Allegheny Commons Park, Allegheny Center
Walking through Allegheny Commons Park may be one of the best gifts you can give yourself at any time of the year. The park contains 200+ years of “reasons” to explore, and the magnitude of its history greatly outweighs what I could cram into a social media post.
But background knowledge isn’t necessary to enjoy. Come as you are and experience the park’s power to transform the curious rambler. Its popularity as a place for recreation and relaxation slices across all spheres of life, and a person could easily spend a year, if not a lifetime, investigating every nook and cranny, slope and contour, and still be surprised. Give yourself an hour (or more; you’ll want more) and wander along the paths; in no time, the park’s gentle charm and joyful presence will work its magic.
And if you want all the juicy historical details, I recommend Allegheny City: A History of Pittsburgh’s North Side by Daniel M. Rooney and the late Carol Peterson. It’s a lively and well-researched account of the area.
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City Steps of Pittsburgh: A History & Guide explores the history of the steps and the neighborhoods in which they were built. It also includes 13 guided walks and 20+ locations worth visiting—all with detailed descriptions, directions, and resources for creating your own urban hiking adventure. All areas of Pittsburgh are represented: north, south, east, and west. The book is available through all online shops (including our publisher) and local and independent bookstores.