series was written by former contributors of Pittsburgh Moms Blog. Updated photos coming soon! Please check parks’ websites for updates and closures.
Deer Lakes Park
Deer Lakes Park, which is one of the many Allegheny County Parks, sits on 1,180 acres in West Deer and Frazer townships. It is open daily from 8 AM until sunset. On the grounds, you will find something for everybody in the family!
Although my family visits Deer Lakes Park to take advantage of the awesome spray park and the newly remodeled playground, there is so much more to do! Features at this park include an expansive playground, a (free) spray park, three fishing lakes, a disc golf course, an observatory, fields, trails and shelters!
Here’s What Deer Lakes Park Has to Offer
Spray Park
The spray park is the most popular attraction at Deer Lakes Park during the Summer months, and the best part is that it’s completely FREE! It’s located alongside the amazing new playground, so the kids can run back and forth all day, while staying in your line of vision!
Parking spots are abundant at the spray park/playground location, even on the busiest of days. There’s even a convenient changing area next to the spray park so the kids don’t have to ride home in wet suits!
Although there was plenty of space to lay out a blanket in the grass prior to the remodel, now there’s even more places to sit. Instead of just hills, there are several flat lawns, picnic tables and a new picnic shelter that overlooks the entire play area!
My family still prefers to bring picnic blankets and camp out in the grass for the afternoon, but it’s definitely nice to have more options. And if you’re lucky, you just might get a prime spot in the shade of the trees!
My favorite tips for rocking the spray park with kids is to bring a picnic basket full of drinks and snacks, and buckets for playing in the water. It’s also more fun to go with friends! And don’t forget to apply sunscreen!
We have been going to the Deer Lakes spray park with our friends since my 5 year old was a baby, so we have many happy memories of playing there in the Summer. My kids- and my family – grew over the many Summers we spent splashing at the spray park. It is one of our favorite places to go!
Fishing
Deer Lakes Park has three lakes on the property for fishing! The lakes are spring fed and stocked with bluegill, crappy, perch, sunfish, trout, some catfish and a few bass. There are even wheelchair accessible piers on the upper lake!
Don’t forget to get your fishing license before you go!
Wagman Observatory
The Wagman Observatory is owned by the Amateur Astronomers Association of Pittsburgh. It’s the first amateur astronomical observatory in western Pennsylvania for public education and enjoyment of astronomy.
Find more information here.
Disc Golf
Want to try something new with your kids? The 18 hole Disc Golf course is free and open to the public daily, except during tournaments. Visit here to find out more information about this fun course!
Trails
If your family is active, you will love the trails at Deer Lakes Park! Take a nature hike and explore the woods, or walk or jog on the trails. This park even features a paved trail that is perfect for people who are in wheelchairs!
Playgrounds
This year, the playground at Deer Lakes Park got a MAJOR makeover! My kids were shocked when we arrived at the park for the first time this year. The playground is expansive, the equipment is new and modern, and there is something for kids of all ages to safely enjoy!
There are multiple play areas alongside the spray park now. Kids can spend the entire day playing on the equipment, and cooling off at the spray park! I was truly impressed by how much there was to do at the playground. My kids had so much fun on the new equipment and spent more time on the playground than playing in the water!
The new playground area is so beautiful and family friendly. The play equipment encourages kids to play, explore and stay active! It’s a safe area for kids of all ages and abilities, but most important, it’s FUN!
There are now two play areas with swings. One area is for the younger crowd, and it has traditional baby/toddler swings and chair swings that are perfect for kids with special needs.
The second area includes a long section of traditional swings, and a fun new saucer swing that every child wants to try! There is always a line for that one!
The most popular feature at the new playground are the elevators that automatically go up and down. There are two: one for the smaller kids and one for the bigger kids. They are a HUGE hit with all of the kids!
There is a smaller piece of equipment for younger kids, but the main piece of equipment is definitely the coolest! It has tons of things to climb: rock walls, ropes, beams, bridges, nets, and more! My tweens, who often feel too big for the playground, LOVED playing here!
