Marshall

Home to the best school district in the Pittsburgh area and two Native American trails, Marshall Township, 18 miles from Pittsburgh, takes pride in its rural atmosphere. “You’ll see loads of deer and wild turkeys because there’s so much green space,” says Robin Taylor, Realtor with Coldwell Banker Estate LLC. The Venango Trail was formed by buffalo herds and used as a trade route by the native tribes of the area. Later, it served an integral role in the transfer of information during the French and Indian War. The second trail is Kuskusky Path, which passes through Marshall Elementary and Marshall Middle School, part of the A-plus rated North Allegheny School District. “The primary reason people move there is because of the North Allegheny School District,” says Taylor. “The school district is ranked number one in the area.” Accessibility is another driving force in the Marshall Township area. With easy access to the Pennsylvania Turnpike and the Thorn Hill Industrial Park, residents have a short commute to work and easy access to the rest of Pennsylvania. The CAP Index crime tracking database gives this neighborhood a 2 out of 10, with the national average being 4. Homes with built-in two-car garages and long driveways sit on large, manicured lawns surrounded by maple and dogwood trees. “It’s very park-like,” says Taylor. “Where houses are not on top of each other.” Residential areas near the interstates and the industrial park have sidewalks, but those farther out do not. Homes in the area are in the Colonial Revival, Cape Cod and Tudor-inspired styles, ranging from $550,000 to $950,000. Newer builds are in the new historicism style with complex roof shapes and Craftsman-inspired elements. These homes have four to seven rooms and range from $1 million to over $2 million. “There are townhouses mixed in, too,” says Taylor. “So it’s not just high-end homes.” Townhouses in the area range from $350,000 to $450,000. Those close to the Thorn Hill Industrial Park, which houses many employers of North Allegheny County, range from $450,000 to $800,000. The North Allegheny County School District receives an A-plus rating from Niche and is listed as the best school district in the Pittsburgh area. Children attend Marshall Elementary School and Marshall Middle School and then advance to North Allegheny Senior High School. Marshall Elementary, Marshall Middle and North Allegheny all receive A-plus ratings and are also listed as the top schools in the Pittsburgh and Pennsylvania area. For commuters, the Pennsylvania Turnpike and Interstate 79 cut through Marshall Township. The area has no public transportation and is a car-dependent location. The Pittsburgh International Airport is 30 miles away for residents using I-79. The community gathers in the 157-acre Knob Hill Community Park, where residents may rent out the Elias Fry Barn for birthdays or play disc golf on the 18-hole course. In January, the township hosts a Sledding Day, where children hike to the top of a large hill and sled to its base for hot dogs and hot chocolate. Locals skate or play hockey at Baierl Ice Complex for indoor winter activities. A large portion of Marshall Township is State Game Lands 203, where residents with a hunting license may hunt, fish and trap. There is also a Public Archery Range and a Rife Range for those looking to practice their aim. Along the Interstates, residents may access Cranberry Commons, where they may grab a gourmet milkshake from the Milkshake Factory or run errands at Target and Fresh Thyme Market. At Oak Tree Place, residents may visit popular restaurants such as Chipotle or Five Guys. Closer to home, residents sip scotch and take in live music at Jergel’s Rhythm Grille. The township reinvents classic holiday celebrations by hosting Flashlight Easter Egg hunts in Knob Hill Community Park and making a Holiday Lights Scavenger Hunt, where residents find light displays throughout the area, receiving treats and other surprises along the way. The township also runs park clean-ups and has a yard waste collection service to care for its green spaces. Residents looking to attend religious services may visit the Islamic Center of Western Pennsylvania, Covenant Community Church, nearby Pittsburgh Pennsylvania Temple and others. Marshall Township recommends that residents near creeks and other bodies of water purchase flood insurance to protect themselves against flooding during heavy rainfall.