The Ultimate Guide to Playgrounds and Parks in the South Hills

We are lucky in the South Hills of Pittsburgh to have so many great playgrounds and parks to explore. From swings to slides, to climbing walls and water features, Pittsburgh's parks and playgrounds keep my kids active, are a great place to meet old friends (and make new friends!), and they're FREE!

I often get asked what our favorite playgrounds are, and you can find my family's picks for our top five playgrounds and parks to visit in the South Hills HERE. Below we are working on a more comprehensive guide to include as many parks in the South Hills as possible. We are making it our mission this summer to visit as many Pittsburgh parks in the South Hills as we can and share with our readers our personal experience at each as well as any details that might help you make the decision if that's a park you'd like to take your family to. Follow along with us in our IG highlights! Bookmark this page so you can come back to this list when looking for a new adventure in the South Hills this summer. 

Macaroni Kids also welcomes and values input from our readers in the South Hills and would love to view YOUR photos and reviews of any local playgrounds that you'd like to see included in our guide. Use the hashtag #macaronikidsouthhills for a chance to be featured on our social media or submit your photos and reviews HERE if you'd like to contribute to the guide!

Locations we visit and reviw are listed alphabetically; and will add to as we visit more:

Arlington Playground & Spray Park
📍 1523 Fernleaf Street | Pittsburgh, PA 15210

What we love aboout Arlington Park:
This CitiPark located in Southside is huge and has a spraypark that kids love in the summer. 

Amenities at Arlington Park:

Armstrong Park | Baldwin

Banksville Park | Banksville

Black and Gold Park AKA The Bumblebee Park

📍 Corrigan Drive | South Park, PA 

What we love about the Black And Gold Park: 

Clearly we stumbled upon this park during a week we were watching Transformers which is how the Black and Gold Park earned its nickname from my kids. It's such a spectacle that it's nearly impossible to drive down Corrigan drive without stopping to play. This large playground is fenced in for your little's safety, but lacking any frills. The lack of bathroom (but there is a port-a-john) is enough to make me turn around. I will say this is a really nice park for the younger kids and is also great if you are looking for some semi-solo adult time while your kiddo plays. Right outside the fenced-in area is the park's work out circuit equipment, so you can get your workout on while your little one is within eyesight but contained in the safety of the fence. 

Amenities at the Black and Gold Park: 

Brookline Memorial Park | Brookline

Carnegie Municipal Park | Carnegie

Casey's Clubhouse

📍 1551 Mayview Road | Upper St. Clair, PA 15241 

What we love about Casey's Clubhouse: 

Easily my personal favorite is Casey’s Clubhouse located in Boyce Mayview Park in Upper St. Clair. This amazing playground by the Township of Upper St. Clair was built on the premise that “Every child deserves the chance to play.” When you first walk up to the entrance you might notice the Robert Clemente bridge and some of the same buildings that you would see if you were attending a Bucco’s game in the city. The park is completely surrounded by a fence which is great for parents with multiple or little kiddos who like to wander. 

Casey’s Clubhouse is filled with fun for all ages. It is packed with state-of-the-art playground equipment ranging from sensory-friendly games, digital challenges, rock walls, various climbing objects, slides, slides, spinning things, more slides, more spinning things and did I mention slides? It's super inclusive and handicap accessible. My kids love that all the climbers look like actual "things" that under normal circumstances, they wouldn't be able to climb on. There are a few different water features that provide a light mist on those really hot days.

The regulation baseball Miracle League Field is a spectacle in and of itself on the right-hand side of the park. It also hosts a multipurpose field, concession stand, and clean, touch-less bathrooms (with a changing station)!!! #momwin all day! My other favorite ammenity is the covered pavilion (with electricity) that is on the opposite side of the fence. It's a great place to have lunch, get some shade or catch up on some work while the kiddos are playing. Casey's Clubhouse is open to the public year-round from dusk to dawn. 