Going to this awesome playground is a MUST if you live in the Pittsburgh area. It is one of the coolest playgrounds my kids have ever played at. My kids can’t wait to go back again!
One of the things I love most about Deer Lakes Park is that it is accessible for people of all abilities! As a special needs mom, I truly appreciate places that go above and beyond to accommodate everybody. Every human being should be able to appreciate having fun outdoors in a safe place, and Allegheny County Parks works hard to make this possible!
Visit Deer Lakes Park:
1090 Bailey Run Rd, Tarentum, PA 15084
Hartwood Acres
Living in the North Hills we are fortunate enough to have several awesome Allegheny County parks to explore, but Hartwood Acres is our favorite. The park is located in Hampton and Indiana townships. On any given day or evening, the park is packed with hikers, picnickers, families, concertgoers, and our son’s favorite “doggies.” Hartwood Acres expands 629 acres and includes an off-leash dog park, hiking trails and walkways, cross-country skiing trails, and a beautiful mansion and stable complex.
The park boasts paved and wooded hiking trails. The paved walking trail loop is perfect for a nice flat walking surface. It is perfect for pushing a stroller or wheelchair, and for little ones to practice their bike riding skills. The wooded hiking trails offer beautiful scenery during any season. Often times while hiking through the trails you will see horseback riders, and sometimes in the winter you will come across some cross-country skiers. We love to go on our family hikes through the trails because they are well-maintained and offer a beautiful setting.
On our way past the amphitheater and to the hiking trails, our youngest loves to take a stop and watch the dogs at the dog park. Although our family doesn’t have a dog, we all get our dog fix. The off-leash dog park is very large and offers the double security gate to prevent dogs from escaping. We enjoy watching the dogs run around and have fun.
During our hikes we often make sure to take the path by the Hartwood mansion and stable complex. The sixteenth century, tudor mansion is a large historic landmark that is a popular place for family pictures or for hosting weddings and events. Our favorite time to visit the mansion is during the holidays when it is beautifully decorated.
The highlight of the park in our family is the amphitheater. The amphitheater hosts Sunday night concerts during the summer months. Friends and families pack picnics and set up their chairs, tents, and blankets in the expansive lawn. Food trucks have become a Sunday night staple. Beer tents are now being set up, which makes it a win for adults! Kids often congregate and play Frisbee or tag, while the adults enjoy the music and atmosphere. Parking is very seamless and well directed. The complete summer concert line up is filled with many different acts to satisfy everyone.
Visit Hartwood Acres
200 Hartwood Acres Drive Pittsburgh, PA 15238
Boyce Park
Prior to moving to Monroeville a little over a year ago, the only time I heard about Boyce Park was during the winter months. They offer the only downhill skiing and snow tubing in Allegheny County and it’s commonly used by families with little ones just learning to ski. I was pleasantly surprised, when we started exploring the park last summer, by all that it had to offer for kids and adults alike.
Boyce Park is located on 1,000 acres, spanning across the Municipality of Monroeville and Plum Borough and is managed by Allegheny County Parks.
Trails
For families that like to explore nature trails or set out to hike for part of the day, this is the perfect place to venture to. The park offers 28 miles of trails that intersect with each other, while offering semi-flat to steeper hikes. It takes a little exploring to find the entrances, but once you find a handful that you like they are fairly easy to access and find parking close by. One thing to note, many of these trails are also utilized by mountain bikers, so be cautious while hiking.
One we did explore was the White Blaze Trail. We entered at the Archery Practice Area, near the soccer fields, and walked a good 2.5 mile loop. It was steep at times and narrow, but all shaded and even on a hot summer day, was comfortable for a morning hike. We had the boys in carriers, which was a good plan because of the terrain.
