It was quite a long walk. And now in autumn although a bit late still was pretty nice. I didnt fully explore this place. It is quite big and my feet still hurting from the walk. And when i left the usual walking path by the sunset evening a lot of deers crossed my path. Will recommend it to someone who enjoys walking in the nature. Cant recommend anything else since I just walked. I hope next time i will do something else. read more

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This park has a little something for everyone - from ball fields to kayaking to a place for lunch, people of all ages and abilities will be pleased. There's even a dog park for your furry friends. The lake is the true gem of the park, providing both beautiful views and various areas for exercise or play (bday parties and the like.) If you're in or near Allison Park, it's worth a visit - if you're not, but want to be, head over to the Park for a darn good time. read more

I love going to North Park. It's beautiful and big, and I don't know what more you could possibly want from a Pennsylvania park. Here is a summary of the random odds and ends I know about the park: Renting Pavilions/ Buildings: I had my high school graduation party at the Ranch House, and everyone agreed that it was a perfect location. The rent was low. I think it was $200 for the entire day, which wasn't bad at all. It had a giant yard, and we played kickball and softball with large teams. There was a full kitchen as well, and the caterers loved the set up. The large pavilions were around $75/day, and the small ones $25/day. If you are interested in renting, you can rent up to a year in advance. Pie Traynor Trail: Pie Traynor is around 1.5 miles, I believe. It's a shady walk along a one way street. There is one giant playground and the pool near the entrance. There are a bunch of baseball field, a large grove, many little groves, multiple small playgrounds, woodsy trails, and the main walking trail along the road. It's perfect for a short run or walk. I love walking my poodle and maltese back here because it's less congested than the lake. On the weekends, different groups often rent the area out for charity walks. The Actual Lake and Boathouse: You can rent pedal boats and, I think, canoes and kayaks as well at the boat house. Since they just cleaned up the lake, this is fun to do on a nice day. You can also fish in the lake, but they do check for permits here. It's fun to sit on a bench and read by the lake as well. Around the Lake: I ran cross country for many years around this lake. If you are just starting training, don't start here. There is a giant hill by the boathouse, and it's about five miles around. It's a pretty run, but it tends to be a bit over crowded with bikes, dogs, walkers, etc. But my friend and I always walk it after we go out to dinner and eat too much. Nature Center: This is off of the beaten path and cool. There is a map of nearby trails, including a meadow, braille trail geared to blind people (at one time, at least. It needs some maintenance now.), a stream path, pond trail, and numerous woods trails. Definitely good for little kids. They also do summer nature camps here for elementary aged kids. Ice Skating: In the winter, you can ice skate. The end. Swimming Pool: This is a really large county swimming pool. There is a water slide, and I think diving boards, as well as a kid's mushroom sprinkler thing. The pool is NOT heated so only good on a hot day. Par 3 Golf and Driving Range: Reasonable prices. Both are enjoyable and family oriented. Mini Golf: Good for kids or dates. Batting Cages: Priced reasonably. Old but totally functional. Food/Drink: There is Chub's, which will clog your arteries and take ten years off of your life in a delicious way. There is a little ice cream place and some other casual dining opportunities as well. Sometimes, there are snow cone vendors near the boat house in the summer. Go Ape: My 87 year old grandfather wants someone to take him on this ropes course. It looks cool, but I'm not willing to let him try it. If someone else will take him, let me know. Haha. read more

North Park is absolutely incredible! My husband and I have only been here twice - just to kayak - but we're intrigued by how big the park is and can't wait to come back again soon and explore more of it. However, the kayaking alone makes it worth it to come here. Though some of the Kayak Pittsburgh employees (or kids, really) are a bit young and inexperienced and frustrating, once you're on the lake, all of that frustration melts away. Kayaking here has become my husband's and my favorite summer activity and is well worth the 30-40 minute drive for us from east of the city. I can't wait to return many more times this summer. read more

North Park - Beautiful day kayaking - Parks Near Me - Allison Park, Pennsylvania

Absolutely beautiful! Clean and safe! The lake is perfect for paddling. Great place to bring children to fish, hike, bike and picnic!

