Parks Department Logo
Harrison Hills Park

Raccoon cartoon character Protect Park Wildlife! Raccoon cartoon character  		 RAD Works Here Logo

Blue Arrow Park Map External Internet Link MapQuest Directions
Park Office (724) 295-3570 or

Deer Lakes Park Office

                      (724) 265-3520    

Permitting inquiries should be directed to
the Downtown Administrative Office at (412) 350-2455
Monday through Friday: 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Blue Arrow Harrison Hills Events
Blue Arrow WWW Friends of Harrison Hills - Nature Blog
Playground

   Facilities & Features
  • 500 acres with streams, waterfalls, 2 ponds
  • Wildlife Observation Blind
  • Birding Area over 180 species
  • Tree diversification over 60 species
  • Guided walks and nature camps
   Topics & Links
 
 

Harrison Hills Park in Harrison Township occupies the extreme northeast portion of Allegheny County, bordering the Allegheny River and offering a magnificent overlook in which the viewer can see three other counties -Westmoreland, Butler and Armstrong. The theme of the picnic groves and shelters is seeing birds, trees and plants: Wake Robin, Laurel, Buckeye and Overlook.

Courtesy of R. Jay Gangewere, WWW Link Carnegie Magazine

DATE

2013 EVENTS

TIME

YEAR ROUND

Check for group events offered by the Boyce Nature Center. 

Check event sponsor websites for fees, reservations, 
updates and more info about events:
WWW Friends of Harrison Hills 
WWW Venture Outdoors

JANUARY
12/26-1/19 5th Annual Christmas Tree Recycling
Parking lot at intersection of Chipmunk & Cottontail Drives
Residents can drop off trees daily from dawn to dusk. All lights, decorations, tinsel and stands must be removed from trees prior to drop-off. The trees will be mulched and used in the County parks.		 Dawn to dusk
1/5 - 3/3   Winter Natural History Tours/Walks
(Weather permitting - all ages)		  1 hr. sessions
for 12 or more,
Tues. - Sat.
 1/10 - 10/10 Native American Stories & Wildlife Activities
(Outdoor Classroom - all ages)		  2 hr. sessions
for 12 or more,
Tues. - Sat. 
1/11 - 2/1 

Winter Additions
(Weather permitting - all ages)

 1 hr. sessions
for 12 or more,
Tues. - Sat.
 1/11 - 2/8

Natural Art
(Weather permitting - all ages) 

 1 hr. sessions
for 12 or more,
Tues. - Sat.
 1/18 - 3/14

Signing & Stories
(Weather permitting - all ages) 

 1 hr. sessions
for 12 or more,
Tues. - Sat.
1/19  Monthly Meeting 
Environmental Learning Center 
WWW Friends of Harrison Hills		 10 am
1/26 Stews Hike
Environmental Learning Center 
Do you want to know our recipe for the perfect winter day? How about hiking for a couple of hours through the winter landscape and then enjoying some hearty hot stews! Sounds good, doesn’t it? We'll put in 4-5 miles at a moderate pace before returning to the ELC for two types of delicious homemade stews (one vegetarian).
$20.00 non-member / $15.00 member
WWW Venture Outdoors		 1 - 4 pm

FEBRUARY
2/9 - 2/23  Mini-Maple Steps
(Weather permitting - school groups only)		 1 hr. sessions
for 12 or more,
Wed. & Thurs.
2/16 Monthly Meeting 
Environmental Learning Center 
WWW Friends of Harrison Hills		 10 am

MARCH
3/2 Turtle Talk
Environmental Learning Center 
Turtle expert, Greg Levish, will share his knowledge about turtles and some delicious turtle soup! 
PDF Icon Event Flyer
WWW Friends of Harrison Hills  		 1 - 3 pm
3/16 Monthly Meeting 
Environmental Learning Center 
WWW Friends of Harrison Hills		 10 am
 3/21 - 4/11  Horticultural Series - "Seeding" 
(Outdoor Classroom - all ages)		  1 hr. sessions
for 12 or more,
Tues. - Sat. 

