O’Hara Township offers well-rated schools and plenty of recreation
O’Hara Township is among the handful of suburban communities north of Pittsburgh . Deborah Sterrett, a Realtor with Re/Max Select Realty, says many come here for the area’s schools and the convenient access to commuter roads like Pennsylvania Route 28. “Even though 28 can be a little exciting sometimes, it’s still a direct route,” she says. “If you work downtown, it’s still the straightest shot there.” The township’s other draws are its amenities and events. Popular activities in this place of 9,300 people include walks on an edible trail, forest hikes and dance parties at a yacht club along the Allegheny River. “It’s a unique and vibrant township,” says township manager Julie Jakubec. “We offer a balance of natural beauty, thriving neighborhoods and a strong sense of community.”
Housing ranges from ranch-style homes to upscale Colonial Revivals
Groups of tall and mature trees surround homes located on a mix of flat and hilly lots. Although several streets here lack sidewalks, some residents still take daily neighborhood walks. The township has high-end Colonial Revivals and New Traditional homes. Other houses include ranch-style homes and bi-levels with basement-level garages. “It’s probably, generally speaking, a fairly affordable area, but there are pockets of million-dollar homes there, too,” Sterrett says. “There are different price points in the different neighborhoods.” Homes under 2,000 square feet mainly sell between $220,000 and $540,000, while several larger ones can go from $560,000 to $810,000. Some of the largest homes on the run between $900,000 and $1.4 million. There are townhouses selling from $220,000 to $650,000.
Amenities include golf, swimming, basketball and tennis
O’Hara Community Township Park is one of the area’s main outdoor and sports destinations. Its amenities include playgrounds, tennis and basketball courts and baseball fields. The park has a walking path that winds around a pond covered with beds of lily pads. During the summer, locals can cool off at the private Community Swim Club. The club neighbors the Lauri Ann West Community Center, where facilities include an indoor basketball gym with an elevated walking track and a weight room. Woodland Park has the edible trail, where walkers can pick fruits like apples, blackberries and peaches. A couple of golf courses are located right outside the township, including the private, 18-hole Fox Chapel Golf Club.
Students may attend well-rated Fox Chapel schools
The township is home to O’Hara Elementary School, which receives an A-plus from Niche. Students may then attend Dorseyville Middle and Fox Chapel Area High School, both of which get an A-plus. During the fall of 2025, the high school’s girls soccer team won a Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic League title.
Restaurants have Mexican fare, cocktails and fine Italian dining
Viva La Vida Mexican Bar & Grill serves authentic Mexican fare, mixed with a touch of Japanese and American flair. Tepache Mexican Kitchen & Bar is another option for Hispanic fare and cocktails. Patrons may dine outside, and live bands sometimes play. For wines and fine Italian dining, there’s Alta Via Ristorante. In addition to its food and drinks, people come to the Baja Bar & Grill at the Fox Chapel Yacht Club for its live bands. “It’s danceable music,” Sterrett says. “They’ll have R&B, they can have rock or they’ll have blues.” Chains in the Waterworks Shopping Plaza include a Giant Eagle grocery store, Dick’s Sporting Goods and Barnes & Noble.
Gardenfest is an annual tradition
In May, Gardenfest at O’Hara Township Community Park draws gardeners seeking new additions for their landscaping. Avid gardeners can get hanging and floral baskets, have their tools sharpened and share tips with their peers. Succulents, carnivorous plants and tomatoes are just a few of the items sold at the festival.
Route 28 leads commuters to downtown Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh Regional Transit has several bus stops in the township, while commuters who drive have direct access to Pennsylvania Route 28. The highway provides a path toward downtown Pittsburgh, 10 miles south. About 30 miles west, Pittsburgh International Airport is the region’s hub for commercial flights. Many residents live within minutes of UPMC St. Margaret, a hospital that offers services such as emergency and general surgical care.
Flooding is a risk
The township faces some flood risks due to the Allegheny River and some of the area’s smaller streams. However, retention ponds are used to address the issue. “We are very proactive in that,” Jakubec says, adding that they’ve even recently planted dogwood trees in the retention ponds to further help with prevention. “We’re actually doing a lot of it to help our downstream communities.”
![Anna Dukovich]()
Photography Contributed By
Anna Dukovich
