Booming, family-orientated community
Dynamite comes in small packages, and Russellton, 17 miles from Pittsburgh, is about to blow. “Russellton is starting to boom,” says Connie Rusek-Lichok, Associate Broker with Coldwell Banker Commercial Realty. “There are domed soccer fields, diners, an ice cream shop and a fitness center. It’s a very family-oriented town with a very good school district.” Russellton pairs the open space of the countryside with more suburban amenities like a new athletic complex and a handful of local eateries. “It has a little more of a country feel without being far out,” says Melissa Beck, real estate agent with Compass Real Estate.
Single-family homes starting at $145,000
Rural Russellton branches into long, winding roads of houses spread far apart, making it an area more easily traveled by car than on foot. Split-level and ranch-style homes sit on wide, rolling lawns beside long roadways. Homes vary in price depending on location. Homes close to Deer Lake Park range from $145,000 to $245,000, while homes near Deer Lake High School range from $260,000 to $305,000.
B-minus rated Deer Lakes School District
Deer Lakes School District receives a B-minus from Niche and serves the Russellton area. Children may attend Curtisville Primary School for kindergarten through second grade and East Union Intermediate School for third through fifth grade. Curtisville and East Union receive a B-minus. Students advance to Deer Lakes Middle School, which receives a B, and Deer Lakes High School, which receives a B-minus. Deer Lakes High School works with the A.W. Beattie Career Center, which offers 19 programs that prepare students for college and their future careers. Programs offered include Cosmetology, Culinary Arts, Health and Nursing Science and others.
Commuters use I-76 and nearby highways
Russellton is car-dependent and has little to no sidewalks. The area has access to Interstate 76, Route 28 and Route 8. The Pittsburgh-Butler Regional Airport is 17 miles away.
Shopping and dining on Little Deer Creek Road
In 2020, two local women started the Poppin’ Tags Free Store for those in need of clothes or household items. “It’s still going strong,” says Rusek-Lichok. “People drop off clothes and furniture; anyone can come get it.” Palmer Drug has a classic ice cream bar where residents may stop for a coffee or a milkshake. Deer Creek Diner is a mom-and-pop location serving breakfast and lunch. “They have Jeff Hart play his guitar there,” says Rusek-Lichok. “He’s quite good. I enjoy listening to him.” The Barnyard Coffee and Creamery offers handcrafted espresso drinks and ice cream in a barn-themed location. La Vite Ristorante is a high-end Italian restaurant serving blackened grouper and chicken Milanese in a modern industrial, date-night setting. Groceries can be found at the local SHOP ‘n SAVE.
Deer Lakes Park and No Offseason Sports
One of nine Allegheny Parks, Deer Lakes Park sits beside Russellton and spans over one thousand acres. Trails and roadways snake throughout the park leading to fishing areas, lakes, wildlife trails and picnic areas. In the center of the park is Deer Lakes Disc Golf Course, an 18-hole course and is the only disc golf course in the Allegheny County Parks system. On hot days, children play at the splash pad in Universal Park. The Wagman Observatory is owned and operated by the Amateur Astronomers Association of Pittsburgh and hosts public star-gazing events called star parties. No Offseason Sports has domed soccer fields and indoor facilities, so residents may continue to play their favorite sports throughout the year. Locals visit Deer Lakes Bowl to rent a lane or play an arcade game.
West Deer Township hosts events
Russellton is part of West Deer Township, which hosts events annually. In the summer, food trucks stop at Gibsonia Road and Family Movie Night is hosted once a month in Bairdford Park. In September, the township hosts the West Deer Festival, which includes a 5K run and a 1-mile walk to support Breast Cancer Awareness. Residents looking to attend religious services may visit East Union Presbyterian Church, Forged in Faith, Transfiguration Church and other houses of worship in the area.
Written By
Isabella Pontecorvo
Photography Contributed By
Anna Dukovich