North Park is wonderful. It's part of some dear childhood memories for me, riding bikes with my family and going to picnics with friends. I spent nearly every Friday night at the ice rink in junior high. In recent years I can count on running around North Park lake and having no doubt about how far I've gone. One lap = 5 miles. I recommend if you are going to do more than one lap, however, that you change directions your second trip around. The path tilts inward towards the lake ever so slightly and can beat up on your interior knee if you aren't careful. On a nice day, there are always a ton of people walking, jogging, biking, pushing strollers, fishing, you get the idea. It can get congested. And there are spots on the loop that feel way too close to traffic. This can get a bit hairy with the cars coming down Ingomar Road. Slow down, people! For the most part, though, it's a safe and beautiful place to spend some time outdoors. There are numerous events and 5Ks held in North Park every year. There is also a boathouse where you can rent kayaks or canoes to head into the water. There are tennis courts and hiking trails and a large swimming pool. And if it's summer, be sure to make a stop and see the guy selling shaved ice by the boathouse! read more

Setting the scene: It's a beautiful, sunny Sunday with clear blue skies. You are running outside on the paved trails with your significant other and pup. The surrounding trees provide you with the perfect amount of shade and out of the corner of your eyes you can see the shimmering of the sun on the lake. Can a weekend run get much better? North Park is definitely one of my favorite places to run in the summer. The only downside is it's usually crazy busy! With its abundance of pavilions and picnic tables to dine, kayaking, biking trails and restaurant, it's really not surprising...but overall it's a fantastic place to get out by yourself or with loved ones for a scenic day out! read more

Love this park. Hiking, kayaking, running walking. I always find the facilities are in good condition.

Allegheny County's largest park and a great place to work off that venti Mocha Frapp you had this afternoon. Locals have long enjoyed the refuge of the park to escape the smokey city during the steel mill's heyday and it continues to be a popular place to enjoy outdoor activities including: hiking, walking, biking, sledding, and cross-country skiing the many paved or wooded trails; picnicking, horseshoe pitching, and nature observation in the myriad of groves, shelters, and picnic areas; fishing and boating on the lake; swimming at the pool; skating at the rink; as well as team and individual sports such as golfing, baseball, softball, basketball, and football. Not to mention the horse show and exercise areas for the equestrians out there. Planning a party? It's not uncommon to find gaggles of co-workers partying their mildly soused corporate butts off in one of the 100's semi-private groves with shelters. Or rent one of the eight buildings available, set up a bar (Alcohol permits are just $30/day), cater some munchies, rent a roaster, get a DJ or set up a karaoke for some great fun. The 5 mile paved trail around the lake can seem a little crowded at times, but is a great place to stroll, jog, or bike and won't seem like work with all your senses will get to take in along the way. Young, active, and 'still in THE game'? The various ball fields are a virtual meat market in the summer months and a great place to pick up a random game, get a work out, and meet new people. Backseat canoodlers still seem to think they can find secret places to park, but their predecessor's have kept the local patrol on their toes for decades and are sure to spoil the fun with an inevitable *tap tap tap* on the window. :) There are plenty of organized social events for visitors of all ages all year round, so be sure to check the calendar on their website or give them a call for details. The tree lined roads of the park are great for a relaxing evening or weekend cruise to take in the changing of Fall's leaves or the snowy wonderland the park becomes once the lake freezes over - or my favorite to visit the Whitetail deer as they grab something to nibble in their special area of the park. As they say at the park - get lost - it's a good thing! read more

The perfect place for a 5 mile run around the lake that isn't too hilly. The park offers numerous picnic tables and shelters along with multiple playgrounds. There are many features; including tennis courts and a dog park. The only reason I did not give the park 5 stars is because of lack of signage for the trails. I have had multiple friends tell me how great north parks trails are but I have yet to see one other than the main loop around. The park is so large that it is probably my own lack of exploration and not so much signage. read more

Everyone knows North Park is awesome, but with it being huge and spread out I believe it desperately needs better signage, maps... something!! I have family that just moved here that struggled finding things and I still do myself! read more

Not the most amazing park we have been to in PGH, but it was fairly solid. Beware, once you start the circle drive, you are pretty much stuck in the go-around, and there is no real turning back, although you can cut across the hilltop. There are a lot of little pull-offs that you can pick to stop for a nice break with your kids, but there are also folks who want to hang out and blast music while having an enormous barbecue extravaganza here, so pick your spot wisely. I haven't tried the trails, so perhaps that is something to look forward to. Kids loved the playground at the pavilion we stopped at, so it was fairly good. I would say I prefer Frick Park and Schenley Park, as well as the two play areas in Squaw Valley for the kids, but North Park is a nice change of scenery, and I am sure that we will be back sometime in the future. read more

North Park has it all! Boating, fishing, hiking, walking, a swimming pool, a zip line course, tennis courts, picnic shelters, playgrounds, even a restaurant and an ice cream place! And it is very close to Wildwood Highlands for some extra fun! read more

North park is so relaxing; I LOVE IT! So many trails and activities you will never run out of things to do! There is even a restaurant for after your fun time!! read more

One of my favorite places to go for a long run or bike ride. If you start at the boathouse and run around the entire lake, its about a 4.8 mile run. If you want to go further and extend your run by going up the large hill at the end its about 5.5 miles. The park is beautiful year round. During the summer I highly recommend renting bikes or kayaking. There is always enough space for bikers and runners, but watch out for cars driving through the area. read more

Wonderful park. The dog parks are great and clean, and the lake itself is a blast. You can rent kayaks and canoes for a fun family day.