There are also a lot of little trails or cut-throughs between some of the rental pavilions in the park, if your group is looking for a short little trek. We walked the Explorers trails, up to the pavilion and then walked through a short trail which brought us out on the other side of the park looking down toward the Ski Lodge. Lots of areas to explore. Here’s a map: Boyce Park Trails Map.
A few neat activity areas the park offers:
The Audubon Society has towers located throughout the park. At first, they look like something for bats, but when you get up to them, it tells you about birds called Chimney Swifts and how these towers help provide shelter for breeding and raising their young.
Nature Center
Nature Center: located off Old Frankstown Road, the Nature Center offers a nice Sensory Trail that is very easy to navigate. Luke, our two-year-old, enjoyed this trail, checking out the different types of trees and flowers and a few wooden bridges before circling back to the main building. The Nature Center and Organic Greenhouse offer year-round tours and activities for kids of all ages.
O’Block Playground: located off Center road, right before the main entrance to the park, is a nice playground for kids of all ages. Boyce Park has also recently added exercise equipment with ellipticals and other stations for adults to use while their kids are playing right in front of them. This is a nice added bonus.
Wave Pool
Wave Pool: Open 11:30am – 7:30pm (weather permitting) from June 3 – Labor Day; the pool is also offering FREE LEARN TO SWIM CLASSES for ages 6+ . Space is limited to sign up at: Boyce Park Free Swim Lessons.
Action Park
3B’s Action Park: If you’ve got a daredevil who’s looking for a safe place to practice, look no further than this action park. Utilized for boards, bikes and blades and located next to the Wave Pool.
Archery
Archery: this area, located near the soccer fields, is open year round, bring your own equipment and targets. Children should be supervised by an adult.
There are a number of other summer activities offered at Boyce Park, some day features and some week-long sessions for all different age groups. Be sure to check it all out here: Allegheny Parks Activities and Registration.
For more information on Boyce Park, click here.
Visit Boyce Park
675 Old Frankstown Road Pittsburgh, PA, 15239
South Park
Made up of over 2000 acres of South Park Township and Bethel Park, South Park provides plenty of resources, activities for every age of child, as well as parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles. So I packed up some lunches and a bag of bread and headed out on our adventures. Since I am a South Hills resident, this was a quick drive, which allows us to often for impromptu outings. Our first stop was the Game Preserve located on Sesqui Drive.
Animal Reserve
The pond on the preserve is a short walk up the hill from the big Black and Gold Playground located on Corrigan Drive. I wanted to start our day here at the Game Preserve, as I remember visiting here as a child–and loving it. We brought a loaf of bread to feed the geese, ducks and turkeys– just like I used to do when I was little. My kids loved interacting and feeding all of the various types of birds. They could get so close to the birds and see their features and hear their quacks up close. Our time at the Game Preserve was enjoyed by all of my kiddos. The Game Preserve was not crowded, and the kiddos had plenty of space to walk about in a safe area and feed any of the birds that came near them.
Next we walked up to the fenced in area that houses four peacocks and two white ducks. The male peacock put on a show for us. My kids were amazed with his beautiful plumage.
After watching the peacock’s show, we walked to the upper field to see the buffalo. Three baby buffalo were born since St. Patrick’s Day (one is named Paddy) and there are nine adults in the herd. Unfortunately they were located in a spot that they could not be seen. We will definitely be going back to see them!
Playground
The Black and Gold Playground is located on the main road of South Park, Corrigan Drive, on the end closest to the South Park Fairgrounds. This enclosed playground is fantastic, as it is large and has ample room for kids to run around and explore.
There are different play areas for children of various ages. Ample amount of slides and swings ensures all children have time and space to enjoy the playground. The ground is cushioned to prevent bruises when kiddos fall, which we know they always fall.
And although the playground is large, it is fenced in! This is a great stress reliever for watching multiple kids who want to play at various sections of the playground.
Additionally there is a picnic table located within the fenced playground area as well as various shelters in close proximity to the playground to have lunch.
And the bonus for parents who like to exercise, there is an outdoor fitness area directly outside of the playground.
