Take to the wild in one of Western Pa.'s parks

Spring officially arrives March 19, marking the end of a cold Western Pennsylvania winter and the beginning of warmer, sunnier days.

If ever there was a good time for swapping the “winter blues” for blue skies, this is it.

With schools canceled and many parents working from home during the shutdown over coronavirus pandemic concerns, it’s a good opportunity to get outside for some exercise, fresh air and fun family time.

Here are some suggestions for places to go:

Allegheny County Parks

Allegheny County offers nine parks with a variety of free outdoor options. All nine county parks remain open to the public, according to Allegheny County officials. Updated information can be found at facebook.com/AlleghenyCountyParks.

Boyce Park in Plum and Monroeville features a nature center, offering nature walks and programs for all ages. Its greenhouse and nature study center are accessible to physically/mentally challenged individuals and offer collections, a honeybee hive and hiking trails.

Each of the parks provides walking trails, ranging from North Park’s popular workout trail, a half-mile trail with chin-up bars, parallel bars, monkey bars and other workout stations, to South Park’s and Deer Lakes Park’s paved trails accessible for wheelchair navigation.

Harrison Hills Park in Natrona Heights offers walking, hiking and bridle trails, a handicapped-accessible playground, in addition to an environmental learning center, shelters, soccer fields, ponds and a birding area.

Hartwood Acres in Hampton and Indiana townships, Boyce Park and North Park also provide small “terrain” trails for mountain bikers.

Round Hill Park in Elizabeth Township features a working exhibition farm with animals that is open throughout the year. The grounds provide space for a leisurely walk to observe the farm animals in the barns or outside in pastures. Reservations for families and small groups are not required, and farm visits are free. Round Hill also has soccer fields, shelters and hiking trails.

Settlers Cabin in Collier, North Fayette and Robinson townships includes a historic log cabin, tennis courts, playgrounds and walking and hiking trails.

Located in White Oak Borough, White Oak Park features walking and hiking trails in addition to playgrounds, bocce and volleyball courts and horseshoe pits.

Deer Lakes Park in West Deer and Frazer township features three fishing lakes, an observatory, shelters, a disc golf course, playgrounds and multi-purpose field.

North Park and South Park golf courses are closed through March 26 for annual aeration and maintenance. Both parks also offer playgrounds and picnic pavilions.

Details: alleghenycounty.us

Westmoreland County Parks

Westmoreland County offers families a selection of outdoor activities at 10 parks and five trails, including hiking, boating and fishing opportunities.

Cedar Creek Park in Rostraver features a destination playground for children of all ages and physical abilities offering a variety of activities, including swings, slides and mazes, a fenced-in dog park and access to The Great Allegheny Passage. Manderino Riverfront Park provides a boat launch, fishing, hiking, biking and picnic areas.

In Mt. Pleasant Township, Mammoth Park has tennis and deck hockey courts and a skate park for bikes, inline skates and skateboards. Recreational canoeing and kayaking is permitted on Mammoth Lake beginning May 1.

Northmoreland Park in Allegheny Township has several athletic fields, tennis and basketball courts and fishing on a 17-acre lake, with canoeing and kayaking permitted from May 1, and Twin Lakes Park in Hempfield and Unity provides fishing, boat rentals and picnic and play areas.

Details: Westmoreland County Parks and Recreation, 724-830-3962 or co.westmoreland.pa.us/ parks

Pennsylvania State Parks

In addition to county parks in the region, a number of state parks are popular attractions for families to enjoy outdoor activities.

Among them is Moraine State Park in Portersville, Butler County, which offers hiking, biking, horseback riding, picnicking, swimming, boating, wildlife watching, windsurfing and fishing. Guests can explore the 3,225-acre lake in a rented pontoon boat, kayak or canoe, or tackle the 18-hole disc golf course.

Ohiopyle State Park is a popular spot for whitewater boating in the Youghiogheny River, backpacking on the Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail and biking along the Great Allegheny Passage.

Keystone State Park in Derry Township, Westmoreland County, offers camping and hiking trails, with environmental education and recreation programs starting in March.

Details: dcnr.pa.gov