The trails are top-notch. Excellent place to go for a run, although I'd be uncomfortable with taking a child on certain parts of the loop that are rather close to traffic. Although there are plenty of perfectly safe, family-friendly playgrounds around. I saw some signs indicating the lake is stocked with trout, and I've previously had a good experience with renting kayaks from the boat house, as well. read more

North Park - View of the boathouse from the trail. - Parks Near Me - Allison Park, Pennsylvania

If you love the outdoors this is the place to be in the area. Great mountain biking trails, hiking, trail running, picnics, fishing and more! Recommend the Boathouse for eating but make sure you call ahead to check if there's a wait - usually there is! read more

I really wish I could give half because North Park is 4.5, solid. The lake loop is 5 miles of paved, great running, walking, and biking "trail". (I say "trail" because it is more road that trail). The actual trails are kept up and amazing. We have hiked just a small portion of the miles of trails and have really enjoyed it. It feels as though you have been taken out of a suburban metro area and put smack in the middle of a national park some where. Just awesome! There are tons of organized runs, pretty much every weekend. There is the dog park which our Hugo LOVES. It can get muddy but what good is it if you don't let your pup get a little dirty every now and then:). There are tennis courts and racquetball courts. There is Go Ape (which I will get to eventually) and kayaking on the lake (which is oh so worth it!). There is Over the Bar restaurant at the boat house (again I will get there) and the ice rink. There are baseball fields and the pool (the pool is huge and cheap and a wonderful way to cool off on a hot summer day) and the bathrooms and port o Johns aren't horrendous either. Overall just one awesome park (other than the speeding drivers). read more

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North Park is the biggest park in the county. It's in the North Hills region of suburbs, and has an extensive array of facilities and amenities. I mostly use the park for its hiking trails and the large dog park. The trails are mostly pretty easy, although they are not all well-marked. The dog park is spacious, and there are plans in the works for a separate dog park for small dogs (sometimes the dog park is very crowded, and occasionally there will be a dog that plays a little too rough.) There is a water fountain for the dogs at the dog park during the warmer months, and there are also pooper scooper bags in case you run out. The park also features a golf range, tennis courts, a swimming pool, canoe and kayak rentals, and a very popular ice-skating rink. There are several facilities you can rent at North Park, including picnic groves, picnic shelters, and large buildings with professional kitchens, heat, and electricity. I had my wedding in the North Park Lodge building. I don't know what the fees are to reserve the small shelters, but the fee for the lodge was surprisingly reasonable -- I think that, with the $50 alcohol permit included, the total rental fee was around $300. There's a lot of competition for the buildings, though, and you can't rent more than 11 months in advance (reservations for a given calendar year begin in January, and are first-come first-served -- if you're planning an event and want to use one of the county parks buildings, you should go to the county office building as early in the year as possible, and you should book the facility you want before signing any other contracts.) The building was in very good shape, it warmed up relatively quickly despite the chilly October morning, and everyone had a lovely time and thought the space was perfect for our rustic fall wedding. read more

I went fishing at N.Park lake one afternoon..My family and i was doing some fishing..caught a few and put them back..very small fish...we notice that the Asian people were catching fingerling fish some Bass. Crappie.. blue gill.. baby fish the fish weren't legal crappie no size limit on them but let them go so they can grow..come get them next year you cant be that hungry... they had a bucket of fish.. where is the game commissioner... read more

It's beautiful here! I've never walked or bike the trails, but driving through it is awesome! The lake is gorgeous and it's a little piece of heaven after dealing with McKnight Rd & Babcock Blvd! I've seen cute cabin rental for a party and don't forget to kayak. Its located @ Boathouse. read more

Andy baechle who runs the parks department does a sorry job of maintaining dog parks . He's a pos and a total asshole . I guess he can't get a real job so he gets a government job where he has to kiss ass. read more

My initial reaction is that North Park has something for everyone. During this particular visit, we were walking the lake loop for Walk Like MADD. The loop itself is easy to walk - although the light but frequent traffic can be a concern with a small child in tow. I noticed areas to fish (trout license required), picnic benches and pavilions, two playgrounds, tennis courts, and a small waterfall and creek. Having said that, I will definitely update my review the next time we visit! read more

One of my fav places to go weather it's just to walk/hike the trails, fish or even go to their swimming pool (which is the only public pool I'll ever go to!) north park is just generally a nice area! read more

We had a very pleasant time paddle boating on the lake this past weekend - or as some would say "pedal" boating. Either way, I was boating like a gangster. Gotta watch out for that current on the way up the lake. That was the most intense leg workout I've ever experienced. Fortunately, the shaved ice stand rejuvenated us after our time out on the water. read more

My favorite urban park in Pittsburgh. They have it all. From toddlers to elderly, there's something for everyone.

