Schenley Park has been Around Since 1889
Mary Croghan Schenley donated over 300 acres to the City. Lucky for us, expansions have grown it to 456 acres. This may be half the size of Central Park, but Pittsburgh is far smaller than NYC. I’m still claiming bragging rights for Schenley Park.
Summer is a busy time in park with the Oval Sportsplex activities ranging from ice skating, swimming, soccer, tennis, and track. Don’t skip the cross-country trails. In July, Pittsburgh’s Vintage Grand Prix sprawls across the Bob O’Connor Golf Course. The ten day event includes car shows, obviously races, and an assortment of vendors. It’s a big deal because it is the only such race on USA city street. From their site, “The races at Schenley Park constitute the most challenging circuit in vintage racing. With stone walls, curbs, phone poles and 23 off camber turns – there is little room for error.”
We drive across town for the hiking trails and to marvel at the great view of Pittsburgh from Flagstaff Hill.
A little Schenley Park History
I love the rebellious story of Mary Schenley, heiress to her mother’s fortune, for whom the regular rules for the rich of the mid 1800s seem not to have applied. She was 15 when she ran off with a swashbuckling British Captain almost three times her age. Her widowed father wrote took her inheritance away from her, fully believing that Captain Schenley was after her money. To everyone’s surprise, their marriage lasted—bringing them seven children. Whew, that’s some commitment to an elopement!
When her father, whom had reconciled with this daughter, died, his estate was worth $50 million. Much of that in real estate. Although she didn’t live in Pittsburgh again, it’s thanks to Mary that we have this incredible park to enjoy.
When autumn arrives
In the fall, the colors of the many variety of trees creates a smorgasbord of delight. Having spent 20+ years away from Pennsylvania, the smell created by trampling on fallen, crunchy leaves drifts me back to childhood. We would make piles to dive into, outline lawn-homes using leaves as room markers, or bury each other under oodles of them. These activities kicked up the earthy, sometimes dusty, smell of multiple tree leaves blending together.
Trails we’ve meandered include:
Upper and Lower Panther Hollow Trails – 1.5 to 2 miles that snakes around and can be easy or hard, depending which direction you’re walking.
Bridle Trail’s 1.3 miles half circle reminds me of Alfred Hitchcock’s profile. It’s so named for the former stables and horse riding that took place in the part, ending in calamity with a fire in 1971.
Junction Hollow Trail skirts the western edge of the park and is 2.5 miles. There are other trails: Steve Faloon Memorial, Locust, and Lake.
More places to walk or bike ride include the roads: Overlook, Serpentine, Barlett, Darlington, and Greenfield.
The Westinghouse Memorial and Pond was dedicated in 1930. The sculptures were designed by Daniel Chester French and include one entitled, “The Spirit of American Youth.” These were a tribute to George Westinghouse and show a mechanic and an engineer.
It’s an attractive place to sit and ponder as you enjoy the Lily Pond.
Nearby Attractions
Flagstaff Hill lets you gaze across the city from Greenfield to the Pitt and Carnegie Mellon campuses. At the foot of the hill, across from Phipps Conservatory is a 1927 monument commemorating our flag. Stop and read. The Phipps Conservatory is worthwhile throughout the seasons. The artistic creativity staff and volunteers design and display through the vast glass space is always a delight.
For refreshments, pop into the 100+ year old Schenley Park Cafe and Visitor Center at Panther Hollow Road and Schenley Drive. Afterwards, take a stroll down the street, passing the Phipps Conservatory and Flagstaff Hill to the Schenley Plaza.
The Plaza, a former parking lot, is a nice hunk of green turf located in front of the Carnegie and Hillman Libraries, near Pittsburgh University’s Cathedral of Learning. It’s a nice place to grab a refreshment or see what of any number of events that happen to be going on that weekend.
It even contains a fountain in tribute to the heroine of our story, Mary Schenley.
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Schenley Park looks like a place I would love. There is something so irresistible about a path winding through the woods that calls to me over and over again.
I’m with you on that, Jeri! Show me a path with a bit of a curve at the end and I’ve got to walk down it to see what’s around the corner.
What a beautiful park, Rose Mary. Seeing nature in its beauty is one of my favourite things – just viewing the pictures you could feel the peace. Thanks for sharing. :).
Peace is a good work to use for being in nature, Lenie. I know if stress has built up, I just have to go for a walk and breathe deeply. Ah, better!
Another wonderful park. I see them, and always gives me ideas of what to do with my gardens and lawn next year.
Thank you so much for sharing.
I think of my garden, too, William, when I’m touring houses and visiting parks. If only, right?
Rose amazing pictures like always! 456 acres area of min-heaven and thank you dear for sharing the history of the place it helps me connect with the place and want to know more.
Thanks, Sushmita. It is always fun to share parts of Pittsburgh with people who are unfamiliar with it. Our worlds get smaller when we share them!
Very pretty pictures. I expected to see more changing color leaves. You know those of us who exist without seasons live for that type of thing.
And 7 children…whew! That’s a lot of child bearing.
Erica, the trees have been a bit later this year, but are glorious now. We still have a few left to bloom in the yard. Did you see the picture I put on Facebook yesterday? I’m not sure I captured all the colors.
Yes, lots of kids. Wow. One of my grandmothers had 8 and the other had 6–holy moly!
Interesting story – Mary certainly was rebellious running off with an almost 45 year old man at the age of 15. I was surprised to read on further that the marriage lasted.
300 acres is a lot of land – well probably not to those of you who live in America but I am in little England. Ideal for taking walks with family or in groups.
And she ran off to England with him, Phoenicia. Pretty bold young lady!
Three hundred acres can sound like a lot. I grew up on four acres attached to relative’s lands and state game lands. To California colleagues, it sounded palatial. To Montanan friends, it sounds piddly!
I know I’ve mentioned before that I used to go to Pittsburg on business, and my memories of the area are limited to the freeway and downtown, vastly different than the images you share with us! Thanks for showing us there is so much more beauty to Pittsburg. 🙂
Yeech to the freeway, Marquita. Terrain keeps us from building a straight road around this town and I don’t know what else keeps us from building logical highways. Most visitors will say to me: How do you drive in Pittsburgh? And I say: with lots of patience (not mine, necessarily!). Glad you enjoyed the pictures.
What a great story! I don’t think I have been to Pittsburgh although I have been to PA. Lovely photos!
It’s nice to show a newie some of the prettier and unexpected parts of Pittsburgh, Cheryl. If you have time, look at the Open Doors Pittsburgh post. Lovely pictures of the downtown architecture of this city.
My son is looking at going for a tour at Pitt so we will have to check out Flagstaff Hill when we are there. Great images too.
Have heard that the Pitt students give good tours to visitors, so hope that yours is Sabrina. There is so much to see on campus.
Thx for this fascinating post, Rose. I’ve heard of Schenley Park, but didn’t realize it was in Pittsburgh, and I’d never heard of Mary. Interesting story.
I think Mary must have been one of the most interesting women of her time, Doreen. What an adventurer to do what she did.
I love the romantic story of Mary! Where did she live? Britain?
If I ever come back to PA you will have to take me here. It looks lovely!
Yep–off to Britian with her British captain.
I have all sorts of Pittsburgh places to show you.
What a great little piece of heaven in the middle of Pittsburgh!
It truly is, Jacquie!
If you just took those images and put a headline on the post like “Views of Pittsburgh,” people would think you attached the wrong post to the headline. On my trips to Pittsburgh I’ve missed Schenley Park. Will look for it next time.
Ken, I like when my Pittsburgh posts surprise people! There’s a lot going on in the steel city.