My kids and I thoroughly enjoyed our day out at South Park. We will be going back often because not only was it a fun day out, it was a FREE day out. We plan on returning to South Park with our dogs to let them play in the off leash area and I plan on exercising along the wide pedestrian path along Corrigan Drive and on the trails, which can be used for running, biking, and horseback riding. Additionally, shelters are available for rental for birthday parties, graduations, reunions, and family picnics.
Next time, we plan on spending a day at the wave pool as well as exploring the BMX track.
Another popular stop is the Oliver Miller homestead, an early settlement that teaches kids about life during colonial times.
Looking ahead, there’s an ongoing free concert series throughout the summer months, which is a fantastic opportunity for a family night out. Other summer events include the South Park Theater’s season, including the Children’s Outdoor Theater.
Visit South Park
2027 Buffalo Drive Pittsburgh, PA 15129
White Oak Park
My family loves going to parks and loves exploring different areas of the city. But being a South Hills resident, I often don’t explore the other areas of the city and let the tunnels and bridges become a barrier to enjoy all that the city has to offer. In an effort to get out of my comfort zone and see what other areas of the city has to offer, we headed to the southeast section of Allegheny County–to White Oak Park and met my cousin and her kids at this quaint park for a beautiful and fun-filled day.
White Oak Park encompasses 810 acres in the south east section of Pittsburgh. Located from McKeesport to the border of Westmoreland County, White Oak Park is about 15 miles from the city of Pittsburgh. The park features a multi-purpose athletic field, shelters, a wedding garden, playgrounds, off-leash area, Bocce courts, volleyball courts, horseshoe pits, and walking and hiking trails.
We began our day by going to the dog park.
Although we didn’t bring our own dog, the kiddos wanted to spend some time watching the dogs play Frisbee and fetch in the open area. They insist that the next time we come to White Oak Park, we will bring our dogs.
After spending time at the dog park we made our way to the Black and Gold Playground located next to the Cedar 2 shelter. We had this entire playground to ourselves, and the kids explored every inch of the playground.
There were plenty of swings and slides and lots of space for young and older kiddos to run around safely. This playground is located a safe distance from a main road and has ample parking.
Not only are there plenty of swings, this playground also has a cushioned ground–a great feature as we know kids have a tendency to trip and fall when playing. Additionally there is a fitness area next to the playground for adults–equipped with two ellipticals plus various other workout equipment. This is a win-win–get a fitness work out while watching your kids play in a safe playground.
We even explored the trees and grounds surrounding the playground. My kids loved looking at the trees, finding bugs and exploring the different trails and pathways.
A bonus of this particular playground is that it is situated right next to a covered picnic area. There are thirteen shelters available to rent at White Oak Park. On the day we explored the park, many people were setting up for graduation parties in the shelters. It is the perfect venue for a graduation party or any party for that matter– lots of space, parking, and privacy for fun-filled party.
As we made our way through the park, we saw many walkers and runners. The terrain of White Oak Park is hilly and challenging, but the beauty of the park abounds– and the car traffic within the park is light that many runners and walkers opted to stay on the roads instead of the trails.
We finished up our day at White Oak Park in the Wedding Garden area.
The is a great spot for photo shoots for weddings as well as a great spot for kids to explore nature, gardens and the rocky terrain.
There were rocks to climb, paths to explore and gardens all around.
My kids absolutely loved spending the day at White Oak Park and have asked multiple times when are we going back. Among the things we plan to do on our return is to play at the sand volleyball court as well as a play some games of Bocce ball. On my return I also would like to explore the Angora Gardens.
Additionally, there are some upcoming summer events that are both fun and educational including: guided nature hikes, where a park ranger takes you on a guided hike exploring native plants that only exist in White Oak Park: trillium, wildflowers and groundcovers.
And you know how I can tell we had a great day at the park? My kids were exhausted and slept the car ride home!
I encourage everyone to get out and explore the resources our local parks have to offer. We had a great day exploring a park we had never been to previously and look forward to future visits.
