Highlighting McKinley Park in Pittsburgh

McKinley Park restored entrance. Photo credit: City of Pittsburgh/CitiParks

History

McKinley Park is one of the oldest parks in Pittsburgh. Yet, many Pittsburghers are unaware of its ties to the history of the city or are unsure of the park’s location. In preparation for Ultimate Play Day, Playful Pittsburgh Collaborative wanted to fill you in on all things McKinley Park.

Shelter House with Rotating Band Stand, September 20, 1937 which was demolished on June 22, 1964. Photo credit: City of Pittsburgh/CitiParks

Restoration

After years of inattention, historic stone entryways that once welcomed visitors to McKinley Park were deteriorating. With local government aid and state funding, Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy led a project to restore these historic structures.

The 2013 McKinley Park Entrance and Rain Gardens project reconnected the park to its visitors and community, improved accessibility, and preserved  important historic features: a stone wall and steps at the park entrance, which date back to the 1930s.

Amenities

The 79-acre park, which historians say gives one “a euphoric sense of the countryside,” features historic trees, basketball courts, playgrounds, a skate park, a baseball field, a senior center, and wooded hiking trails.

It is also home to a mural called “Home Court Advantage,” inspired by the positive role that the McKinley Park basketball courts have played in residents’ lives.

McKinley Park Today

McKinley Park is truly a historical site and continues to serve as a connector for the Beltzhoover community and its residents.

The park is sectioned into two separate spaces: Upper McKinley and Lower McKinley.

Upper McKinley is located at the intersection of Delmont Avenue and Amesbury Street, and is close to parking and the Activities Center. In this section, you can find basketball courts, hiking trails, and playground equipment, as well as  the Rain Gardens,which is full of flowers and other native plants that local bugs and animals love.

Lower McKinley is located along Bausman Street, just off of Route 51, and will serve as the main location of Ultimate Play Day 2023. This section of the park boasts baseball, tennis, and basketball courts, a running/walking track, playground equipment, and a skate park.

Lower McKinley also has a shelter  available for rent to park visitors.

Learn More

We invite you to listen to the McKinley Park episode of the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy’s “For The Love of Parks” podcast to learn more about the park’s history and community impact. To learn more about future park improvements, visit the Parks Conservancy website.

Also, keep an eye out for the forthcoming McKinley Park historical information being developed by Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy and Playful Pittsburgh Collaborative.

Special thanks to Nicole Stevens from Brashear Community Group, Sharlee Ellision of the Knoxville Community Council, Citiparks, and the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy for providing history information of this “southern gem” of a park.

Ultimate Play Day

And now you’re all caught up on all things McKinley Park! Be sure to take time to check out the park ahead of Ultimate Play Day.

Special thanks to Nicole Stevens from Brashear Community Group, the Knoxville Community Council, Citiparks, and the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy for providing information on this unique park.

If you have any questions about Ultimate Play Day, please email us at playfulpgh@tryingtogether.org.

Save the Date: Ultimate Play Day 2023, May 7 from 1 - 4 p.m.