Guide to Pittsburgh: Parks & Trails
It’s almost time to return to the natural wonderlands of Chatham’s campuses and in honor of this exciting occasion, we are bringing back our Guide to Pittsburgh series with a few new additions! In case you missed our previous guides to neighborhoods and cultural facts, be sure to check them out at their respective links. In our first 2022 addition, we’re highlighting some of the best green spaces in the city. Check them out below—
Schenley Park
Nestled between the neighborhoods of Squirrel Hill and Oakland, Schenley Park is a veritable green playground (complete with several real playgrounds) for anyone who wanders in. It is home to countless hiking trails, a pool, and the ever popular Flagstaff Hill, a great spot to congregate for a picnic or a movie in the park.
Exploration homework: Try your hand at disc golf, sometimes known as Frisbee Golf, at the Schenley Park Disc Golf Course
Photo c/o Discover the Burgh
Frick Park
Frick Park is one of the largest parks in Pittsburgh and also one of the closer parks to Chatham. It offers multiple hiking and biking trails, stunning creeks, baseball and softball fields, tennis courts, playgrounds, and a soccer field. Clayton Hill is a popular spot for birders and the Blue Slide Park Playground is exactly the one Mac Miller refers to in his music. There is truly something for everyone here, so we encourage you to choose your own Frick Park adventure.
Exploration homework: Frick Park is a great park for long, scenic walks. Get lost on the trails on a warm afternoon and try to spot some wildlife.
Photo c/o Amy Cicconi & Fine Art America
Mellon Park
Mellon Park wins the award for the closest park to Chatham’s Shadyside Campus—it’s also located on Fifth Avenue—and it is highly walkable. It’s a great spot to tie up a hammock and read a good book or people watch from a blanket as you catch up with friends. It is also a popular spot for musicians so if you’re lucky, you might just catch some live music.
Exploration homework: Catch some live music at one of the Bach, Beethoven, and Brunch shows that occur on Sunday mornings at Mellon Park in the summer.
Photo c/o River Life Pgh
Point State Park
Point State Park is home to the ever-popular Point State Park fountain, which you will often find captured in photos of Downtown Pittsburgh. It is a huge green space that is popular amongst cyclists, runners, and those who want to lounge in the expansive grassy knolls.
Exploration homework: Point State Park is home to the oft-overlooked Fort Pitt Museum, a small two story building that displays exhibits and artifacts that tell the story of Pittsburgh’s early history.
Photo c/o Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy
Emerald View Park
Located atop Mount Washington, Emerald View Park offers relatively secluded trails and ample wildlife despite being so close to bustling city life. Hikers get ready—the grade on these trails are no joke. If you’re interested, you can stop by Grandview after to get a look at one of the best views of the city.
Exploration homework: Take the incline up to Mount Washington—which you can do for free with your student ID—and take a hike along the Emerald View trails.
Photo c/o Pittsburgh Orbit
Seldom Seen Greenway
Located in between the neighborhoods of Beechview and Mount Washington, Seldom Seen Greenway fits its description quite nicely—it is a beautiful, secluded green space where you’ll rarely find co-hikers. Plus, it sits along a beautiful rippling waterway that you can dip a toe into if you like. The park is also home to great trails that feature unique graffiti and walkable train tracks.
Exploration homework: Head to Seldom Seen Greenway to spot the ample artistic graffiti.
Photo c/o Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy
Highland Park
Highland Park is relatively close to Shadyside Campus—just a quick trip on the 71B PRT bus which you can catch from Fifth Avenue—and features a number of unique amenities, including a fountain, trails for running and walking, a playground, a dog park, a banked bike track, a swimming pool, volleyball courts, and of course, the Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium.
Exploration homework: If you’re a Pittsburgh newcomer, you’ve got to visit the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium.
Venture Just Outside the City—
Photo c/o Go Laurel Highlands
Ohiopyle State Park
Ohiopyle State Park is located about an hour outside of the city in the Laurel Highlands and is a wildly popular destination for camping, hiking, kayaking, whitewater rafting, biking, paddle boarding, and rock climbing. We highly recommend checking out Cucumber Falls (pictured right), Ohiopyle Falls, the natural waterslides of Meadow Run, and the adorable town of Ohiopyle.
Exploration homework: Take a bike ride along the Great Allegheny Passage which is centrally located in Ohiopyle. Don’t worry—bikes are available to rent, along with paddleboards, kayaks, canoes, and rafts.
Photo c/o Discover the Burgh
McConnells Mills State Park
Located in Lawrence County about an hour outside of Pittsburgh, McConnells Mill State Park makes a great day trip from the city. It is home to a historic gristmill, a stunning covered bridge, a gorge, multiple waterfalls, hiking trails, a whitewater creek, and a yearly heritage festival that boasts food vendors, mill tours, and live entertainment.
Exploration homework: Visit Hell’s Hollow Falls, one of the easier waterfalls to hike to in the park.
Photo c/o Uncovering PA
Raccoon Creek State Park
Raccoon Creek State Park is a forty-five minute drive outside of the city that offers everything you could want in a weekend camping trip or relaxing day away from campus. It is home to a beach, forty-four miles of trails, a lake that you can kayak on, a wildflower reserve, potentially healing mineral springs, and plenty more. The park also offers a wide range of environmental education programs including guided trail walks.
Exploration homework: Take a dip in the lake or rent a kayak and float around for the day.