Parks & Recreation

OUTDOORS
With so many options, getting outdoors in the South Side is fun and easy. You can choose from parks, playgrounds, swimming pools, trails, city steps, and much more…

PARKS AND PLAYGROUNDS
South Side Riverfront Park, entrance at 18th Street near the Monongahela River. The park features a picnic area, public boat launch, canoe launch, and a riverfront trail.
South Side Park, reached from Quarry Street (18th Street to St. Patrick to Quarry). The park features 65 acres of ballfields, walking trails, a playground, and a former ice arena.
Armstrong Playground, 12th & Sarah Streets.
Cobden Playground, on Cobden Street in the Slopes
Eleanor Street Parklet, located at Sierra & Eleanor Streets in the Slopes.
Mission Street Field, on Mission Street in the Slopes
Monongahela Playground, off of Josephine Street between Beagle and Northview in the Slopes
Ormsby Recreation Center playground, 22nd & Sidney Streets
Winters Playground, Huron Street in the Slopes

SOUTH SIDE RIVERFRONT TRAIL
The South Side Riverfront Trail entices hikers, bikers, and bladders alike. Beginning at the end of 18th Street in the South Side Riverfront Park, the five-mile trail follows the south bank of the Monongahela River. The trail extends to the east all the way to 9th Street (with a connector to Station Square to be constructed in July) and nearly reaching Homestead to the west. (No parking or access is available at this location). South Side Riverfront Park also features a picnic area, public boat launch, and canoe launch.

SWIMMING POOLS
Ormsby Recreation Center
79 S. 22nd Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15203
(412) 488-8377

Oliver Bath House (indoor)
38 S. 10th Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15203
(412) 488-8380
Both swimming pools are temporarily closed. For more information, contact Citiparks
at (412) 594-4645.

BOAT AND CANOE LAUNCHES
Make the South Side your launch point for a voyage on the Monongahela River! Both motorized and non-motorized boats can be launched at South Side Riverfront Park. A public boat ramp, managed by the City of Pittsburgh, is accessible from 18th Street. Non-motorized boats can put in upstream from the ramp in an area where the park gradually slopes to the water’s edge. The launch has plenty of parking and portable restroom facilities.

CITY STEPS

Pittsburgh “city steps” offer the opportunity to get some exercise and to do some South Side exploring. The steps lead to the top of South Side’s Slopes and offer impressive city views. A local favorite is the German Square area, which can be reached from the 10th Street footbridge on the South Side Flats. For an informative hike shared with other city adventurers, take part in the Pittsburgh StepTrek, held each year in the fall.

Pittsburgh is famous for its collection of public stairways that traverse the many hillsides around the region. Known simply as “city steps,” South Side’s more than 5,000 steps are the largest collection in the city. Mill, factory, and shop workers used to climb these stairs every day on their way to and from work. So, retrace their steps and discover South Side’s steps.

PARKING

South Side offers choices from four public parking lots or street parking. Metered street spots are free after 6 p.m. and all day Sundays. Public parking lots are enforced 24 hours a day at the following locations:

• Corner of South 18th & E. Carson Streets
• Corner of South 18th & Sidney Streets
• East Carson Street between 12th & 13th Streets
• East Carson Street between 19th & 20th Streets