Amenities at Casey's Clubhouse: 

Chartiers Park | Bridgeville

Cook School Park | Bridgeville

Dormont Park AKA the Wooden Park

📍 1801 Dormont Ave | Pittsburgh, PA 15216 

What we love about Dormont Park: 

Another nostalgic one for me, I remember playing at Dormont Park (or the Wooden Castle Park as we called it) as a kid for what felt like HOURS at a time! This park is so unique and really brings out the imagination in a child as they are running around embracing roles as King's and Queen's of the Kingdom. Wooden ramps take you to elevated play decks, swings, slides, things to hang on, and hide under (with a wood chip substrate). It is truly like a magical world and worth taking a trip to. Read our full review on Dormont Park HERE. 

Amenities at Dormont Park: 

Evans Park | South Park

Fairview Park | South Fayette

Grove Park | South Park

Highland Park Super Playground

📍 Pittsburgh, PA 15206

Highland Park | South Park

McLaughlin Run Park | Bridgeville

Mellon Park | Shadyside

Moore Park | Dormont

North Strabane Park

📍 Recreation Way | Canonsburg, PA 15317

What we love about North Strabane Park: 

North Strabane Park located off of 519 in Canonsburg boasts of a series of playgrounds, OPTIONS for indoor restroom use, giant pavilions to rent and fields to roam. We have hosted a few parties and picnics here, and it's hard to find a better place for celebrating wtih all the amenities. The pavilions are large, supplied with electricity, water, a grill, and a small fridge. I'm not sure if they all have them, but the McDowell Pavillion that we reserve has an amazing bar for your food and displays. There is a Disc Golf course that is fun for the entire family. Read our full review on North Strabane Park HERE.

Amenities at North Strabane Park: 

Pleasant Kingdom

📍 410 E. Bruceton Road | Pleasant Hills, PA 15236

What we love about Pleasant Kingdom: 

Located directly behind the Pleasant Hills Municipal Building in Pleasant Hills, Pleasant Kingdom is a large, wooden park that combines the fun of playground equipment with fantasy play structures that encourage imaginative play. This massive playground greets your family with a wishing well followed by an area covered with rubber flooring and low climbers that are ideal for your early walkers and toddlers. Immediately on the right is a small sprinkler feature/splash pad that  will be turned on weather permitting, during the Summer Recreation Program which runs the last week in June through the first week of August, 1:00-4:00 PM, Monday thru Friday. Make your way to the "Castle" where you will find many mazes, walkways and climbers through the wooden towers and watch your children immediately immerse themselves into this magical park. 

Amenities at Pleasant Kingdom: 

Rolling Hills Park

📍121 Rolling Hills Dr, McMurray, PA 15317

What we love about Rolling Hills Park: 

This new Peter's Townshp Park is located on the old Rolling Hills Golf Club, across the street from the new High School. The first thing that you'll notice walking up to this playground is the bright colored plastic equipment calling out to each kid who passes by. From there you can see two separate playgrounds, one designed for younger kids and one designed for kids ages 5-12. The playgrounds are separated by what might alarm some as a steep hill, but I was surprised when my 16 month old niece navigated it with ease. She also loved going down the slide from the top playground to the bottom. Before you go, download the Biba Playground app to experience the interactive features available on this playground. Stay tuned for our full review article coming soon!

Amenities at Rolling Hill Park: 

Round Hill Park | Elizabeth

Simmons Park

 📍1200 Clifton Road | Bethel Park, PA 15102

What we love about Simmons Park:

Simmons Park is nestled conveniently off Clifton Road in Bethel Park and beckons families seeking the ultimate playground experience. This expansive park caters to every age group with thoughtful amenities and a plethora of recreational options. Simmons Park boasts separate playgrounds tailored for big kids and toddlers, ensuring a safe and enjoyable space for every child. Parents can relax in shaded seating strategically positioned between the play areas, offering a central vantage point to oversee their little adventurers. Read more details about our experience at Simmons Park here. 