For more information regarding White Oak Park click here.
White Oak Park
3 Muse Ln, White Oak, PA 15131
Round Hill Park
Parks provide an opportunity to get active outdoors and to enjoy nature. If you know anything about me, you know that I love sharing my healthy, active lifestyle and I love outdoor adventures! I’m very excited to highlight the first of nine Allegheny County parks, Round Hill Park.
Located at 651 Round Hill Road, Elizabeth, PA 15037, the park is open daily from 8:00am-sunset all year long. You don’t have to wait for the weather to break to make plans to visit! Our favorite times to visit are in the summer when we don’t have competing school schedules and on the weekends in the fall when the leaves change and the trees are brilliant.
When we enter the park, we’re greeted by a variety of water fowl. Waddling across the path, the ducks and geese welcome us with happy honking and quacking and indicate to my children that we are “there yet!”
We unload and visit the pond first.
Then we usually head over to the farm. Most of the paths are paved and easy to push the stroller along, however, the path to the sheep pasture is unpaved and uphill and a little trickier to navigate. There are multiple barns and pastures. We visit cows, horses, chickens, sheep. The pigs are our favorite!
We walk into barns and see cats climbing along bails of hay and birds flying around high in the rafters. There is a different pace on the farm, and we enjoy the time to breathe deeply of fresh air and the space to run around and explore. Some of our favorite moments are spent just playing on the grassy hills in the shade of the trees.
There are some raised bed herb gardens to observe. It’s a nice place to pull out your picnic lunch on the farm side of the park and a good place for a photo opp!
Once we’ve said hello to all of the animals and reenacted the “Sound of Music” on the hills, we still have more options!
We can head over to any number of picnic groves (there are 17 of them) and most of them have an adjoining playground. Some are more up to date than others, but we think the best part is being able to choose a different one every time. The picnic groves reflect the life of the farm with names like Alfalfa, Quiet Acres, and Wagon Wheel. Round Hill’s signature, large, modern, and new playground is easily accessible from the main entrance.
During the summer months, a farm-themed spray water park is open for kids of all ages to enjoy.
The best part? Round Hill parking, including the farm exhibits, are FREE seven days a week!
The spray park is typically our last stop. There are restroom facilities on the farm side of the park to clean up and change clothes for the ride home. All of the kids usually fall asleep because there has been plenty to do and see at the park on any given visit…mom’s gift in return for a fun day of exploration and play!
Additional information about the park, directions, events, rentals and maps can be found at Allegheny County Parks’ website.
Round HilL Park
651 Round Hill Rd, Elizabeth, PA 15037
Harrison Hills Park
Scouting out new places is one of my favorite things to do, and Harrison Hills Park did not disappoint! Although the recent weather made it a little challenging to find a day to visit, we made the best of a rainy, “Pittsburgh gray” day playing with friends and exploring part of this gem bordering the Allegheny River.
Harrison Hills Park includes 500-acres, located 24 miles northeast of Pittsburgh in Harrison Township. The park features an overlook of the Allegheny River, an environmental learning center, and offers picnic shelters, waterfalls, streams, walking, hiking, and bridle trails.
We only had time to see a small part of the over 500 acre wooded land, but we’ll definitely be back to find the streams, waterfalls and ponds that the park boasts.
Home to multiple blazed trails, picnic groves, playgrounds, soccer fields, the Watts Memorial overlook and the Environmental Learning Center, there are opportunities for both structured and unstructured fun.
The Environmental Learning Center is open and free to visitors during normal hours of operation (8AM to 6PM) and can also be made available by appointment. There are indoor and outdoor classrooms with exhibits to explore: the “Touch and Feel” table, live insect exhibits, a butterfly garden, nature mural, and the Scouts Exercise Challenge to engage the mind and the body. Plan to spend time here in the next few months. I am personally a little embarrassed that my kids recognize many more brand names than they do plant names…but we have resources and will be back again.
