Allegheny Commons, Municipal park in North Side, Pittsburgh, United States
Allegheny Commons is a municipal park on Pittsburgh's North Side made up of three connected sections: West Park, North Park, and East Park. Wide paved paths run through the grounds, passing a lake, fountains, and many benches placed beneath old trees.
The land appears in John Redick's 1784 town plan for Pittsburgh as a shared grazing area for residents. It was formally set aside as the city's first municipal park in 1867.
The National Aviary sits within West Park and lets visitors walk through large enclosures where birds from around the world fly freely overhead. It draws families and school groups throughout the year and feels like a natural part of the park rather than a separate attraction.
All three sections are easy to reach on foot from the surrounding North Side neighborhoods, and the paved paths make cycling straightforward too. Shaded spots and benches are spread throughout, so it is worth taking your time to walk the full loop.
A prison stood on these grounds from 1826 to 1880 and was used to hold soldiers during the Civil War. The building disappeared without leaving any visible trace, so visitors walking through the park today have no way of knowing where it once stood.
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