If there is something Pittsburgh has a plethora of, it will be parks. Small and big, they are everywhere. But if there is one park I am sure you have heard that you must absolutely take the time to visit, I am sure this be Schenley Park. It is the most iconic park after all.
But do you know that there are many more parks that can rival its beauty? Let me tell you why Schenley Park is a must-see and then enumerate you five more other parks that you must visit in this lifetime.
Schenley Park, Pittsburgh
Located at the heart of Oakland, Schenley Park is one of Pittsburg’s civic treasures. It’s mindboggling that such a serene and beautiful place can exist right in the middle of the city! Spanning 456 acres of greenery, trails, and woods, it’s a favorite place for nearby university students, outdoor lovers, and even business people who like to unwind at the end of the day.
It’s such a place for all kinds of people that major annual events are usually held there, such as races. The Vintage Grand Prix, as well as the Pittsburgh Race for the Cure, were held there. It is no ordinary park – you do not just have picnics here and enjoy the scenery, that is. Instead, you can bike, walk, hike, skate and even swim and golf! If you cannot bear leaving your dogs behind, you can even take them here as long as they are on a leash. It’s a massive park for everyone.
Summer Palace, Beijing
If you are in other parts of the world and you want to visit a park of Schenley Park’s caliber. If you’re in Asia, then head to China’s own treasure of a park. Summer Palace in Beijing is a must-see. It’s also a park right in the middle of the city that many gravitate towards – alone, with partners, with their kids. What sets Summer Palace apart from all the parks in the world is that it is literally a park made for royalty.
Home to rulers way back in the Qing Dynasty, it is the most well-preserved royal park in China. A day is not enough to explore this park. Temples and pavilions, and gardens can take you ages to explore and that is certainly not a bad thing. You can even ride a ferry that traverses across Kunming Lake.
Phoenix Park, Dublin
If you are in Europe, then head to the President of Ireland’s backyard, or Phoenix Park in Dublin. The same feature as the two massive parks we just talked about is that this is located right in the city. It is not as big as Schenley Park or Summer Palace, but it offers 22 acres of flowers and plants that you smell and look at to your heart’s content. There is also a zoo inside so it’s a 2-in-1 attraction.
Stanley Park, Vancouver
Heading to Canada? Then check out Stanley Park. Right in downtown Vancouver, entering this park allows you to see historic monuments, gardens full of greens and fresh colors, and even beaches! If you walk the path that encircles the park, which is called the Seawall, you can have grand views of the English Bay and Coal Harbour.
Ibirapuera Park, Sao Paulo
In Sao Paulo Brazil is the Ibirapuera Park. You’re truly lucky to be able to explore this 500 acres of land that houses gardens, trails, and museums. Because of its sheer size, free concerts are often staged here during Sundays.
Emmarentia Dam, Johannesburg
If you are in Africa and right in the city center of Johannesburg, then check out Emmarentia Dam and the nearby botanical gardens. They make a big green space that you can marvel the beauty of the world in. There are picnic sites, bike trails, jog paths, and flowers everywhere!
The world is truly full of beauty. If you visit different countries, one thing you should really do is check out their parks. How these attractions are maintained and have to offer always say something about the city or country. They make busy cities more livable, for one. This list is hardly exhaustive – there are so many parks in this world all worth visiting. No two parks really look exactly the same even if they have the typical features.
One more worth visiting is Crows Nest National Park in Australia. What makes this unique is that it houses Crow’s Nest Falls. Looking at how water tumbles around the granite boulders of the creek can be quite soothing.