Great place to go for a walk or hike in the local area! I didn't know about this park until I saw…read moreit on the Johnstown bucketlist. We started at the main trailhead on Luzerne Street, next to the Westmont Municipal Building. "Luzerne" is the main trail and is a relatively easy hike, but keep in mind if you start at this trailhead it is mostly downhill, so be prepared for an uphill trek on your way back! They have maps and info at the entrance, helpful if you're unfamiliar with the area. We saw a ton of deer on our walk (end of May), and there were plenty of options to veer off onto different trails. There were also several pavilions we encountered which would have been nice for picnicking (however are currently closed due to COVID). We'll be back next season!

Stackhouse park is a beautiful 277 acre expansion of pure nature. It has over 7 miles of biking and…read morehiking trails. And filled with fun events year round. I am blessed because the park begins in my backyard so i have the pleasure of enjoying it everyday! Daily you can see hundreds of people enjoying the trails by foot or by bike. And also a fantastic place to walk your pooch if you have one. They have a long flowing peaceful creek that runs down the center with several bridge crossings for easy access. Many events take place year round. One Of my faves is called Shakespeare in the park.in which a talented acting group performs one of Willie's famous plays. Take a blanket and a bottle of wine and it makes for the perfect adult evening. They also have many public picnics with barbecues and bands which is fun for the whole family. The winter is no stranger to fun in the park as it is great for sled riding or toboggans!!!! A great natural monument for the city of Johnstown!!

Central Park in downtown Johnstown could be a great place when given some much needed love. It is…read morein the center of what I would assume is the business district for this small city. Central Park is located on a fairly nice piece of land in the heart of downtown Johnstown. It's not as big as some Central Parks you may come across in other cities/towns, but it is just right for the size and location in this city. Enough space to have a fountain in the center, pathways that crisscross, and a gazebo big enough to accommodate a band on the warmer months. I'll be honest, I have only ever really visited this park when in the winter. I know it's weird, but I suppose I am drawn here in the winter due to the holiday displays. Sponsored by businesses throughout the Johnstown area, Santa's village (as I call it) lines the pathways. In the center is a tree that was recently installed. When lit, it dances along to music. A different display for each song. It is pretty amazing and draws many people to view it. I really hope for the sake of Johnstown that the investment they made for this tree continues for the park. Making this park beautiful will draw people here and businesses nearby. It's always nice to have an oasis in the middle of all the buildings and streets.

Visiting Johnstown to see a hockey game, I had to see the site of the famous dog the saved…read moreCharlestown from the 1938 flood. Slap Shot fans know what I'm talking about. Anyway, the dog has been moved since George Roy Hill made Paul Newman's favorite film about a struggling minor league hockey team in PA. Despite the fact the the dog was moved a block away, the square is much the same and easily recognizable in the film. It's only a few blocks from the Holiday Inn or the Cambria County War Memorial so be sure to stop by when you're in town.

Just outside not only the city limits of Johnstown, but the county limits of Cambria County you…read morewill come across Greenhouse Park. Technically located in Somerset County in what is Conemaugh Township you will come across this little haven. While driving along 403 you may not notice that this place even exists, especially in the spring/summer months as a majority of it is blocked by the ample foliage. If you do happen to catch a glimpse of this as you drive by you might be able to get a general idea of what this place can and has been used for. But I suggest taking your time to stop in here and enjoy what there is to offer here. One thing that you will notice is that there a pavilions that are sporadically spaced out through the grounds. These can be rented for parties, get-togethers, special events, etc. Most of these have an accompanying fire pit to use at your disposal. Rates for these can be found on the township website. Also available is a playground area where smaller children can get their exercise. The playground area is more of a chutes and ladders type of area as there are no swings or things of that like. What is a huge draw here is the fact that when they decided to spruce up this space they decided to construct rapids in Stonycreek River. Definite draw for kayakers and the like. It's a beautiful setting with these formations they made, many family/prom/graduation pictures have been taken of people standing on one of the rocks. This park also hosts many events throughout the year whether it be for a local boy scout troop, family fun day or Thunder in the Valley (which you have to 21+ to even step foot on grounds for). It's a great place just to walk as well. *Sand volleyball court available, changing areas if you choose to play in the rapids, bathrooms on ground. ******No pets, so don't bring your four-legged friend. You will be fined if you do so.******

Soccer! Soccer! Soccer! Woo! This is an unadorned but very nice place to play soccer…read moredestination. They have two different soccer fields, a pavilion, a kayak docking area, playground, trail, basketball court and many benches at this park. There's one main soccer field which all the children who were born from 2008-2011 play at currently (so as of right now 8years to 11year olds) and there is a separate field full of mini and medium sized soccer nets for younger children. A playground, basketball court and pavilion sit in between the two soccer fields. There is a trail that wraps around and through the park. It also leads down to a kayak docking area that is labeled 22 which is part of the Loyalhanna Creek water trail. This is all part of the many parks and fields Latrobe has to offer and there's many more within walking distance. Latrobe overall is like an old soul where people look out for each other and are very respectful of one another. This is a nice place for the younger(born when I was graduating high school eeek and after) generations to play! Can't have too many soccer fields or trails....nope never. Also need to note that there are no pets allowed. I saw a dog and a cat get asked to leave.