You can see the handicapped accessible ramp that was added to the building, making for easy access by the Friends of Harrison Hills Park. The Friends is a group of volunteers that exists to enhance the Park’s usability and promote educational and recreational activities. They have helped develop miles of blazed trails with trail heads and maps that visitors use for hiking, biking, birding and horseback riding. In the winter months, cross country skiing and snow shoeing are popular sports in the park.
From 400 feet above the Allegheny River, you have a panoramic view of Butler, Armstrong and Westmoreland Counties, and a view of the “choo-choo” that my almost two year old is obsessed with as you venture out to the overlook from the playground (North attractions). We really loved this spot and spent a lot of time here. The overlook is very accessible yet still wooded and “private.” It would be a great spot for some outdoor wedding pictures, and I imagine that it’s beautiful in the fall with all of the colors of the leaves.
Shelters can be rented for your special event. A princess birthday party event was being set up while we played, and it was tempting for all five of the princesses we brought to play not to check it out more closely. My five year old reminded me that “We came on an adventure to ‘explore’ a new park.” Princess parties seemed like fair game! Silly girls aside, the shelters are in excellent condition and it’s convenient to use the online reservation system to set up your event.
We especially enjoyed the playground. This one (North) looks very new and includes an area with exercise equipment for older kids and parents that want to get their sweat on while the kids play. Win-win! The one (South) is a little smaller and more secluded. Still fun!
For our next visit, we plan to make use of the hiking trails and walk along the streams.
Harrison Hills
5200 Freeport Rd, Natrona Heights, PA 15065
Settlers Cabin park
Encompassing 1,610 acres in Collier, North Fayette and Robinson townships, Settlers Cabin Park features an historic log cabin, wave pool, dive pool, shelters, tennis courts, playgrounds, deck hockey rink, and walking and hiking trails.
It was a hot summer day. My family wanted to get out and do something, but something a little different from our normal activities. Enter the wave pool located near the Greater Pittsburgh International Airport, it was an easy drive to get to from our home in the South Hills of Pittsburgh. We arrived just as the wave pool opened, rented some rafts, and set up our towels on the Astroturf lawn that was the pool deck. Right away we headed into the pool to enjoy swimming in the waves. My husband and son were soon strategizing about the best way to ride the waves, while I just held on to the raft and enjoyed the moment. It was a lot of fun.
When the periodic break in the waves occurred, we headed over to the diving area. There were diving boards of all sizes; from some so low they were almost touching the water, to those super tall concrete diving platforms that before this I had only seen on TV while watching the Olympics. One teenager did climb the few stories to the top, and everyone clapped after he made his brave dive. My son opted to stay closer to the ground on the smaller diving boards, and had a great time.
After a few hours, the wave pool was getting crowded, which was not surprising since it is the most heavily used of the counties three wave pools. We decided to leave the wave pool behind and explore the rest of Settlers Cabin Park. With the park spanning 1,610 acres, there was a lot to see. We drove by the tennis courts and the deck hockey rink. There were even a couple large playgrounds that seemed like a place little kids would love to check out. At the various picnic shelters spread out through the park, several parties were going on. It looked like a great place to host a gathering.
We ended our drive by the cabin that gave the park its name. It’s officially called the Walker-Ewing-Glass Log House, and it was built in the 1780s by a man named John Henry. Later in 1785, Issac and Gabriel Walker acquired the land. It was a nice area to walk around and stretch our legs a bit. We were pleasantly surprised to find out that adjacent to where the cabin is located is the Pittsburgh Botanic Gardens. Our family didn’t have time to explore that this time, but it is now on our must do list before the summer is over.
Overall, we had a wonderful day! The wave pool is definitely something my son wants to go back to a few more times. Plus, we didn’t even get a chance this time to explore any of the hiking trails. Now that we have discovered this park, I see our family spending more hot summer days at Settlers Cabin Park.
Settlers Cabin Park
608 Ridge Rd, Pittsburgh, PA 15205