Cook Township blends quiet living with turnpike access
Cook Township offers privacy at a range of tastes and budgets. This is a rural refuge full of homes that range from standard to extraordinary, that all take advantage of the green landscape, just about 60 miles southeast of Pittsburgh. The privacy here is what local Realtor Annette Ganassi of Howard Hanna Real Estate Services describes as one of the area’s biggest appeals. “And it’s convenient to the Pennsylvania Turnpike and Ligonier, Pennsylvania,” Ganassi says.
Many Cook Township homes include large yards and traditional wood fencing.
Scenic views of Cook Township highlight the rural landscape and open spaces enjoyed by residents.
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Homes range from modest ranch-styles to $3 million estates
Homes range from manufactured properties to multi-million-dollar mansions on dozens of acres. There are examples of just about everything in between, too, such as rambler-style homes, cabins and multi-story colonials. Most homes around this area line winding country roads bordered by some combination of vast, grassy property and a collection of mature trees. They tend to sell quickly when they hit the market, according to Ganassi. She says houses in Cook usually sell for prices at $400,000 and under. The pricier estates here can top $3 million and come with more than 100 acres.
Many homes in Cook Township are thoughtfully decorated to match the season.
Homes in Cook Township are often set along winding country roads with spacious yards.
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Ligonier Valley schools offer language learning and internships
Cook Township kids can attend schools in the Ligonier Valley School District, which carries an overall C-plus rating on Niche. Young students can start at the B-minus-rated R.K. Mellon Elementary, whose opportunities include French and Spanish classes. Then students can advance to Ligonier Valley Middle, which earns a C-plus and offers courses such as Family and Consumer Sciences, with instruction on everything from cooking to character building. The B-minus-rated Ligonier Valley High has an internship program for seniors in which they can work with local businesses and organizations, both local and out of town.
Students in Cook Township may begin their scholastic careers at R.K. Mellon Elementary which boasts a 13-1 student-teacher ratio.
Ligonier Valley Middle School in Cook Township serves almost 300 students in grades six through eight.
Over 450 Cook Township students attend Ligonier Valley High School.
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Natural landscapes at Linn Runn State Park and Powdermill Reserve
Cook’s landscape lends itself to opportunities for outdoor recreation. Linn Run State Park is a hotspot here. “You can hike, you can bike, you can stay in cabins, there’s fishing,” says Ganassi, who has lived throughout the Southwestern Pennsylvania area. This state park stretches 612 acres and has more than 6 miles of trails. Linn Run, and connecting Grove and Rock runs, are popular for trout fishing. The 2,200-acre Powdermill Nature Reserve features a a nature center full of exhibits and multiple trails through the forest.
Adam's Falls at Linn Run State Park features walking trails for Cook Township residents.
Powdermill Nature Preserve in Cook Township offers family-friendly nature trails and exhibits.
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Dining options include outdoor patios and lodge-style pubs
Harbor Inn Restaurant & Lounge is popular for its pizza and wings, which locals can enjoy from the outdoor patio. Foggy Mountain Lodge & Pub, situated on 40 acres, has three different sections of lodging accommodations, but also a restaurant with expansive lunch and dinner menus. Prime rib is a popular menu option. Ganassi says that people also head to the nearby boroughs of Ligonier and Donegal for dining. Out of the Fire is a well-liked spot in Donegal, where smoked salmon is one of the specialties. Locals can head to Giant Eagle in Ligonier for groceries.
Harbor Inn Restaurant and Lounge in Cook Township is a popular local spot for family dining.
Cook Township natives head to nearby Out Of The Fire Cafe in Donegal for New American classics.
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Flax Scutching Festival celebrates early Americana each fall
Ganassi notes that there are a lot of festivals in the area. One is the Flax Scutching Festival, held each September and in place since 1907. The festival is dubbed a celebration of early Americana, and the centerpiece is its live demonstrations of the process of making linen from the flax plant. The festivities include live music, homemade food and crafts.
Photography Contributed By
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Video By
Becky Gaskill
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