One of the greatest joys of living in Pittsburgh happens on the first warm day after a long winter, when it seems like everyone comes out of hibernation to enjoy the sunshine. Some of the best places to experience that revival of nature in the Steel City are its public parks and playgrounds. The city has 176 of them, which total almost 3,800 acres and feature a multitude of activities for young people. “In Pittsburgh, we’re very fortunate to have as many parks available to us as we do,” says Alana Wenk, Director of Marketing and Communications at the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy. “There’s something for everyone.”
The Best Parks and Playgrounds for Families in Pittsburgh
Schenley Plaza
4100 Forbes Avenue, Oakland
Located in the heart of Oakland (right across from the Cathedral of Learning!), this 4.5-acre green space was once a gravel parking lot. For the past twenty years, it has served as one of Pittsburgh’s most beloved civic treasures and hosts popular programs and activities for children. On sunny days in the spring, summer, and fall, you’ll find a variety of freeto-use lawn games, and the plaza is also home to a Victorian-style carousel. On July 25, the park will also celebrate its 20th birthday with a family-friendly carnival that’s free and open to the entire community.
Frick Environmental Center
2005 Beechwood Boulevard, Squirrel Hill
The Frick Environmental Center in Pittsburgh’s Squirrel Hill neighborhood is renowned as one of the world’s greenest buildings, achieving both Living Building Challenge and LEED Platinum certifications. In addition to hosting a variety of environmental and family-friendly programming, the Environmental Center serves as a gateway to Frick, the city’s largest park. Check out the new sensory nature trail, which was designed with children and individuals with disabilities in mind.
Blue Slide Playground
Frick Park, Squirrel Hill
Located near the Frick Environmental Center is the Blue Slide Playground, made famous by the late Mac Miller’s 2011 album Blue Slide Park. But generations of young Pittsburghers have been going down the slide (originally painted red) since the early 1960s. A visit is a Pittsburgh rite of passage. Visit on a sunny weekend to experience the best of what the playground has to offer: amazing energy, access to Frick, as well as hundreds of families from all different walks of life.
Hays Woods Park
Agnew Road Trailhead, Baldwin
You’ll have to get out of the East End if you want to enjoy Pittsburgh’s newest (and second largest!) park, which is located southeast of the city along the Monongahela River. Completed in 2023, Hays Woods Park offers 626 acres of undeveloped forest and stream, as well as views of downtown and Hazelwood, and a 30-year pair of nesting bald eagles. Let the kids walk out some energy before a trip to nearby Sandcastle or Kennywood, or on a trip to or from Page’s Dairy Mart, which serves some of the best ice cream in the city.
August Wilson Park
1803 Cliff St, Hill District
Originally founded as Cliffside Park in 1975, this park was renamed when it reopened in the spring of 2016 after an extensive renovation. Today, it features fully accessible pathways, a half-court basketball court, an awesome playground, and some of the best views from any public space in the city—as well as historic photographs by Charles “Teenie” Harris and quotes from Pulitzer-winning playwright and park namesake August Wilson.
McKinley Park
900 Delmont Avenue, Knoxville
One of Pittsburgh’s great hidden gems is McKinley Park, a 79-acre public park located between the city’s Beltzhoover, Bon Air, and Knoxville neighborhoods. Alternately known as Butcher’s Grove, Maple Park, as well as Ritter’s Hollow, the park gained its current name in 1902 after the assassination of President William McKinley. One of the city’s older parks, it features historic trees, walking trails, basketball courts, playgrounds, and a skate park. A highlight is Home Court Advantage, a massive mural that was designed by local artist Janel Young and then painted directly onto the basketball court itself.
Highland Park
1467 N. Highland Avenue, Highland Park
Just up the hill from the Pittsburgh Zoo and Aquarium is Highland Park. Originally built in the late 1800s to provide the city with a municipal water system, today’s park features the reservoir loop—perfect for family bike rides—as well as beautiful entry gardens that make the perfect spot for a summer picnic. In 2022, the park gained a fantastic new “Super Playground,” which features a wooden pirate ship and a beautiful entrance mosaic designed by the Pittsburgh Glass Center.
Story by Kenny Gould
Photography by Katie Long
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