North Park

At more than 3,000 acres, North Park is the largest in the nine-park county system. The centerpiece is the 75-acre lake, complete with vintage boathouse, built in 1934, and plenty of ways to enjoy it, from kayak rentals to fishing. The park also features golf, tennis, ice skating, platform tennis, one of the largest pools in the region, lovely wooded hiking trails and plenty of space to picnic and play.

One of the park’s most popular attractions is the five-mile loop trail around the lake. This is why the Parks Foundation is partnering with Allegheny County to improve the North Park Lake Trail – from safety measures to ways for visitors to better experience the varied ecology and wetlands.

In 2012, we worked with our partners to develop a North Park Lake Master Plan to provide a framework for park improvements and guide our efforts.

Parks Foundation Projects in North Park

Directions

North Park activities

  • Ballgames
  • Basketball
  • Birding
  • Boating
  • Fishing
  • Flag Retirement Plaza
  • Freeride Area Skills Park and Trail
  • Golf Course
  • Historic Structures: Boathouse, Fountain of Youth, Tupelo, Oakdene
  • Ice Skating and Hockey Rink
  • Latodami Nature Center
  • Marshall Island
  • Meadow
  • Non-Motorized Boating
  • North Park Lake Trail
  • Off-Leash Dog Areas
  • Over the Bar Bicycle Café
  • Pickleball/Platform Tennis
  • Pool
  • Radio Controlled Airplanes
  • Tennis
  • Trails
  • Wahdo Gwas Wetlands

North Park patio with umbrellas
North Park river
North Park pavillion
North Park bike riding
North Park tennis court
North Park joggers

 Did you know? 

  • The Latodami Barn at the North Park Nature Center was once part of a dairy farm.

  • North Park was once a Nike Missile site.

  • An observation tower, located in North Park next to the Lodge on North Ridge Road, was constructed in 1937. There are 154 steps that lead up to an observation deck with a terrazzo floor, ornamental handrail and plastered dome decorated on its underside with the sign of the Zodiac.