IN McKeesport Spring 2020 | Page 23

Five Star Trail Lynch Field Trailhead, 526 New Alexandria Rd., Greensburg; 724.830.3950, or co.westmoreland.pa.us Honoring the municipalities of Greensburg, South Greensburg, Southwest Greensburg, Youngwood and Hempfield, this 8-mile trail is great for hiking or biking with natural scenery and historical attractions. Twin Lakes Park Twin Lakes Road, Greensburg; 724.830.3950, or co.westmoreland.pa.us On this 2.5-mile trail that borders the lower and upper Twin Lakes, you’ll enjoy views of sun-lit sparkling water. A variety of wooded trails are also available for mountain biking. Visit the website for more information. Roaring Run Watershed Canal Road, Apollo; roaringrun.org The half-hour drive to Apollo is worth every minute when you take in the beauty of Rattling Run and Roaring Run. This 650- acre recreational area features spectacular waterfalls and majestic boulders peppered with flora and fauna. There are over 12 miles of hiking and mountain biking trails available. The site is former coal mining land and an abandoned railroad, now owned by the Roaring Run Watershed Association, a nonprofit environmental organization. For more information, or ways to help maintain the area, visit the website. IN McKeesport Dead Man’s Hollow Liberty Way, McKeesport; alleghenylandtrust.org Along the Youghiogheny River, this Allegheny Land Trust nature conservation area is 440 acres, with over two miles of established hiking paths. Try the Ruins Trail, which displays the remains of the former Union Sewer Pipe Factory, or the Dead Man’s Trail which features a three-trunk sycamore tree. Great Allegheny Passage McKees Point Trailhead, 100 Fifth Avenue, McKeesport; 1.888.282.BIKE, or atatrail.org Awaiting you this spring is 150 miles of hiking and biking rail-trail between Cumberland, Md., and Pittsburgh. In Cumberland, the GAP joins the C&O Canal Towpath, creating a continuous 335 miles- long trail experience to Washington, D.C. You’ll pass picturesque rivers, lush mountain landscapes, sparkling streams and more. Renziehausen Park Rose Garden and Arboretum Eden Park Boulevard off Walnut Street, McKeesport; gardenclubofmckeesport.org Experience a feast for all of your senses at this 3.5-acre display of roses, perennials, a water pond, herb garden and butterfly garden. Maintained by the Garden Club of McKeesport, the rose garden contains 1,200 rose bushes and an additional 300 miniature rose bushes. Visit the website for more information. White Oak Park 3 Muse Lane, White Oak; 412.678.3774, or alleghenycounty.us/parks This park features 810 acres of plants that exist nowhere else in the state, including trillium, wildflowers and groundcover plants. It also offers trails for hiking and biking with challenging hills. IN Murrysville Duff Park 4500 School Road South, Murrysville; 412.327.4100, or murrysville.com Designated as a wild plant sanctuary by the Pennsylvania Dept. of Conservation and Natural Resources, this natural 148-acre paradise is perfect for hiking or mountain biking. Try the 1.5-mile Funk Trail which runs along Turtle Creek and crosses the creek twice. For more information on the trail and how to help maintain it, visit Murrysville Trail Alliance at murrysvilletrails.org. Lillian Kellman Nature Reserve 3490 Kellman Drive, Murrysville; 412.327.4100, or murrysville.com Get away from it all and spend some quality time with your dog. A hike on the wooded trails at this 56-acre reserve that borders the Skena Nature Reserve will be fun for the both of you. For info on how to help maintain this trail, visit Murrysville Trail Alliance at murrysvilletrails.org. Pleasant Valley Park 2557 Pleasant Valley Road, Murrysville; 724.327.4100, or murrysville.com Nature lovers will appreciate hiking and mountain biking through these wooded trails and old farm roads. Open fields and remote valleys await the visitor. Would you like to help build and maintain the trails for years to come? Join Pleasant Valley Park volunteers! Visit the website at pvpark.org/volunteers.htm. Townsend Park 130 Townsend Park Court, Murrysville; 724.327.4100, or murrysville.com Take in stunning views of the Laurel Mountains at an elevation of 1,340 ft. on the .65-mile hike on Heart Attack Hill Trail! This park has over four miles of hiking paths for the novice to the expert. For info, visit Murrysville Trail Alliance at murrysvilletrails.org. IN Norwin Braddock’s Trail Park 3699 Turner Valley Road, North Huntingdon; 724.863.3806, or township.north-huntingdon.pa.us Hike at this 147-acre park trail and relax while passing by a magical waterfall, with beautiful wildflowers, trees and birds. Bushy Run Battlefield 1253 Bushy Run Road, Jeannette; 724.527.5584, or bushyrunbattlefield.com Take a hike on historic grounds! Learn about this 250-acre area which was the site of a British victory over seven tribes of Indians in 1763. There are five miles of trails maintained by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission and operated by the Bushy Run Battlefield Heritage Society. For more information, visit the website. Cedar Creek Gorge Trail Loop Cedar Creek Park, 108 Evergreen Drive, Belle Vernon; 724.929.4352, or co.westmoreland.pa.us Go hiking in a natural paradise this spring! Marvel at water cascading over natural shale steps in a deep gorge cut by Cedar Creek. View the wildflowers or do some birdwatching as you explore. Coke and Coal Trail Willow Park, 153 Center Ave., Mount Pleasant; westmoreland.pa.us Mountain bike or hike along Jacobs Creek, past old coke ovens, scenic wooded areas and wildlife in Westmoreland County. This trail was built on the former Pennsylvania Railroad corridor, which was used to transport coal and coke in the early 1900s. It connects the communities of Mount Pleasant and Scottdale in Westmoreland County and is just a 20-minute drive away. Continued on next page > MCKEESPORT AREA ❘ SPRING 2020 21