10 Nature & Parks in Pittsburgh That You Shouldn't Miss

A green oasis in the middle of Pittsburgh’s vibrant Oakland neighborhood, Phipps has provided a world-class garden experience to its visitors since 1893. Visit to discover breathtaking seasonal flower shows and special exhibits, a nationally-recognized orchid collection, butterflies, botanical gardens, fun family activities, and much more.

Perched on the northern edge of Pittsburgh's Hill District, August Wilson Park provides a unique view of the city Before 2009, the status of August Wilson Park (formerly Cliffside Park) could have been described as lost but not forgotten. After witnessing years of the park’s decline and deterioration, residents rallied to preserve and reimagine this important community asset. The Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy is excited to present with Hill District community organizations and the City of Pittsburgh a completely renovated August Wilson Park! Opened to the public on August 6th, 2016, the new August Wilson Park features a number of improvements and an expanded view of the rivers. The park plan, designed by Environmental Planning and Design, is exemplary of the Parks Conservancy’s dedication to community input throughout the planning process. The rolling, fully accessible landscape features public art inspired by neighborhood children; an installation of vintage photographs from Pittsburgh native Charles "Teenie" Harris and the Oliver M. Kaufmann Photograph Collection; and quotations from beloved Pittsburgh playwright August Wilson. This year, the most beautiful view of the city’s landscape is free and open to all. Reimagining August Wilson Park This is the first park project to be based on the Greenprint for the Hill District, by Walter Hood Design Studio. Click here for the full Greenprint for the Hill District. The Greenprint plan envisions reconnecting Hill District residents to their unique landscape and connecting the Hill District to the city as a whole. Produced by Find the Rivers! -- a partnership of Hill House Association, Community Partners Institute, Hill District Consensus Group, and the Parks Conservancy -- the Greenprint provides a practical framework for a beautiful urban landscape around which housing, commercial development, transportation, the arts, and community services can be woven. Ultimately, it envisions the Hill as a “Village in the Woods” above the Allegheny and Monongahela rivers.

Beginning with the creation of the Babbling Brook in 2003, the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy has completed several major park improvement projects in Highland Park. The Entry Garden was restored in 2005, and in 2006 the Conservancy worked with the City of Pittsburgh to create a series of seasonal pools along Washington Boulevard.

Built in 1867 by what was then the City of Allegheny, the Northside’s Allegheny Commons is Pittsburgh’s oldest park. Known in part for being home to many of the city’s oldest trees and its wide Victorian-era promenade, Allegheny Commons has long been the front yard for several of Pittsburgh’s most socio-economically and racially diverse neighborhoods

Serving as a key strategic spot during the French and Indian War, this National Historic Landmark and park offer stunning views of the city and a variety of outdoor recreation.

Located directly south of downtown Pittsburgh, this lively neighborhood boasts an active business district in addition to scenic parks and recreational activities.

Enjoy a family experience that fosters understanding, respect, and appreciation of wildlife with a visit to the Pittsburgh Zoo. Take a trip to the Islands and get an eye to eye view of warty pigs, Philippine crocodiles, and clouded leopards. Venture into the Jungle for an Odyssey of fun where you’ll discover our giant anteater, the elusive fossa, the world’s largest rat, and the pygmy hippo. Take in the scenic bird’s-eye view of the African Savanna before heading to our aquarium and Water’s Edge, home of the impressive polar bear and playful sea otter. *Jungle Odyssey and Zoo zip line open Summer 2017.* There is so much to explore at the Zoo, we provide 77 acres of fun! The Pittsburgh Zoo is open every day of the year except Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day. Prices vary per season, so visit our website: and follow us on Facebook,and Twitter.

Amazing collection of more than 600 exotic and endangered birds from nearly every continent.

Situated in the heart of Oakland, Schenley Park has come to be Pittsburgh’s civic park. Created in 1889 with land donated by heiress Mary Schenley, the park now contains 456 acres of trails, woods, and attractions. A daily destination for university students, business-people, and outdoor enthusiasts, the park also hosts major annual events such as the Vintage Grand Prix and the Pittsburgh Race for the Cure. Visitors to Schenley Park can spend a morning at the remarkable Phipps Conservatory, enjoy lunch and a concert at the Schenley Park Cafe and Visitor Center, relax on Flagstaff Hill, play a round at the Bob O’Connor Golf Course, head to the Schenley Oval Sportsplex for ice skating or summer sports, or take a dip in the swimming pool. And of course, the trails offer a refreshing and convenient escape from the city. The Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy restored the Schenley Park Cafe and Visitor Center in 2001 and operates the space today with event and culinary partners, Eat'n Park Hospitality Group. In 2005, the Parks Conservancy worked with City of Pittsburgh crews to rehabilitate the Phipps Run stream channel that stretches from behind the Visitor Center down to Panther Hollow Lake. Restoration of the Panther Hollow Watershed is continuous, with the ultimate goal of restoring Panther Hollow Lake to a water quality that will once again allow for recreational use.

The largest of Pittsburgh's historic regional parks at 644 acres, Frick Park is also the youngest. Although Henry Clay Frick bequeathed the original 151 acres to the city in 1919, the park did not open until 1927 after additional land had been acquired. Most recently, 106 acres were annexed to the park as part of the process that created the Summerset at Frick Park housing development and restored the Nine Mile Run stream valley. Today, Frick Park stretches from its northern borders in Point Breeze down to the Monongahela River. Known as Pittsburgh’s woodland park for its extensive trails throughout steep valleys and wooded slopes, Frick Park is an ideal escape from the noise of the city. Birding enthusiasts love to visit Clayton Hill, where well over 100 species of birds have been recorded. Children flock to the famous Blue Slide Playground and learn about nature at the Frick Environmental Center. The park also features red clay tennis courts, baseball fields, and the only public lawn bowling green in Pennsylvania. The Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy has completed extensive ecological restoration work in Frick Park since the Conservancy’s first capital project in 2000, the restoration of Reynolds Street gatehouse entrance. Currently, the Parks Conservancy is working to rebuild the Frick Environmental Center to replace the burned-down structure and create an urban hub for environmental education in Pittsburgh.