Parks
Buttermilk Falls Natural Area
New Florence, PA 15944
Phone: 724-463-8636
http://www.indianacountyparks.org
This site features an impressive 45 foot waterfall and scenic woodland. The 48-acre natural area was donated to Indiana County Parks in 1995 by the Keystone-Conemaugh Group, owners of the nearby Conemaugh Generating Station. As a natural area, the site has been set aside to protect both typical and unique plant and animal communities and to protect outstanding examples of natural beauty.
Between 1931 and 1956 the property was owned by Fred McFeely, grandfather of Fred Rogers of children's television fame. McFeely, a wealthy industrialist from Latrobe, PA, utilized the property as a retreat. His estate featured a cottage, horse stables, a three car garage, outbuildings and a swimming area in the creek above the falls. Mr. Rogers often visited the site as a child. Stone foundations and retaining walls from the estate are visible at the site.Hemlock Lake
Glen Campbell, PA 15742
Phone: 724-463-8636
http://www.indianacountyparks.org
The 205 acre park, located in northeastern Indiana County in Banks Township, features a 60 acre lake with two boat launches and ares for picnicking, hunting, hiking, fishing and ice fishing. Two pavilions, at the park, are available on a first-come first-serve basis. The lake is stocked with bluegill, bass, catfish, muskellunge, walleye and northern pike. Fishermen may moor their boats at the park following regulations established by the Fish & boat Commission. Only electric motors and hand propelled boats are permitted.Memorial Park
Indiana, PA 15701
Phone: 724-463-8636
http://www.indianacountyparks.org
Although the smallest of the County Parks, Memorial Park is one of the most historic sites within Indiana County. Originally surveyed in 1774, the site was once a church cemetery. Many graves are still located in the park. During the Civil War, the site served as a hiding place for travelers of the Underground Railroad. The park's doughboy statue was erected in 1923 by a group of citizens led by Alex Stewart, father of the actor James Stewart. Nearby, is the Clark House and former Armory building, now home of the Indiana County Historical and Genealogical Society.
Pine Ridge Park
Blairsville, PA 15717
Phone: 724-463-8636
http://www.indianacountyparks.org
At 635 acres, Pine Ridge Park provides a variety of recreation options. Much of the park remains in a natural state with large stands of mature hardwoods. Tom's Run, a scenic mountain stream, intersects the park. Several miles of hiking and cross-country skiing trails traverse the park. It is also home to a 9-hole, recreational disc golf course. The Tom's Run area features picnic tables, grills, playgrounds, restrooms, and two pavilions available for rental. Pine Lodge is located in the southern portion of the park. The lodge is available for group rental and is used for reunions, meetings, weddings, receptions, and other social gatherings. Pine Lodge features a kitchen, restrooms, activity rooms, a deck and two stone fireplaces. A two-acre pond is available for catch-and-release fishing. A playground is also located near the Lodge.Saltsburg Canal Park
Saltsburg, PA 15681
Phone: 724-639-9413
http://www.visitsaltsburg.com
Running the entire length of Saltsburg Borough is a 62 foot wide section of greenway known as Saltsburg's Canal Park. The Park is located on the site of the former PA Mainline Canal that later became the PA Railroad and now overlaps a section of the West Penn Trail. Visitors will enjoy a scenic, river-view walkway enhanced by informative historic signs, a footprint of Canal lock #8, a footbridge, and benches and picnic tables for relaxing moments. Also, a section of the Park, known as North Park, now includes Saltsburg's Veterans Memorial. The water-wave paved sections of the Park between Washington and Market Streets serve as the location for setting up community special events such as vendors booths and food stands during Canal Days and Saltsburg's lighted Christmas Trees display during the month of December.
Waterworks Conservation Area
Indiana, PA 15701
Phone: 724-463-8636
http://www.indianacountyparks.org
This 10-acre site, located adjacent to Two Lick Creek, is approximately 3 miles south of Indiana, PA. The site is being developed to combine recreational opportunities with an environmental remediation project. The conservation area will include a pavilion with an observation deck, canoe and kayak launch, fishing, trail circuit around wetlands with interpretive signage, path along Two Lick Creek, public restrooms and parking area.
Yellow Creek State Park
Penn Run, PA 15765
Phone: 724-357-7913
www.DCNR.PA.gov
The 2,981-acre Yellow Creek State Park is in Indiana County along one of the first “highways” in the state, the Kittanning Path. This trail was used by the Delaware and Shawnee nations and by early settlers.
Today, visitors enjoy the sand beach, picnicking, and educational and recreational programs. The 720-acre Yellow Creek Lake is a destination for boaters and anglers. The lake and park are an important rest stop for migrating birds.
The park is named for Yellow and Little Yellow creeks, which flow into the lake. Both creeks contain yellow clay in their banks and bottoms.
Camping cottages, located near the lake-shore, each having electricity, picnic table, fire ring and a porch. The six cottages each sleep five people in bunk beds, Also available at the state park are yurts - round, canvas and wood walled tents that have a wooden floor as well as a deck, and sleep five people in bunk beds. Each yurt also has a cook stove, refrigerator, microwave oven, table, chairs, electricity, fire ring and picnic table.
