Parks Township

Parks, a township located 35 miles northeast of Pittsburgh, combines quiet country charm with proximity to buzzy borough living. “Parks Township has a nice rural feel, but it is close to a lot of conveniences,” says Denise Lewandowski, a Realtor with Howard Hanna Real Estate Services who lives in neighboring Vandergrift and has sold several homes in the township. “The people are very friendly, and you have a wide range of living options. You can have a small house on a small lot or a large house on tons of acreage.”

Homes are spread out among 15 mostly rural square miles, but the township features a concentration of homes cradled by the Kiskiminetas River, on the other side of which is Vandergrift, one of the area’s most active communities. The result of occupying such a location is that the township’s homes have remained a good investment. “When new houses come on the market, they go pretty quickly,” says Lewandowski. “This has been, for a long time, an affordable area. Even when the market went up, it was still affordable.” Prices occupy a wide range. “From $25,000 to $600,000,” says Lewandowski. “Prices are all over the board, and that’s unique to this area.” Renovations of frame houses and cottage-style homes are typical of the established housing, which also includes shotgun-style dwellings. Ranch-style homes and eclectic acreage homes dot the landscape as you get farther away from the river.

Students can attend a trio of well-rated schools. Kiski Area East Primary Elementary and Kiski Intermediate schools have earned a B-minus rating from Niche, and East Primary has received a 10-out-of-10 for student progress from GreatSchools. Kiski Area High School is a B-rated school by Niche that has received GreatSchools’ highest score for college readiness. The high schools offers vocational courses through the Northern Westmoreland Career & Technology Center. From culinary arts to cybersecurity to welding, programs are available for a wide variety of occupations.

Featuring easy access to the Kiski River, as it is known locally, there is no shortage of outdoor recreational options available to residents. “Access to water is always a big deal,” says Kathleen MacKinnon, a Realtor with Realty One Group Landmark who has lived in the area for almost 20 years. “There are always people launching their canoes and kayaks.” Located in nearby Kiskiminetas, the Roaring Run Trail follows the river before branching out, providing miles of hiking and nature-watching opportunities. Hunting and shooting are popular pastimes in the area, and the Parks Sportsman Township Club provides a gathering place for those interested in engaging in such pursuits. Kennedy Park in Vandergrift features multi-purpose fields for athletic activities and a playground.

When it comes to indoor activity, Vandergrift has you covered. The Casino Theatre, which opened in 1900, is run by a non-profit dedicated to maintaining its status a regional venue for the performing arts. The theatre provides year-round entertainment, including an annual Hometown Christmas event in which select residents perform for the community. In addition, “there’s a huge parade, a concert, a fabulous play and the Walk of the Bands,” says Lewandowski, adding, “there are just so many activities for people to engage in.” One of those activities is roller skating. Across the river east of Vandergrift in North Apollo is VALarena Sk8Land, an entertainment throwback that has been an area institution for more than 70 years.

The true convenience of living close to populated areas is that an array of dining options are at your fingertips. In Vandergrift, you can get coffee, pizza and wine any day of the week. But the borough’s culinary highlight is G&G, a highly rated traditional American restaurant recognized one as one of 2022’s Best of the Best by TribLive.com. “Everyone loves G&G,” says Lewandowski. “It’s third-generation family owned. There’s always a huge crowd. You get huge food portions and the prices are good.” The township’s lone eatery gets rave reviews as well, and you don’t have to book a room to enjoy the popular offerings at the Kiski River Lodge. For daily shopping and other essentials, the Hyde Park Plaza shopping center is located about 3 miles west of the township’s riverfront. It is anchored by a Giant Eagle Supermarket.

Written By

Matt Pallister

Photography Contributed By

Anna Dukovich

Video By

Curtis Newkirk