A place on the Ohio River
Neville Island sits 8 miles east of Pittsburgh in the Ohio River, providing its inhabitants with a small town industrial environment with river views. Folks looking for work in the island’s multiple plants and businesses can purchase a home just a walk away for better prices than almost anywhere else in the region. After work, locals can walk to the local bowling alley or watch some college sports. Along with all of this, the residential third of the island gets easy access to Interstate 79, which can take drivers to nearby towns and Pittsburgh.
Ice skating at the local sports center
Folks on Neville Island live near three parks: Memorial Park, Mayernik Park and Versatile Cottage Park. Memorial Park, on the corner of Grand and Philips Avenues, is the largest with a walkway, a playground, softball fields and a picnic area. Apart from these outdoor spaces, folks can utilize some of the facilities at the Robert Morris University Island Sports Center. Dave Handson has been the center’s Executive Director ever since it opened its doors in 1998. “The goal of the center is to provide people on and around the island with a positive recreation space.” The facility has ice skating rinks, golf ranges, athletic fields and a gym all for public use.
Neville Island Bridge by car or bus
The Neville Island Bridge is the main way to and from the island. The bridge doesn't have sidewalks or bike lanes, so it's necessary to drive or take Pittsburgh’s bus route 21. The island is around 8.3 miles from downtown Pittsburgh for commuters. Handson says the drive to and from the city is consistent and quick. “I’ve never had to move out of the city because the commute is always a smooth 20 minutes,” he says.
A bungalow with river views
Neville Island’s housing resides on the western third of the land. Situated along straight streets organized in consistent grids, houses vary in style from street to street, but smaller cottage-style homes and bungalows are the most prevalent. These houses sit on narrow lots with 10-foot-long walkways from the street to the door and back yards big enough to fit a two-car garage. And some homes have boat docks that back up to the river. The price range for a home is from $90,000 to $215,000.
Dining on the island, groceries on the mainland
In order to stock up on day-to-day necessities, locals need to visit stores off the island, such as Coraopolis Cash Market, less than a mile west in the borough of Coraopolis. Dining out is an easier task with local restaurants on the island. Carmody’s Grille, Ice House Bistro, and Paradise Island Bowl are all located along Grand Avenue. Paradise Island Bowl stands out as both a bar and a bowling alley. Branding itself with a tropical island theme, the bowling alley has 24 bowling lanes, an arcade, a virtual reality station and even axe throwing. The island's big box shopping is limited with the nearest shopping mall being the Mall at Robinson, 8.3 miles south.
K-12 schooling in a single building
Students are expected to go by bus or car to nearby Coraopolis, the seat of the Cornell Public School District. Students undergo K-12 education in a single building on a cliff overlooking both towns. Named Cornell School, the facility has three entrances: an elementary school entrance for grades K-6, a junior high school entrance for grades seven through eight and a high school entrance. Despite having separate entrances, both junior high and high school students officially attend Cornell High School, which receives a 4 out of 10 from Great Schools. Classes under seventh grade are all officially under the purview of Cornell Elementary School, which Great Schools gives a 5 out of 10.
Cross the bridge to enjoy some holiday events
Coraopolis is where most Neville Islanders gather for community events. One notable celebration is the town’s Easter Egg-Stravaganza every March. The family-friendly celebration happens at the AHN Montour Sports Complex on State Avenue. Activities like Easter egg hunting, an Easter bunny meet and greet, and face painting are all on the itinerary.
Industry-caused environmental odors
Neville Island is an industrial location, with the majority of the land used by manufacturing plants, steel processing facilities and chemical companies. While this makes it easier for locals who work in these facilities to get to work, it also presents some quality-of-life challenges. One important challenge are bouts of odor, as locals of the island and nearby towns often complain about smells caused by the local plants that can range from slightly unpleasant to cough-inducing.
Photography Contributed By
Anna Dukovich