APRIL
4/6 Jump Your Garden-Seeds How to Plant, The Hows and Whys of Seed Starting
PDF Icon Event Flyer
Environmental Learning Center 
WWW Friends of Harrison Hills		 10 am - Noon
4/6 Malaysian Food Hike with Grace Clark at Environmental Learning Center
PDF Icon Event Flyer		 1 - 4 pm
4/6 - 6/1  Signing & Stories
(All ages)		 1 hr. sessions
for 12 or more,
Tues. - Sat.
 4/11 - 6/20 Spring Natural History Tours/Walks
(All ages)		 1 hr. sessions
for 12 or more,
Tues. - Sat.
 4/12 - 6/15  Senses Awakened 
(Outdoor Classroom - all ages)		 1 hr. sessions
for 12 or more,
Tues. - Sat. 
 4/13 - 5/11 Arbor Days
(All ages)		 1 hr. sessions
for 12 or more,
Tues. - Sat.
4/20 Monthly Meeting 
Environmental Learning Center 
WWW Friends of Harrison Hills		 10 am
4/21 Quest Hike Series
Advanced-level series includes a vigorous loop of about 10 miles around Park.
 WWW Link Venture Outdoors		 9 am - 3 pm
4/21 Learn to Fish Clinic
PA Fish & Boat Commission
Environmental Learning Center 
WWW Friends of Harrison Hills 
PDF Icon Event Flyer  		 1 - 5 pm
TBA Earth Day Clean Up
Environmental Learning Center 
WWW Friends of Harrison Hills		 1 - 4 pm
 4/25 - 4/27 Earth Activities
(All ages)		 1 hr. sessions
for 12 or more,
Tues. - Sat.
 4/27 - 6/15 Horticultural Series - "Transplanting"
(Outdoor Classroom - all ages)		 1 hr. sessions
for 12 or more,
Tues. - Sat. 
4/27 Secrets of Tomato Gardening with Sherry Shaffer
Environmental Learning Center		 10 am - Noon

MAY
 5/2 - 10/27 Mini-Fairy Gardens
(Greenhouse - all ages)		 2- hr. sessions
for 12 or more,
Tues. - Sat.  
5/4 Tips on How to Plant an Herb Garden with Tammy Watychowicz
at Environmental Learning Center		 1 - 3 pm
5/11 Planting a Pollinator Garden for Butterflies and More with Tammy Watychowicz
at Environmental Learning Center		 1 - 3 pm
 5/16 - 5/23  Journal Memories 
 (Outdoor Classroom - all ages)		 1 - 3 pm 
TBA WWW Three Rivers Birding Club Walk 
As you enter the park, bear right and proceed to the parking lot at the end of the road. The parking lot is near the pond. Dress for wet grass and mud. Previous spring outings have produced a nice variety of warblers, Philadelphia and Yellow-throated Vireos, Rose-breasted Grosbeaks, and Scarlet Tanagers.
More info - contact leader Jim Valimont (412-828-5338)  		 8 am
 5/9 - 10/19 Wetlands 
(All ages)		 1 hr. sessions
for 12 or more,
Tues. - Sat.
 5/16 - 9/26 Wings
(Outdoor Classroom - all ages)		 1 hr. sessions
for 12 or more,
Tues. - Sat.
  5/16 - 10/19 Environmental Children's Gardening
(Outdoor Classroom - all ages)		 2 hr. sessions
for 12 or more,
Tues. - Sat.  
5/18 Monthly Meeting 
Environmental Learning Center 
WWW Friends of Harrison Hills		 10 am
5/23 - 8/15  Beyond Borders
(Greenhouse - all ages)		 1 hr. sessions
for 12 or more,
Tues. - Sat.

