10 Ways to Enjoy Your County Parks in 2020

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10 Ways to Enjoy Your Parks in 2020

No matter what goals you set in 2020, the 9 Allegheny County Parks will help you get there! Parks make us healthier, happier and more relaxed. Just ask the people who make 22 million visits to the Allegheny County Parks every year!

1. Try "forest bathing." The simple act of immersing yourself in nature is recuperative from the noise and distractions of everyday life. Learn more about the benefits and find your bliss in any of your 9 County Parks.

2. Hit the trails! You'll find trails for all abilities and levels throughout the Allegheny County Parks. Go to your app store and download the Allegheny County Trail app today to find the best trail for you!

3. Snap a photo. Winter park scenes can be just as captivating as spring landscapes. Grab a camera and head outside. Share your photos if you'd like us to feature them in our newsletter.

4. Take a class. Allegheny County Parks offers classes, programs and activities for all ages and abilities. This is a chance to try a new activity, learn a new skill and visit a new park! Browse the catalog .

5. Sip a brew at Pour at the Parks. Twice each year, the Parks Foundation gathers brew and spirit lovers for a family friendly evening of tastings for a great cause, benefiting projects in all 9 parks. Mark your calendars for Pour at the Park: South Park on Saturday, May 30 and Pour at the Park: North Park on Friday, September 11 . (Tickets on sale soon!)

6. Go eagle-watching. Have you heard about the eagles making their home in North Park ? Find them off Kummer Road near the aptly named Eagle's Nest shelter.

7. Take a waterfall selfie. And get in some exercise along the way. The new Waterfall Trail at Settlers Cabin Park ends with a picture perfect natural water display.

8. Try snowshoeing. Allegheny County Park Rangers are offering a low cost way to conquer the winter blues. Strap on some snowshoes and rev up your circulation for just $10. Classes are offered in January and February at Boyce Park . Registration is required.

9. Join the world's largest treasure hunt! Geocaching is a popular, year-round activity that's perfect for all ages. Download the app and plot your course in your favorite County Park. You'll never know what goodies you'll find at the end of the rainbow!

10. Stop hibernating. Your 9 County Parks are open 365 days a year! Visit the playground at Deer Lakes Park . Try ice skating at South Park and North Park . Rent a shelter for a summer picnic. Quack with the ducks at Round Hill Park.

Thank you for supporting the Allegheny County Parks Foundation.

Whether you planted a tree in a county park like these folks at Hartwood Acres Park, shared your nature photos with us, attended one of our events or donated to our annual fund, we want to take this moment to say a heartfelt thank you to you! Your generosity of time, talent and funds help us preserve what you love most about your County Parks. The Parks Foundation has an exciting year planned of projects and plantings, all made possible because of your support.

Project Update

The Allegheny County Parks Foundation has closed the funding gap for the Cascades restoration project in South Park and is working with Allegheny County to begin construction in 2020.

The Parks Foundation received two recent grants for the restoration of the historic Cascades : the Richard King Mellon Foundation provided $125,000 and the Allegheny Foundation provided $250,000. Additionally, our project fundraising partners, the Pittsburgh Penguins Foundation, received $250,000 from the Colcom Foundation designated for this project. The Parks Foundation also received generous donations from individuals and the Friends of South Park.

With funding complete, Allegheny County will seek final approval of the submitted permits and will publicly bid and contract for the construction phase. Groundbreaking will take place once the construction contractor has been secured.

Learn more.

Do you shop on Amazon?

Whenever you make a purchase on Amazon Smile , select the Allegheny County Parks Foundation as your charity recipient. At no cost to you, the AmazonSmile Foundation will make a donation to the Parks Foundation! It's a simple click away.

Boyce Park | Deer Lakes Park | Harrison Hills Park | Hartwood Acres Park

North Park | Round Hill Park | Settlers Cabin Park | South Park | White Oak Park

Allegheny County Parks Foundation | 675 Old Frankstown Road | Pittsburgh, PA 15239

info@acparksfoundation.org | acparksfoundation.org | 724.327.7627