When it comes to getting outside in this climate, one of your best options is traveling to a park. We explored Pleasant Ridge Park in Fairview, PA and it checks off all of the boxes for a way to get out into nature.  

Location:

Pleasant Ridge Park is located in Fairview, PA, on the west side near the border with Girard, Pa. It is located at 8271 Barker Road, Girard, PA 16417. It can easily be reached by taking U.S. Route 20 westbound until you get to the border of Girard and Fairview.

Property Description:

This park is an 80-acre recreational park with portions that include woods, trails, sports fields, and rolling fields. In addition, there is a small playground and a pavilion which can seat approximately 100 people and can be rented out.

Things to do:

The specific sports amenities include full-sized soccer fields, softball fields, a sand volleyball court, and a small playground. Also, there are ample trails to walk or run. The park is open year-round, so the hills are great for sled riding and the trails double down as cross-country skiing when snow is on the ground.

In addition, the trails, trees, and scenery make for a popular destination to anyone having pictures taken. This includes family portraits, wedding photography, senior photos, and other announcements.  

Who Can Go:

Pets are welcome at this park. It should go without saying that you are responsible for your pet, as well as cleaning up after them. While you should check to be certain before you go, we have seen horses and horseback riding on the trails in the past. The trails are made of dirt and grass, and while maintained and wide, they are not paved. They do provide for very easy walking, however, individuals requiring a flat surface may want to be aware of this before venturing too far back.

More Information:

With respect to the size of the trails, you could easily spend 30 minutes walking, but there are different trails to run and you could easily pick up a few miles in the longer loop, while also being able to take shorter routes or different paths every time you go.

One point to note. There is a drinking fountain at the entrance as well as bathrooms which are well maintained. During this current COVID crisis, bathrooms are currently closed (This blog post was written in 2020, please check the website for current bathroom operations).

In addition to the items already mentioned, this site is great for bird watching as there are many different species throughout the park. There are also deer trails, and occasionally deer can be spotted. You also won’t mistake the sound of bull frogs which can heard in the frog pond in the corner of the larger field, and also as you walk across the foot bridge.

Be aware of the basic rules before you go. Some of the basics are that the park is open from dawn until dusk. In addition, be smart. This is a community park, so clean up after yourself and your pets. And if you have any other questions, you can also contact the Fairview Parks and Recreation Authority at 814-474-5077.

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[Editor’s note: Please be aware that we are not affiliated with The Buffalo Cherry Blossom Festival in any way. This is true of all of our posts. We simply enjoy wandering around Erie as we know finding what to do in Erie, PA area can be hard.]