JUNE
 6/6 - 6/20 Botanical Recipes
(All ages)		 1 hr. sessions
for 12 or more,
Tues. - Sat.
6/6 - 9/12  Kitchen Gardens 
(Outdoor Classroom - all ages)		 2 hr. sessions
for 12 or more,
Tues. - Sat.  
6/15 Monthly Meeting 
Environmental Learning Center 
WWW Friends of Harrison Hills		 10 am
6/22
Sat. closest
to the
Summer
Solstice		  WWW 17th Annual Rachel Carson Trail Challenge
  • Full Challenge (34 miles) -
    begins at 5:30 am in North Park
  • Homestead Challenge (17 miles)
    begins near Rachel Carson Homestead
  • Family Challenge (7 miles)
    begins from Tarentum

All challenges end at the Environmental Learning Center 
WWW Volunteers Needed!

 Times vary
6/29 Introducing Fungi, Hunting & Identification
Environmental Learning Center 
Western PA Mushroom Club		 10 am - Noon

JULY
 7/6 - 9/17 Horticultural Series - "Containers"
Greenhouse  - all ages)		 1 hr. sessions
for 12 or more,
Tues. - Sat. 
 7/11 - 7/25 Old-Thyme Herbs
(Outdoor Classroom - all ages)		 1 hr. sessions
for 12 or more,
Tues. - Sat.
7/11 - 8/22  Small & Mighty
(Outdoor Classroom - all ages)		 1 hr. sessions
for 12 or more,
Tues. - Sat.
7/13 - 9/21  Signing & Stories
(All ages)		 1 hr. sessions
for 12 or more,
Tues. - Sat.
 7/18 - 9/19 Summer Natural History Tours/Walks
(All ages)		 1 hr. sessions
for 12 or more,
Tues. - Sat.
 7/19 - 8/29 Caution Botany
(All ages)		 1 hr. sessions
for 12 or more,
Tues. - Sat.
7/20 Monthly Meeting 
Environmental Learning Center 
WWW Friends of Harrison Hills		 10 am

AUGUST
 8/1 - 9/5 Healing Treasures
(All ages)		 1 hr. sessions
for 12 or more,
Tues. - Sat.
 8/8 - 8/28 Everlasting Flowers/Sketches/Notes/Photos
(Outdoor Classroom - all ages)		 1 hr. sessions
for 12 or more,
Tues. - Sat.
8/10 Bug Hike With Entomologist with Grace Clark
Environmental Learning Center		 1 - 3 pm
8/17 Monthly Meeting
Environmental Learning Center
WWW Friends of Harrison Hills		 10 am

SEPTEMBER
9/21 Monthly Meeting
Environmental Learning Center
WWW Friends of Harrison Hills		 10 am
9/22 Whats the Buzz About Bees with Bill Kopar
Environmental Learning Center		 1 - 3 pm

OCTOBER
10/2 - 10/23  Colors, Shapes & Textures
(All ages)		 1 hr. sessions
for 12 or more,
Tues. - Sat.
 10/3 - 11/14   Autumn Natural History Tours/Walks 
(All ages)		 1 hr. sessions
for 12 or more,
Tues. - Sat. 
 10/4 - 11/14

Horticultural Series - "Collections"
(Outdoor Classroom - all ages)

 1 hr. sessions
for 12 or more,
Tues. - Sat.
10/9 - 11/9   Signing & Stories 
(Outdoor Classroom - all ages)		 1 hr. sessions
for 12 or more,
Tues. - Sat. 
10/9 - 11/13  Signs, Tracks & Homes
(All ages)		 1 hr. sessions
for 12 or more,
Tues. - Sat.
 10/10 - 10/24 Wildflower/Wildlife Habitats
(All ages)		 1 hr. sessions
for 12 or more,
Tues. - Sat.
 10/16 - 11/13 Woody Plants
(All ages)		 1 hr. sessions
for 12 or more,
Tues. - Sat.
10/19 Monthly Meeting 
Environmental Learning Center 
WWW Friends of Harrison Hills		 10 am

NOVEMBER
TBA Woodland Treasures for Holiday Decorating 
Environmental Learning Center 
Friends of Harrison Hills		 1 - 3 pm
11/17 or 11/24 Native American Art & Traditions
Environmental Learning Center		 1 - 3 pm

DECEMBER
12/14 Hibernal Stress Reduction Hike
Environmental Learning Center 
Friends of Harrison Hills		 1 - 3 pm