Tag Archives: frick park

Questyinz: Where can dogs swim in Pittsburgh?

A Portuguese water dog competes during a water...
Image via Wikipedia

Alona asked, “We just got a new puppy! He’s a black lab mix – and boy is this heat getting to him. Where’s a good place in or around Pittsburgh to take a dog for a swim? Thanks!”

So glad that Alona asked “in or around” as the following places are scattered all over the Pittsburgh metro area.  The good news is that there are a lot of different options to try – check out each of these until you find one that your new puppy wants to call his swimming hole of choice.  Anyone else know a great spot?  Please add your recommendations in Comments.

45 minutes from the city is Lucky Paws Pet Resort, Pittsburgh Magazine’s 2009 pick for “Best Dog Pool.”  It’s $10 for a visit or $175 for an annual pass.  Check out the website, they aren’t kidding when they say “resort,” its like the Four Seasons of dog pools.  http://www.luckypawsresort.com/dogParkAndPool.php

Another park that is in a league of their own is Misty Pines Dog Park Co. in Sewickley.  The pond that they have closes to the public when they have their dog swim classes (no joke, they have “Dock Diving”) so you will want to check the website for times. http://www.mistypinesdogpark.com/

As for parks that have pet friendly waters, there are several.  Lower Frick Park has a small fenced off area with a water feature.  It’s right off Tranquil trail.   They call it “Hot Dog Dam,” tee hee.  It’s very shady down there, so that helps too.   http://www.pittsburghparks.org/userdocs/frickmap.pdf

Northmoreland Lake in Northmoreland County Park is another option, although it’s closer to Greensburg, so it’s 25 minutes out of town.  It’s not a dog swimming hole by definition, more like they don’t oppose it.  http://www.co.westmoreland.pa.us/parks/lib/parks/forms/northmoreland_park_08_map.pdf

The following article from last fall’s Post-Gazette covers two great events for dog swimming at area pools that are usually for humans. At the end of the season, Sandcastle and the Dormont Pool allow dogs to swim for a day.  See the article for more details. http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09248/995658-62.stm

I hope this gives you and your pup some direction.  If you are lucky, maybe he’ll learn the Triple Lindy in dock diving school!  If so, please send video.


East End Microbrewery Hike

East End Brewing Company during growler hours,...Image via Wikipedia

Since the playoff game is on Friday night and hopefully Sunday – Saturday afternoon is free this weekend.  A great afternoon to combine some exercise with beer.  Check out the Venture Outdoors mircobrewery hike.

We’ll start this activity with an easy hike through Frick Park to get our bodies moving. Afterward, we’ll head over to Pittsburgh’s East End Brewing Company. Owner Scott Smith will be on hand to share the intricacies of craft brewing on a private tour of the brewery and give a taste of his latest brews. As a special bonus on this outing, you take home a half gallon “growler” of fresh beer straight from the source! Minimum age 21.

Saturday May 9, 2009 3-6pm
Frick Park

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Links Worth a Look – March 8th

Here are some links/articles/blog posts that are worth a look:

  • Ridgway Rendezvous – Chainsaw art festival! Why haven't I heard of this before? Just finished the 10th annual festival. I am putting this on the calendar for next year.
  • Pop City – Pittsburgh's Frick Park named Best Urban Escape by Get Out! magazine – Pittsburgh's 561-acre Frick Park was recently named Best Urban Escape by Get Out! magazine, a web magazine devoted to outdoor adventure in the Ohio River region.

    Bordered by Squirrel Hill, Point Breeze, Park Place, Swisshelm Park and Regent Square, the wooded park offers miles of trails for hiking, mountain biking, bird watching and cross-country skiing, and even lawn bowling.

  • Photo Essay: Pittsburgh Art In Public Places – Nice photo slide show of Pittsburgh public art from PopCity Media

Click here to see more links we like.

Seniors Only – Nature Photography Bingo

Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy logoImage via WikipediaI wanted to highlight this event for a few reasons

  • Nature Photography Bingo sounds like a great idea – Participants will be given a disposable camera and a bingo board with items found in nature, and can work alone or in groups to photograph the items and complete the boards.  At the end of the event, the ETC students will collect the cameras, print the photos, and distribute newsletters, asking participants to judge the photos based on artistic merit.  The event will be a fun, active afternoon in the park, and with fall foliage at its peak, a chance to get some great photographs.
  • Seniors are Super – I have blogged about family events, singles events so why not blog about Seniors events. Pittsburgh is a great place to retire and there are tons of great activites here for Seniors too.
  • Playground of the Future – this project is part of some of the research that CMU students are doing for the Playground of the Future. You can learn more about the project here and here.

Nature Photography Bingo
Saturday, October 25 at 1:00 p.m.
Frick Park’s Blue Slide Playground area (at the intersection of Beechwood Blvd. and Nicholson St.)

via the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy Blog Continue reading →