Playgrounds are fun. Playgrounds are free. Playgrounds develop kids’ Olympic-level sliding ability. Here are our favorite playgrounds in the North Hills. Try a new one – or visit them all, Tour de Parks style.
Blueberry Hill Park
This park has two playgrounds. The main one has a large covered sandbox, which provides great shade, and lots of wooden play structures and swings. There is also a small paved path around the playground that kids can ride bikes on. The entire playground is fenced in, which is also nice. Down the hill from the playground is a paved track, another great place to run/ride bikes. There’s also a lower playground next to a giant field and pavilion. And did I mention the basketball courts, ball fields, and sand volleyball courts? This park has it all. It is located on Nicholson Rd in Franklin Park.
Avonworth Community Park
We call this the wooden castle park. It’s located off of Camp Horn Road, and is set back from the road. The playground is old and wooden and it’s hard to see where your kids are, but they love it. They also love the stream that runs next to the park. It’s very shaded, which is nice on hot days.
War Memorial Park
This is probably my kids’ all time favorite park. You can find it on Blackburn Road in Sewickley, next to the Sewickley YMCA. It includes a playground for bigger kids, another one tailored for younger kids, and a small creek. We usually leave the park soaking wet and happy.
Ross Community Township Park
Located at the top of a hill, this park is usually windy and a little cooler than I think it will be. It’s located at the Ross Community Center, off of Evergreen road at the south end of McKnight (you can access it from the Big Lots parking lot). It includes a bigger kid playground and a younger kid playground and lots of swings. It’s right next to the parking lot, which can be good (no walking!) and bad (toddlers!).
Black and Gold Playground in North Park
This playground is near the pool in North Park. It is large and spread out and it’s hard to keep track of kids, which means, of course, that they love it. There are a couple different sections with playground equipment and swings. And since it’s black and gold, you’ll feel like a true Pittsburgher playing there.
Ohio Township Park
This is my favorite park for exercise. There is a small playground and a couple swings, but my favorite part is the paved path around a giant field. I believe the paved path is 1/3 mile. My older kids ride bikes and play on the playground, while I run the path with the jogging stroller. It’s nice because the entire park is set off the road, and you can see the playground from pretty much anywhere on the path. Also, behind the community building is a paved path that winds through the woods that’s perfect for a family walk or bike ride.