Ammenities at Simmons Park:

South Park | South Park

South Park Children's Playground

 📍2406-2498 Brownsville Rd | South Park Township, PA 15129

What we love about South Park Children's Park: 

Oh the nostalgia of coming to South Parks' Children's Playground! When I was a kid, this was pretty much the ONLY big park in the area and it seemed HUGE! 20 years later and they've completely remodeled it with features to appeal to all ages (and it's still huge). The Children's Playground located in South Park is an Allegheny County Park. It is a cluster of mini playgrounds all fenced in, centered around a large pavilion where you can bring your lunch. There are restrooms, water fountains, and even a sunscreen dispenser if you forgot yours (can't tell you how many times that's happened)! We went there the other day and noted their COVID Alert posted on the entrance to the park. My kids absolutely love the variety here- you have speed slides, tube slides, little slides, swings, climbers, zipline, monkey bars, hideouts, firepoles and so much more! Mama loves this park because of the padded ground and all of the trees that provide a nice shade! There is an old replica cannon at the edge of the park that seems to fascinate the kids more than the playground equipment. Let them jump up there to play and snag a photo. On your way out of the park, between April and October, you can find Wu's Shaved Ice ready to cool you down at the edge of the parking lot!

Amenities at South Park Children's Park: 

Whitewood Park | South Park

Wilson Park | South Park

Wiltshire Park

📍 108 McMurray Rd | Upper St Clair, PA 15241

What we love about Wiltshire Park: 

The playground at Wiltshire Park in Upper St. Clair was designed for kids ages 5-12 years old but has plenty of qualities that the whole family will love. The first thing you will notice as you pull up is the SLIDES- they are soooooo tall. Like, you are going to question your eyes the first time you lay sight on them. I don't mind the tall tube slide but I haven't mastered the calmness of letting my kids go down the speed slide without telling them to be careful each time they go up. They absolutely love all of the different play towers attached by wobbly bridges and accessible by ladders, rock walls, and nets. Another fun addition is the large climbing net for your littles to pretend they are Spider-Man. 

Take a walk down the path and you will find a covered pavilion, indoor bathrooms, a frog water feature and a sandbox. This park is a kid fav but requires some advance planning - proper cleanup equipment for the sand play, dry clothes and shoes from the water feature and the creek that the kids play in. 

Amenities at Wiltshire Park: 

Parks outside of the South Hills reviewed by Pittsburgh Mom's:

Anderson Playground | Schenley Park

Blue Slide Park | Beechview

Cross Country Creek Park | Avella

Deer Pit Playground | Allegheny Commons Park 

Pittsburgh Parent Park Feedback 

Please note the following has all been self-reported by readers, so venture out with some caution and creativity in case these things have changed.

Pittsburgh Parks with Mommy & Me Swings

• South Park (the wooden one across from South Park Theater and the new one)
• Simmons Park, Bethel Park
• Crafton Park
• Seventh Avenue Park, Carnegie
• Mingo Park
• McLaughlin Run Park, Bridgeville
• Boys Home Park, South Fayette
• Ohio Township Park
• Hilltop Park, Presto
• Bear Hollow Park, Murrsyville
• Murrysville Splash Pad & Playground
• Highland Park Super Playground
• Frick Park, Regent Square
• Highland Park Super Playground
• Quaill Park, Ross Township

Favorite Playgrounds Shaded Mostly by Trees or Sun Shades

• The Pirate Ship Playground at the end of Mingo (also very accessible)
• Red Park at Peterswood Park in Peters Township
• McLaughlin Run Park, Bridgeville
• Miner's Memorial Park in Bethel Park

Themed Parks Pittsburgh Kids Love

• The Pirate Ship Playground (at the end of Mingo)
• Dinosaurs - Anderson Playground (Shenley Park), Moon Park (dino fossil dig), Avalon Park (toddler park)

Do you have something to add to this list, let us know about it HERE

We hope this guide of playgrounds and parks in the South Hills of Pittsburgh helps you find -- or rediscover! -- some fun places for your family to explore. Bookmark this page so you can easily find these fun parks for your kiddos this summer. For a more comprehensive list of local parks in the South Hills (without parent feedback), check out Parks & Playground Directory. Don't forget, if you'd like to submit your own park photos and contributions, you can do that HERE. Now get those kids out to play!

You might also like Spray Parks and Splash Pads in the South Hills of Pittsburgh and our Top 5 Playgrounds and Parks in the South Hills of Pittsburgh.

or Outdoor Adventures for Kids In & Around Pittsburgh and 7 Creeks in the South Hills for Kids to Splash In!