This is a lovely park to come to for many reasons! They have tons of great hiking trails, miles and miles to be walked/ran safely, beautiful scenery and wildlife, playgrounds for children, an amazing restaurant right on the water with amazing food & drinks, and so much more! read more

They have many fish in the lake. They are still small yet but they have good fishing. The walking paths are good even though they are on the side of the road. The hiking is great! They have many trails and have shelters along the trails. read more

Without a doubt one of the best local parks in Pittsburgh. The well maintained roads around the lake are well marked and cleanly paved with clean lines for cyclists and walkers. The lake attracts tons of fishermen of all ages, and the boathouse offers access to casual restaurant (Over the Bar) as well as kayaking, stand up paddle board rentals, etc. The playgrounds all appear clean and safe, with newly replaced rubber matting underneath each one. The park can be busy in the evenings and on weekends, with lots of non-profits organizing charity races etc., but do not be discouraged, there is typically plenty of parking. The loop around the lake is 5 miles, so take a stroll, rent a bike, or head up to the swimming pool on the hottest of days. It's great to see such a beautiful space so well taken care of, and most of all to see so many Pittsburgh residents making active lifestyle choices. read more

The park is huge and has many amenities!! There is something for everyone from biking, hiking, baseball, soccer, running, walking, having picnics, just relaxing, kayaking, etc. There are a few good restaurants around and many nature walks and trails. read more

We just returned from Allegheny County's North Park Ice Skating rink. The rink is outside in a beautiful wooded park setting. It is well lit at night. They resurface the ice regularly during long skating sessions. The entrance to the ice rink is through a beautiful, old stone building. They have a very nice, heated building with skate rentals, snack bar, restrooms, lockers, video games, tables and benches. Outside, they have bleachers on the patio for spectators or a safe place to rest while you catch your breath and sip some hot cocoa. They offer many public skating sessions, and their prices are the lowest in the area for admission and rental. On Wednesday evenings they offer a one price for the entire family option. The facility is well maintained, clean, and well run by nice, seasoned professionals. They also offer skating lessons, host hockey tournaments, figure skating clubs, and do birthday parties. You won't find a better deal for family fun in the winter, or a great place to take a date! Here's the link for ice skating details on the park's website: http://www.alleghenycounty.us/parks/fees/skate.aspx read more

No real bike trail where you aren't shoulder to shoulder with cars and walkers. Went to the pool today. It's supposed to open at 11:30. There didn't open until 12:30. Wasted trip. read more

We attended a rehearsal dinner picnic at one of the shelters next to the lake in North Park. Our hosts didn't give us great directions, and neither the park map, which didn't have one way streets marked as such, nor our apps were helpful in finding the venue. A key bridge in the park was unavailable due to construction, and this increased the difficulty of navigation. Even the caterer and the beer delivery guy had trouble finding the place, though they said they knew where they were going, so the food and beer were an hour late. Once there, it was a nice venue with you pump it well water and porta potties. No accessible restrooms near where we were, which was a problem for the elders who had ambulatory problems. Great for the young people and kids: plenty of room to play and talk. Lots of traffic on the road around the lake. Fireflies rose at dusk, adding ambience, and deer and turkeys were around, too. read more

This review is strictly about the pool. I make the mistake of visiting pool once a year. The is apparently the amount of time it takes me to forget that it really isn't fun. I made my yearly mistake today and regretted every minute I was there. The fun ends at the door where you aren't even allowed to bring in a bottle of water. We rented a tube only to be violently whistled by the lifeguard when my 6 year old sat on my lap in it. (ONLY ! PERSON ON A TUBE!!!) They don't allow any toys, masks, floaties, or anything that might cause a person to have fun while in the pool. I did see 1 group of kids with a tennis ball that 1 guard allowed but the next didn't. Acceptable behavior is constricted to standing, calmly in the water. Otherwise be prepared to have the guards all over you. Looking around I noticed there were 0 teens around. I grew up at this pool when there were diving boards including a 3meter board, but they have all been removed eons ago. Back then there were tons of teens around, we all hung out there but it seems they have realized there is little fun to be had there. Most of the people were like me, a single parent with a child under age 6. The kids appeared to be having fun. The good things were that it wasn't crowded despite being the nicest day Pittsburgh has seen in a while and the water appeared to be clean. The bad was the deep end was closed for some reason, and the pavement around the pool will chew your feet to pieces. My feet seriously hurt after just 3 hours there. If you go make sure you bring shoes to walk from your towel to the pool. My advice is that if you have children under age 9 they will probably have a good time. If you are looking to take a group of teens there forget it. They will be bored in about 10 minutes. read more