This is a very nice Nature Reserve, located right next to St. Vincent College. Winnie Palmer was…read morethe wife of Golf Legend Arnold Palmer, and she had the foresight and resources to create this little refuge that is free and open to the public. The highlight for me was visiting "The Barn," which is a staffed building in a restored barn that is like a little nature museum. They have lots of displays and also a few living creatures that you can observe. There are also lots of trails, gardens, and a pond on the property, that you can explore. They also have a restored historical log cabin, called the "Blockhouse" which you can see. The only disappointment we had when visiting yesterday, was that the boardwalk over the wetlands was closed for repairs. Otherwise, I would recommend checking out this place if you like nature and are in the area . . . Cheers!

First visit to this park. Conveniently located within the city and offers plenty of parking…read moreoptions. Very large grounds, covered stage, and sufficient facilities for hosting community events. Sadly, during my visit, the maintenance aspect of the park is not up- to- par, lots of weeds, and just general lack of TLC overall. However, it was a fun , well -attended event and I certainly only to see it in better condition the next time I am there.

Mount Davis, PA is the highest point in the state at 3213 feet. Hiking it is easy as elevation gain…read moreis pretty negligible, and the shortest route is the high point trail about a mile in and a mile back out from the picnic area. BUT, if you want to make it a worthy trip, I suggest connecting some trails : High Point Trail, Tub Mill Run trail, Timberslide Trail, shelter Rock Road, Shelter Rock Trail, Mt. Davis Trail to Mt Davis tower for about 5 miles Then, the trip back to the car at the picnic area is via the High Point Trail for a mere mile. I found the best resource for connecting these trails was from the book "50 Hikes" in Western Pennsylvania" by Tom Thwaites. And, it pained me as a book lover, but I did tear out those pages to have with me on my trek. They were invaluable. All along every trail are Rhododendron. This would be a glorious hike when they are in bloom. As it was, my trek was late April under sunny skies and 80 degree weather. It was a very pretty hike with a bit of babbling streams and even a natural hot spring. I went on a Monday and didn't see a single soul. Solitude and nature at its best.

Y'all, ignore the address of this page. I have attempted, on several occasions, to have the…read moreaddress updated. The address listed is for a location that is about 45 miles away. If you are attempting to find your way here just type in Mount Davis, Elk Lick Township, PA, 15558. This will take your directly to the area, trust me. There is no higher ground in Pennsylvania than Mt. Davis, literally. It is the highest point in the state, and that is not very high compared to other states, 3,213 feet. The area is located in Forbes State Forest. Mt. Davis Observation Area is a nice area to visit. Listen to me when I say this, do NOT visit this place when there is snow on the ground. You will get stuck, and you will regret it. I definitely did, even with my all wheel drive vehicle. I got stuck and thankfully was helped out by other people that were stuck. When it is nicer out, this is a great place to visit. Once you park in the lot there are several different ways to approach the observation tower. All of this is marked by paths and plagues everywhere. If you are afraid of heights or tight spaces, the observation tower is not for your. It can be a bit dizzying and if someone is coming down, you need to wait for your turn. It is not a staircase that you can step to the side. Once you take in the view from atop the observation tower there is a nearby area that gives you some history of the area and some fun facts. It's a great natural area in Pennsylvania.

This is a gorgeous trail. It is very easy and you can walk as far as you want. The trail is well…read moremaintained (mostly crushed gravel) and a fun place to go for a walk, run, or bike ride. You will see beautiful forest areas along the way.

Well another biking milestone for yours truly and her husband Rick. We did the entire 60+ mile…read moreround trip between Black Lick and Ebensburg on the Ghost Town Trail! It took all day, I'm still saddle sore and my leg muscles ache a little, but it was totally worth it. Besides, we're building up our strengths so we can do the 120+ miles of the Great Allegheny Passage Trail between McKeesport and Cumberland, MD. There's not too much more I can write about the trail. Last year we rode the Black Lick to Nanty Glo segment of the trail and most points of interest are between those two towns. Still, the remaining segment between Nanty Glo and Ebensburg makes for a pleasant ride. I did find out a few other things about the trail since the last time we rode it. Just east of Black Lick, the trail passes a salvage yard of discarded rail cars. These almost seamlessly blend into the scenery and they're altogether appropriate because this is a rails-to-trails conversion. Between Dilltown and Vintondale the creek has a bright red color because of the acid drainage from the coal mines. At several points you will exit the cool green forested surroundings and experience an "ecological disaster area", a legacy of the mining era. You'll see the remains of some slag dumps, which have an eerie beauty to them. Keep an eye out for the AMD & Art Park (AMD stands for Acid Mine Damage). One other thing to consider. This trail goes through some state game lands. During hunting season, you should wear brightly colored clothing. Riding the Ghost Town Trail can be very rewarding. Plan to take the whole day and be sure to enjoy the sights along the way.